RESPONSE OF BROILER CHICKENS TO ORAL INTAKE OF Justicia carnea LEAF AND GINGER (Zingiber officinale) RHIZOME AQUEOUS EXTRACT MIXTURE ON THE LIPID PROFILE, ELECTROLYTES AND KIDNEY FUNCTION PARAMETERS.

ABSTRACT

Eight weeks trial was carried out to investigate the effects of Justicia carnea leaf and ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizome aqueous extracts on the lipid profile, electrolytes components and kidney function parameters of broiler chickens. A total of 96 broiler chicks were used for this study. After four weeks brooding stage, the birds were randomly allotted to four treatment groups in a completely randomized design having two replicate with 12 birds each. The extracts was administered at varying concentration for three days per week, T1 (control), T2 (2.5ml), T3 (5ml) and T4 (7.5ml). At the termination of the experiment, blood was collected and taken for analysis. Blood were collected from two birds each per replicate to determine serum biochemical response. The result obtained showed the effect of Justicia carnea and ginger rhizome aqueous extracts administered to broiler chickens, which reveals that there were no significant difference (p>0.05) in the electrolytes (Cl^-, Na⁺, K⁺ and HCO₃) and kidney function parameters (urea and creatinine) but there was significant difference (p<0.05) in glucose. Results also shows that the lipid profile of the broiler chickens were not significantly different (p>0.05) in the High Density Lipoprotein, Low Density Lipoprotein, triglycerides and total cholesterol. The observed differences were not large enough to pose a substantial risk on the broiler chickens’ health or cause considerable damage. It can be concluded that Justicia carnea leaf and ginger rhizome aqueous extracts can influence glucose metabolism in broiler chickens without causing significant adverse effects on kidney function or electrolyte balance. Therefore, Justicia carnea and ginger rhizome (Zingiber officinale) aqueous extract is recommended for use in broiler production.