Influence of dietary lanthanum oxide (La O ) on the blood characteristics and 2 3 ovarian morphometry of broiler chickens

Abstract

The use of antibiotics as feed additives in animal production has been a source of health concern. A practical approach is the supplementation of animal feeds with rare earth element. Thus, this study was carried out with 225 day – old broiler chicks (CHI strain) to evaluate the influence of dietary Lanthanum oxide (La₂O₃ ) on the blood characteristics and  ovarian morphometry. The feeding trial lasted eight weeks before the  parameters were determined. The dietary treatments were designated as T₁ , T₂ , T ₃, T₄ and T₅ . The T₁ served as  the negative control without La O while T was the positive control with antibiotic. La₂O₃ was  supplemented to T₃ , T₄ , T₃ , and T₅ at 100, 200 and 300 ppm, respectively. The  birds were  divided into five groups of 45 each and randomly assigned to the five experimental diets using a completely randomized design (CRD). Each treatment was further divided into three replicates of fifteen (15) birds each and reared in a brooding unit and later on a deep litter house. Feed and water were provided ad-libitum. Results showed that the haematological parameters were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by dietary treatments, except the differential leucocytes (eosinophils, lymphocytes and neutrophils); while in terms of the serum- biochemical indices, only cholesterol and bi-carbonate contents were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by dietary treatments. The ovarian weight was significantly  (P<0.05) influenced by dietary treatments. The results of this study suggest that dietary La₂O₃ up to 300  ppm will not adversely affect the blood (haematological and serum biochemical) characteristics and ovarian morphometry of broiler chickens.

Keywords: Broiler chickens, blood, ovary, lanthanum oxide