Abstract
Introduction: This study examined the effect of dietary Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MoLM) supplementation on intestinal structure vis-à-vis body weight gain
in chickens. Materials and Methods: A total of 120-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four
groups, each with three replicates, 10 birds per replicate. Broiler feed supplemented
with different quantities of MoLM, viz.: group T1 (control) - 0%, T2- 7.5%, T3- 15%
and T4- 30%, was fed to the birds for 38 days, after which six birds/group were randomly
selected and euthanized for histological work. Results: Normal histology was evident in the various intestinal components except the lamina
propria and crypts in T4 and villus muscle strands in T3 and T4 where degenerative
changes were observed. Villus height, crypt depth, muscle wall thickness and villus
area in T1 (controls) were 935.6 pm, 173.8 pm, 192.5 pm and 0.19 mm-2, respectively. Relative to the controls, an increase in the afore mentioned measurements
was noted in T2 (6.4%, 8.4%, 10.6% and 10.5%, respectively) while a reduction was
recorded in T3 (16.1°%, 10.8°%, 14.8°% and 15.8°%, respectively) and T4 (20.1°%, 14.7°%,
18.3°% and 21.1°%, respectively). Body weight gain within the feeding period increased
31.2, 37.6, 23.9 and 10.9-fold in T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Notably though,
feed intake and villus height/ crypt depth ratio were not significantly different
(p < 0.05) between dietary treatments. Conclusion: Inclusion of M. oleifera in the diet should be done in moderation as quantities ≥ 15% interfere with intestinal
structure and consequently body weight gain.
Keywords
broilers - gut - histology - leaf meal -
M. oleifera
