Effect of Incorporation of Moringa Leaf Meal at Varying Levels on Serum Biochemical Profile in Japanese Quail Diets

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of moringa leaf meal (MLM) at varying levels in the diet of quails on
serum biochemical profile. One hundred and fifty day old quail chicks were randomly allotted into 5 experiment groups
(T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5) each with 3 replicates of 10 chicks. MLM was incorporated at 0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0% levels,
respectively, in the different experimental groups. All the diets formulated were iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous. At the end
of the experiment, blood was collected from 2 birds/ replicate, thus a total of 30 birds and serum was separated. Results
revealed that the albumin, calcium and phosphorus contents were increased (p<0.05), while glucose decreased (p<0.01)
with increase in the level of MLM for 0 to 6.0 % in the diet. And the values for total protein and globulin increased
(p>0.05), while triglycerides, total cholesterol and creatinine decreased (p>0.05) with linear increase of MLM in quail
diets. Further, increase (p<0.05) in HDL Cholesterol level and decrease (p>0.05) in LDL and VLDL Cholesterol levels
were recorded in serum with increased level of inclusion of MLM from 0 to 6.0 % in the diet. The present study indicated
that moringa leaf meal can be included up to 6.0 % level in the diet of quails for production of low cholesterol meat without
any adverse effects on production performance.