Ameliorative effect of vitamin c supplementation on parasitological and haematological indices in experimental Ascaridia galli infected broiler chickens
This study evaluates the effects of vitamin C administration on parasitological and haematological indices in experimental Ascaridia galli-infected, broiler chickens. Ninety-day-old broiler chicks were divided into three groups of thirty birds each. Group A (A. galli), B (A. galli + vitamin C 250 mg daily) and C (uninfected control). Each group was subdivided into two replicates with 15 chicks each. The dose of infective A. galli eggs given was 1000 orally. Blood sample was taken weekly for determination of haematological parameters. McMaster technique was carried out to determine faecal egg count. On day 47 post infection, three birds per group were humanely sacrificed to determine worm count. Results showed that, the red cell counts in the infected, supplemented group B (5.4 ± 0.8 x1012/l) birds, was significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of the infected unsupplemented group A( 3.5 ± 0.2 x1012/l) birds, but lower than the uninfected group C (5.8 ± 0.9 x1012/l) birds. Similar patterns were observed for changes of PCV, TP and Hb in the groups. Group A had significantly higher (p<0.05) white blood cell counts compared to groups B and C. At termination of the experiment on day 54, the supplemented group B had significantly lower faecal egg count (380 ± 0.0) than the unsupplemented group A (1200 ± 0.0). Similarly, the mean worm counts in group B (85 ± 1.2) was significantly lower (p<0.05) than those of group A (155 ± 1.2). In conclusion, Administration of vitamin C ameliorates the effects of Ascaridia galli infection on parasitological and haematological parameters in broilers.
Keywords: Ascaridia galli, broiler, infection, supplementation, vitamin C,
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