EFFECT OF AQUEOUS VITEX Angus-Cactus EXTRACT ON BODY WEIGHT, HAEMATOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF CHICKEN

Abstract

The current study aims to investigate the effect of the Vitex Angus-cactus leaves extract on body weight, haematological and biochemical of chicken. The chicken was divided into four groups. The first group was given orally 5mg, the second 10 mg, the third 15 mg dose of Vitex extract every day for a period of 30 days and the fourth group served as a control group. The result revealed an increase in the body weight of treated chicken by 11.76 % at a 15 mg dose of Vitex extract compared to the control group. Non-significant increase was in haemoglobin (Hb) amount and the total erythrocyte (RBC) count, while white blood cells (WBC) decreased significantly in treated chicken. The plasma aspartate aminotranseferase (AST) was decreased significantly at all doses of vitex extract and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased by 41% only at 15 mg dose of extract. The plasma urea level does not changed by treatment in comparison to the control group. The total serum testosterone was not detectable by treatment of 10 mg and 15 mg doses of Vitex extract. In conclusion, the treatment of chicken with some dose of Vitex leaf extract can improve their body weight and some haematological and biochemical parameters.