Nutritive effect of cabbage (<i>Brassica oleracea</i>) on growth, obesity, lipidaemia and haematology in broiler and pullet chickens

Abstract

Efficacy of cabbage (Brassica oleracea) for ameliorating the adverse metabolic syndrome side-effects of genetically improved growth rate in chickens was examined. Sixty-four (64) day-old birds (32 Marshall Broilers and 32 Harco Black Pullets) were randomly assigned to groups of eight genotype-matched birds in a 2-factor layout within a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Within genotype, each group was randomly assigned one of four diets (basal/control diet containing 0% cabbage, and, basal diet supplemented with 3%, 6% or 12% cabbage) for 4 weeks. All birds were fed an un-supplemented Broiler finisher diet from week 4 -8. Bodyweight and Body Mass Index (BMI) were determined weekly. Blood Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobin (Hb), White Blood Cells (WBC), Red Blood Cells (RBC), neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils and eosinophils), Total serum Cholesterol (TC), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) were determined at age 4 weeks. Irrespective of diet or age, Broilers exhibited significantly greater (p<0.05) body weight, adiposity, and lipidaemia than Pullets, and no interactions between cabbage and genotype were observed for the same traits. Dietary cabbage at 3%, irrespective of genotype significantly (p<0.05) improved body weight beyond week 5 while no significant effect was observed on body fatness as measured by BMI. Cabbage supplementation suppressed broiler eosinophil levels, indicating effects on mediators of innate immune surveillance, but did not influence any other blood haematological parameter, though Broilers exhibited higher (p<0.05) total WBC count and proportion (%) of WBC represented by neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils. In Contrast, Pullets exhibited higher RBC, PCV, and Hb, and lymphocyte and monocyte differential counts. Dietary Cabbage had a nutrigenetic effect on cholesterol: Reduced TC and LDL in Broilers in contrast to its effect in increasing the same lipids in Pullets. Cabbage however lowered HDL Cholesterol (p<0.05) in both genotypes, though the threshold of effect was higher (12%) in Pullets (3%). Thus Cabbage is effective in lowering heart disease risk through lowering of lipidaemia in Broilers, and improves bodyweight at market age (7-8 weeks) at 3% dietary supplementation level.

Determination of the Efficacy of Broccoli Sprouts Seeds on Growth, Blood Parameters, and Immunological Indicators in Experimentally Immunosuppressed Male Rats

“…Therefore, broccoli has an effective role in improving health, including body weight, and this is consistent with what was mentioned by [16]. and by the scientist [17]. which indicated that the use of broccoli by 30% leads to an increase in the weight of broiler chicken.The results showed that feeding on broccoli sprouted seed powder at a concentration of 15% and 30% led to an improvement in the weight gain rates of laboratory animals, which indicates the effect of this feeding in improving and raising the immunity of laboratory animals and reducing the effects of Sandmmun.…”

Growth Pattern and Physiological Response of Japanese Quails to Administered Aqueous Solution of Egg Lime Molasses Mixture

“…The body mass index was significantly influenced by the inclusion of ELM and this was in agreement with the reports of Akintunde et al (2021b) who observed that the inclusion of Moringa oleifera seed meal significantly influenced BMI in Yoruba Ecotype chickens and Marshall broiler chickens. Similar observations in the BMIs of broiler and pullets chickens fed cabbage were also made by Adesina and Toye (2014). However, the values obtained for BMIs in the study at starter (0.39-0.43 g/cm 2 ) and finisher (0.50-0.58 g/cm 2 ) were in proximity to the ranges reported for pullets chickens at week 4 (0.31-0.36 g/cm 2 ) and week 7 (0.48-0.56 g/cm 2 ) reported by Oludoyi and Toye (2012) and the range of 0.47-0.61 g/cm 2 reported by Akintunde et al (2021b) for Yoruba Ecotype Chickens.…”