Activities of aqueous extracts of soursop (Annona muricata) leaves on immune response, haematology and serum biochemistry of broiler chickens

Poultry production worldwide is still challenged by diseases and researchers are continually searching for different means of combating the causative agents. Annona muricata's antiherpes and anticancer activities may be helpful in tackling Mareks disease of poultry birds. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of aqueous extract of Annona muricata leaves on the haematology, some liver enzymes, body weight gain and immuneresponse to Newcastle disease vaccination in broilers at dosages of 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg. Twenty (20) Marshall Broilers which were 35days old at the start of the experiment were used; the chicks were divided into 4 groups. The aqueous extract of Annona muricata leaves was administered orally for 14days; Blood and serum samples were collected at the beginning and end of experiment. Haematology, some liver enzymes test and haemagglutinition inhibition (HI) test against Newcastle disease vaccination was carried out. A significant (p<0.05) decreased in antibody titre against Newcastle disease vaccine was observed in only the group of birds fed with 200mg/kg of the extract. Birds fed with 200mg/kg of the extract had the highest values of packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin(Hb), red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) count but there was no significant difference (p<0.05) in these values in comparison to the control group. There was no significant difference (p<0.05) in the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) between treated and control groups. Therefore, aqueous extract of Annona muricata reduces immune response toNewcastle disease vaccine at 200mg/kg dosage but does not have any deleterious effect against the haematology and liver functions of birds fed with doses as high as 200mg/kg.Keywords: Annona muricata, haematology, serum biochemistry, immune response, chicke