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Haematological and biochemical parameters of broiler chickens subjected to feed restriction during the hot-dry season and administered L-serine

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Abstract

Effects of L-serine on haematological and biochemical parameters in 120 broiler chicks subjected to feed restriction were investigated during the hot-dry season. Thirty birds each were used: group I, feed restriction; group II, feed restriction + L-serine (200 mg/kg); group III, ad libitum; and group IV, ad libitum + L-serine (200 mg/kg). Oral administration of L-serine and 20% feed restriction were performed on days 1–14 and 7–14, respectively. On days 21, 28 and 35, blood samples were evaluated for erythrocyte and leucocyte counts, erythrocytic indices, protein concentrations and activities of alanine (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Temperature-humidity index (31.25 ± 1.43) shows that broiler chickens were exposed to heat stress. Packed cell volume, erythrocyte and haemoglobin values were higher (P < 0.05) in AL + L-serine and FR + L-serine than AL or FR broiler chickens. Heterophil/lymphocyte ratio was lower (P < 0.05) in FR + L-serine than FR or AL broiler chickens. Mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin were highest (P < 0.05) in AL broiler chickens than any other group. Total protein concentration increased (P < 0.05) in FR + L-serine and AL + L-serine, compared to FR and AL broiler chickens. Activities of AST and ALT were higher (P < 0.05) in FR and AL than FR + L-serine and AL + L-serine broiler chickens. It was concluded that L-serine increased packed cell volume, erythrocyte, haemoglobin and protein values, but decreased heterophil/lymphocyte ratio and ALT and AST activities in broiler chickens, exposed to feed restriction and heat stress.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 810222, Nigeria

    Ngozi Ejum Ogbuagu, Joseph Olusegun Ayo & Tagang Aluwong

  2. Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, College of Medical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 810222, Nigeria

    Maryam Baraka Akor-Dewu

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  1. Ngozi Ejum Ogbuagu
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  2. Joseph Olusegun Ayo
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Correspondence to Ngozi Ejum Ogbuagu.

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This experiment received ethical approval from the Ahmadu Bello University Committee on Animal Use and Care, with the reference number ABUCAUC/2021/028.

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Ogbuagu, N.E., Ayo, J.O., Aluwong, T. et al. Haematological and biochemical parameters of broiler chickens subjected to feed restriction during the hot-dry season and administered L-serine. Comp Clin Pathol 31, 427–438 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-022-03342-4

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