Effect of Eugenia jambolana and Psidium guajava leaf meal mixture supplementation on antioxidant indices and immune responses in broiler chicks

This experiment was conducted to study the effect Eugenia jambolana and Psidium guajava leaf meal mixture (LMM) supplementation on antioxidant and immune indices of broilers. One-hundred-and-twenty day-old unsexed broiler chicks were randomly distributed into 4 groups of 30 birds per treatment, each having 3 replicates (10 chicks / replicate) in an experiment based on completely randomized design (CRD). All the birds were fed standard rations to meet their nutrient requirements. Rations of the birds of groups T1, T2, T3 and T 4 were supplemented with LMM at 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 % of diet, respectively. Feed intake during 0-3, 4-6 and 0-6 weeks were significantly (P<0.05) higher in T1 followed by T2, T3 and least in T 4 groups. Weight gain during 0-3, 4-6 and 0-6 weeks of broiler chicks were significantly (P<0.05) higher in T1 as compared to T2, T3 and T4 groups. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) during 0-3 weeks among groups was statistically nonsignificant (P<0.05), while, at 4-6 weeks, it was found to be lowest in T4, whereas, during 0-6 weeks FCR was significantly (P<0.05) lower in T1 than that of other groups. LMM supplementation decreased (P<0.068) average body weight during metabolism trial in T4 than that of T1 group. Nitrogen (N) intake and retention were significantly (P<0.021, P<0.001) lower and N excretion was significantly higher (P<0. 006) in T3 and T4 than that of T1 and T2. Mean haemoglobin and packed cell volume were significantly (P<0. 034, P<0.002) higher in T1 and T2 than that of T3 and T4. The LMM supplemented groups showed better antioxidant indices (P<0.05), cell mediated (P<0.05) and humoral immune responses (P<0.05) as compared to control. It was concluded that LMM supplementation (2.5 %) improved antioxidant status, immune response and growth performance of broiler chicks.