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 oleifera leaf and seed extracts were administered via drinking water in T₁ (0), T₂ (1g seed alone), T₃ (0.5g seed and 0.5g leaf) and T₄ (1g leaf alone) in 1000ml 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 (12.5ml seed and 12.5ml leaf extracts with 75ml of standard extender) while extender C (25ml seed and 25ml leaf extracts with 50mls 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 T₁ (5103g). There were significant increases (P<0.05) in the feed efficiency (T₁ 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 T₁ (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 T₁ (3.00) when compared with T₂ (2.33) and T₃ (2.00). Progressive motility (T₄ 92.86, T₂ 90.83, T₃ 82.93, T₁ 74.4) %, viable spermatozoa (T₄ 96.93, T₂ 90.83, T₃ 82.933 and T₁ 87.67) % and semen pH 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 T₁ =0.2 ng/ml. 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 47⁰c thermic condition (T₁ 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 T₁ 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, T₁ 14.49) mg/dl and T₄ 0.74, T₃ 0.75, T₂ 0.71, T₁ 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.