SEMEN CHARACTERISTICS, HAEMATOLOGICAL AND SERUM- BIOCHEMICAL INDICES OF COCKS DRENCHED VARYING LEVELS OF CLOVE POWDER (SYZYGIUM AROMATICUM)

Abstract

The use of botanicals has been proposed as a potential alternative to conventional therapeutic options. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of clove powder (Syzygium aromaticum) on semen characteristics, haematological and serum-biochemical indices of cocks. Clove powder was drenched in 60 sexually matured (52 weeks old) and healthy, light ecotype Nigerian local cocks (weighing between 1.5 and 1.8 kg) cocks at 0.0, 0.05, 1.00 and 1.5 g. Semen volume, spermatozoa progressive motility, liveability, acrosome integrity, spermatozoa concentration and normal spermatozoa were evaluated for semen characteristics. Haematological parameters measured were: packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), haemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). In contrast, serum biochemical parameters evaluated were total protein, albumin, globulin, uric acid, creatinine, cholesterol and glucose. Data obtained were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance. Semen volume (0.44 – 0.47ml), sperm cell progressive motility (80.00 – 93.33%) and acrosome integrity (83.33 – 90.00%) showed significant differences (p<0.05), in favour of birds drenched 1.50g CP. The RBC values showed a significant (p<0.05) difference (3.64 – 3.76 x 10⁶/mL), as the level of CP increases, the value of RBC decreases. There exists a significant difference (p<0.05) in Hb (3.64 – 12.86 g/dL) with the highest value in 0.00g CP, MCH (32.79 – 36.86 fl) and MCHC (31.62 – 32.85%) showed significant difference (p<0.05) in favour of 1.50g CP. Total protein showed significant difference (p<0.05) with values ranging between 4.46 and 5.40 g/dL. There exists a significant difference (p<0.05) in the mean value of albumin, with the highest value in 1.50g CP (5.40) in favour of 1.50 g CP. Drenching cocks with clove powder up to 1.5g was discovered posing no harmful effect on cocks.