Haematological, Serum Biochemical and Immunological Changes Associated with the Inclusion of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Meal in the Diet of Commercial Layer Chickens

Abstract

This work examined the impact of garlic as feed-inclusion on the hematology, serum proteins and enzymes, as well as, immunity of layer chickens. Day-old Isa Brown chicks (500) were separated into four groups, A, B, C and D (with each group having three replicates of 42 or 43 each), placed in rearing and given garlic meal in feed at a rate of 0.125%, 0.25%, 0.5% and 0%, respectively. Chickens (n=10, for each group) were randomly selected and bled at 6, 13, 23, 42, 50 and 56 weeks of age for the assessment of haematological parameters, serum proteins and enzymes using standard procedures. ELISA methods were used to assess Newcastle disease (ND) and infectious bursal disease (IBD), vaccinal immune response and interferon gamma (IFN-ɣ) concentrations. Hemagglutination inhibition test was also used to determine ND vaccinal immune response. Mean values were compared using Dunnett’s test (p