Effects of Fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum-Graecum) Seed Meal on Growth Performance, Haematological Indices, Lipid Profile, Liver Functions, and Immunological Response in Broiler Chickens
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Abstract
Introduction: Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seed meal is rich in bioactive phytochemicals that can enhance growth and health. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of graded dietary levels of fenugreek seed meal on growth performance, carcass traits, haematology parameters, lipid profile, liver function, and thyroid hormones in broiler chickens.
Materials and methods: A total of 256 day-old broiler chickens were divided into four dietary treatments, replicated four times with 16 chickens per replicate. The groups included the control diet (T1), diet containing 100 g/kg of fenugreek seed meal (T2), 200 g/kg of fenugreek seed meal (T3), and 300 g/kg of fenugreek seed meal (T4). The study lasted 49 days, and at the end of the study, growth performance, carcass traits, and haematological parameters were measured. Serum lipid profile, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and liver enzymes, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), were analysed. Thyroid hormones, including thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results: Fenugreek supplementation significantly improved final body weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio in T3 and T4 compared to the control group. Carcass weight and defeathered weight in supplemented groups increased compared to the control group. Haematological analysis revealed the highest haemoglobin and red blood cell (RBC) counts in T2, while T3 exhibited the lowest RBC and the highest neutrophil count. Lipid profile evaluation indicated reduced levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL, with elevated HDL in Fenugreek-supplemented groups compared to the control group. Liver function profile demonstrated decreased levels of ALP and ALT across all groups, with the lowest values observed in T4. There were no significant effects on AST among all groups. The free T3 levels were significantly increased in T3 and T4, while free T4 and TSH levels indicated no significant differences compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Dietary inclusion of 200-300 g/kg fenugreek seed meal effectively improved growth performance, carcass yield, haematological parameters, lipid metabolism, liver enzyme profile, and T3 levels in broiler chickens, highlighting its potential as a functional phytogenic feed additive in poultry production.
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