Effect of moringa leaf meal and season on blood and hormonal profile of the pearl guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of moringa leaf meal and season on blood and hormonal profile of the Pearl Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) in the Middle belt of Ghana. Thirty-two (32) males and one hundred and twenty-eight (128) female Pearl Guinea fowls aged one-day-old were used for the study. A 3 x 4 factorial experimental design was used for the experiment. Data collected were analyzed using General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of Statistical Analysis System (SAS for Windows, version 7) and means were separated by the probability of difference (PDIFF) procedure of SAS (2008). Mean cell volume was highest (175.39 fl) among Guinea fowls fed with diet containing 12 % moringa leaf meal level. Guinea fowls fed with diet containing 15 % moringa leaf meal had the highest (3.44 x1012/L) red blood cells production. Eosinophil level was highest (3.95 x1012/L) among Guinea fowls fed with diet containing 9 % moringa leaf meal. Birds fed with the moringa diets recorded the highest (P= 0.022) WBC values as compared to the control diet. Triglycerides, high density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein levels increased (P<0.05) with increasing levels of dietary moringa leaf meal in the diet. The highest (P= 0.0025) level of progesterone was observed among birds fed with diet containing 12 and 15 % moringa leaf meal inclusion levels. The level of sodium was highest (166.69 nmol/l) among Guinea fowls fed with diet containing 12 % moringa leaf meal. The major and minor rainy seasons recorded the highest (P<0.05) mean cell hemoglobin, red blood cells, albumin and oestrogen levels. Platelets, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin and chlorine levels were highest (P<0.05) in the dry season while basophil level was highest in the major rainy season. Cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and potassium levels were highest (P<0.05) in the major rainy season. This study concludes that feeding Guinea fowls with moringa leaf meal had positive effect on some haematological, biochemical and hormonal parameters.