Apparent nutrient digestibility, liver function indices and lipid profile of broiler chickens fed raw and boiled sickle pod (Senna obtusifolia) seed meal

This study was carried out to determine the apparent nutrient digestibility, liver function and lipid profile of broiler chickens fed raw and boiled Senna obtusifolia seed meal. The experiment was conducted in the Teaching and Research Farm, Department of Animal Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Three hundred and thirty (330) day old chicks were used for this study. Chicks were allotted in a complete randomized design to five (5) treatment groups with three (3) replicate having twenty birds per replicate. Five (5) experimental diets were formulated with inclusion of 5% and 10% raw and boiled S. obtusifolia seed meal each at both starter and finisher phases. Data collected were analyzed using the statistical package of SAS and differences between means were separated using Dunnett test. Results showed that there were no significant differences in most parameters measured on apparent nutrient digestibility except for ether extract. The liver enzymes parameters (ALT, AST and ALP) showed no significant differences and were within the normal range as reported in literature. Results obtained from lipid profile showed that significant (P<0.05) differences were observed in total cholesterol and HDL except for triglyceride and LDL. Birds fed 10 % BSOSM had significantly (P<0.05) higher serum cholesterol and HDL than those fed 0% SOSM. Birds fed RSOSM and BSOSM had lower triglycerides values than the control. This indicated that inclusion of S. obtusifolia seed meal in the diets of broiler chickens could reduce the risk of heart problem. It was concluded that inclusion of raw and boiled S. obtusifolia seed meal up to 10% in the diets of broiler chickens had no adverse effect on apparent nutrient digestibility and liver function. However, up to 10% inclusion of S. obtusifolia increased the cholesterol and HDL level in the serum. Lower percentage (less than 10 %) of raw and boiled S.obtusifolia seed meal should be use in the diets of broiler chickens to reduce adverse effect on cholesterol level