_1758348877 20250920061437000 Rovedar Daryoushbabazadeh@gmail.com Rovedar Journal of World’s Poultry Science J. World's Poult. Sci. 2980-7999 06 01 2025 4 2 Jerome Unuavwogbikuomawho Unukevwere https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0475-443X Unity Daniel Osayande https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8525-264X Odu Olatunbosun https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1274-6902 Introduction: Petrochemical pollution from oil spills, gas flaring, and effluents containing heavy metals is prevalent in the oil-producing regions of Delta State, Nigeria, posing systemic health risks to humans and animals. The present study assessed the effects of crude oil exploration on laying chickens across 21 poultry farms in seven zones of Delta State, Nigeria.                                                                                                                                                   Materials and methods: Blood, egg, and tissue samples (liver and kidney) from 105 layers, comprising 15 chickens from each zone (Aniocha, Ijaw, Ika, Isoko, Itsekiri, Ukwani, and Urhobo), were analyzed for hematological, biochemical, and histological parameters.                                                                                                                                                              Results: The current findings revealed that packed cell volume (PCV) was significantly higher in Urhobo (45.56%) and Ijaw (39.22%) compared to the normal range of PCV. Hemoglobin levels ranged from 12.77 g/dL (Aniocha) to 15.46 g/dL (Ijaw), while white blood cell counts varied from 6.37 µL (Aniocha) to 8.40 µL (Urhobo). Red blood cell counts were significantly lower than the normal range from 4.01 µL (Isoko) to 5.10 µL (Urhobo). Serum albumin levels peaked in Urhobo (5.27 g/dL), whereas lower values were observed in Isoko and Ijaw farms. Alanine aminotransferase was elevated in Urhobo (43.83 IU/L), Itsekiri (38.72 IU/L), and Ukwani (44.51 IU/L), exceeding physiological norms. Cadmium concentrations exceeded permissible limits across all zones, with the highest level in Urhobo (21.032 ppm). The current findings highlighted the presence of environmental toxicity associated with oil-related pollution, signifying disruptions in blood chemistry, egg quality, and organ function in poultry.                                                                                                              Conclusion: Elevated levels of hematological and biochemical parameters beyond physiological norms pose a threat to animal health, compromise food safety, and endanger public health, underscoring the critical need for environmental monitoring and remediation in Delta State, Nigeria. 06 21 2025 21 29 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 10.58803/jwps.v4i2.70 https://jwps.rovedar.com/index.php/JWPS/article/view/70 https://jwps.rovedar.com/index.php/JWPS/article/download/70/91 https://jwps.rovedar.com/index.php/JWPS/article/download/70/91 Nwadinigwe AO, and Onyeidu EG. Bioremediation of crude oil-polluted soil using bacteria and poultry manure monitored through soybean productivity. Pol J Environ Stud. 2012; 21(1): 171-176. Available at: https://www.pjoes.com/pdf-88739-22598?filename=Bioremediation%20of%20Crude.pdf 10.1007/s13205-011-0014-8 10.1007/s10532-023-10050-5 10.12691/ajwr-5-1-3 10.4103/0300-1652.108887 10.1007/s00128-010-0062-5 10.4236/ojap.2015.41002 10.3923/ijps.2011.287.289 10.5897/AJBR12.011 Worgu CA. Heavy metal concentration in some seafood commonly consumed in selected parts of the River State. J Appl Chem Agric Res. 2000; 2: 44-47. Available at: https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=3602304 Adene DF, and Oguntade AE. The structure and importance of the commercial and village-based poultry systems in Nigeria. FAO Report. 2006. Available at: http://www.fao.org/docs/eims/upload//214281/poultrysector_nga_en.pdf 10.47115/bsagriculture.1550787 10.3390/ani12060740 10.1023/B:BEGE.0000023646.46940.2d Bancroft JD, and Gamble M. Theory and practice of histological techniques. 6th ed. Churchill livingstone, Elsevier; 2008. Available at: https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=1582193 10.1111/joa.12390 10.1007/978-1-4939-1050-2_3 10.1016/j.cvex.2014.09.012 10.51791/njap.vi.5857 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4198608/v1 10.1093/tas/txae040 10.1007/s11250-019-01949-4 10.20431/2349-0365.0603003 10.3923/ijps.2022.18.27 10.51791/njap.vi.4987 Osayande UD, and Ilaboya I. Utilization of cottonseed meal with or without phytase supplementation on performance and haematological parameters during short term feeding periods in broiler chickens. Fudma J Sci. 2024; 8(3): 184-189. Available at: https://fjs.fudutsinma.edu.ng/index.php/fjs/article/view/2319 Owosibo AO, Odetola OM, Odunsi OO, Adejinmi OO, and Lawrence-Azua OO. Growth, haematology and serum biochemistry of broilers fed probiotics based diets. Afr J Agri Res. 2013; 8(41): 5076-5081. DOI: 10.5897/AJAR2013.7593 Idowu KR, Ibigbami DJ, Idowu OPA, Adeyemo AA, Iyanda AI, and Adeyemi OA. Haematological and serum biochemical parameters of Noiler chickens fed with different biotic additives at chicks phase. Nig J of Anim Prod. 2022; 48(6): 258-266. DOI: 10.51791/njap.v48i6.3306 10.58803/jwps.v4i1.53 10.17221/1943-VETMED 10.2141/jpsa.0180118 10.1016/j.hazadv.2022.100176 10.3389/fvets.2023.1161354 10.1016/j.taap.2009.01.029 10.1080/03079459408418973 10.9734/IJBCRR/2014/7336 10.5455/javar.2021.h547 10.1016/j.envres.2011.05.013 10.3390/ani10040727 World health organization (WHO). Guidelines for drinking-water quality: Fourth edition incorporating the first and second addenda. 2022. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240045064 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2015.03.057 10.29328/journal.jsmt.1001069 10.1155/2021/6615289 10.4236/jep.2015.66055 10.1080/19338244.2020.1799182 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.06.052 10.1016/j.etap.2008.06.001 10.1039/9781849732116-00263