ABSTRACT

Three experiments which lasted for 9 months were conducted to determine the effect of aqueous Moringa oleifera leaf and seed extracts on the growth performance, reproductive physiology of 72 local turkeys. Experiment one comprising 36 male local turkeys aged 8 weeks were evaluated for growth performance, blood parameters, semen traits, hormonal assay. (testosterone) as well as histology of the testes, kidneys and lungs in a completely randomized design (CRD). Moringa oletfera leaf and seed extracts were administered via drinking water in Ti (0), T2 (1g seed alone), T3 (0.5g seed and 0.5g leaf) and T4 (1g leaf alone) in 1000m1 of water. Experiment two evaluated the effect of semen collected from male turkeys under two thermal conditions using 3 different extenders in a 2x3x4 factorial experiment in CRD. The extender A (standard extender), extender B (12.5m1 seed and 12.5m1 leaf extracts with 75m1 of standard extender) while extender C (25m1 seed and 25m1 leaf extracts with 50m1s of standard extender). The semen was diluted in the ratio of 1:5 where progressive motility was examined. Experiment three was conducted with 36 female local turkeys. The Morniga was administered as in experiment one in a CRD experiment. In the male turkeys, Moringa extracts significantly (P<0.05) increased the total weight gain (T4 5503g, T2 5407g, T3 5307g) than TL (5 103g). There were significant increases (P><0.05) in the feed efficiency (Ti 4.21, T2 3.99, T3 3.98 and T4 3.9) with the Moringa administration. The white blood cell (x103mm3) was highest (P><0.05) in Ti (32.133) then T2 (30.00), T3 (27.90) and T4 (24.80).The PCV (%), Red blood cell (RBC), MCV, MCH, MCHC and Hb were all (P> 0.05) similar among the treatment groups. All the biochemical parameters evaluated differed significantly (P< 0.05) among the treatments except calcium. The TP, albumin, cholesterol, bilirubin, urea, and AST were higher among the Moringa administered groups. The semen consistency was higher (P < 0.05) in T4 (3.00) and Ti (3.00) when compared with T2 (2.33) and T3 (2.00). Progressive motility (T4 92.86, T2 90.83, T3 82.93, Ti 74.4) %, viable spermatozoa (T4 96.93, T2 90.83, T3 82.933 and Ti 87.67) % and semen p1-I were higher among the Moringa administered groups. Testosterone level increased in the Moringa administered groups (T4 = 3.33, T3 = 0.39, T2 0.27 and Ti =0.2 nglml. Histology of the testes was not adversely affected by Moringa but the lungs and kidney were. The extender effect, the thermic effect, as well as the Moringa administration did not have significant effect on the progressive motility of the sperm cells. Although there were significant improvement on the sub group effect on the male turkeys administered the Moringa extract under 47°c thermic condition (Ti 55.43%, T2 71.43%, T3 57.92% and T4 75.13%). In the females, the weight gain (T4 3.182, T2 2.89, T3 2.83 and Ti 2.8) kg as well as feed efficiency all increased with the administration of Moringa extracts. The Hb, MCH and MCHC differed significantly (P< 0.05). The serum urea and creatinine levels were significantly (P < 0.05) higher (T4 20.427, T3 19.37, T2 17.38, Ti 14.49) mg/dl and T4 0.74, T3 0.75, T2 0.71, Ti 0.61 mg/dl respectively among the Moringa administer groups, while TP, AST and calcium were lower (P<0.05). Egg internal parameters were not significantly affected. Estradiol and Progesterone were lower (P><0.05) among the Moringa groups. The sensory evaluation was improved by Moringa extracts. The study showed that Moringa leaf and seed extracts can be used to improve growth, reproduction, immunity, as well as blood traits of local turkeys. >>0.05). Egg internal parameters were not significantly affected. Estradiol and progesterone were lower (p>0.05) among the moringa groups. The sensory evaluation was improved by moring extracts. The study showed tht Moringa leaf and seed extracts can be used to improve growth, reproduction ,immunity, as well as blood traits of local turkeys.