EFFECT OF AQUEOS EXTRACT OF Momordica balsamina AND Cucumis metuliferus FRUITS ON NEWCASTLE DISEASE IN PULLETS

The study was conducted to determine the effect of aqueous extract of Mormordica balsamina and Cucumis metuliferus fruits on Newcastle disease (NCD) in pullets. Ninety (90) pullets were used for the study. The pullets were divided into prophylactic and curative groups comprising 10 birds per group. For prophylactic groups aqueous extract of the fruits at concentration of 2.5g and 5.0g per 100litres of water were given to the pullets ad-libitum for two weeks and then challenged with Newcastle disease virus kudu 113 strain via intra ocular route while for curative groups the pullets were challenged with the virus and then treated with the aqueous extracts of the fruits at 2.5g and 5.0g per 100litres of water ad-libitum. Data collected were analyzed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Statistical Analysis Software version 9.1. The results showed that M. balsamina at 2.5g/100litres of water had very good curative abilities which recorded lower clinical signs, mortality, postmortem lesions, higher antibody titer and higher white blood cell activity with a statistically significant (p<0.05) association while the same fruit at 5.0g/100litres of water had the best results for prophylactic treatments recording least clinical signs and mortality rates and highest antibody titers, highest white blood cell count which was statistically significant (P<0.05). It is therefore recommended that Mormodica balsamina can be recommended at 2.5g/100litres and at 5g/100liters of water for the control and prevention of Newcastle disease respectively to farmers and that further studies should be carried out to establish optimum concentration levels for