Processed cocoa pod husk dietary inclusion: effects on the performance, carcass, haematogram, biochemical indices, antioxidant enzyme and histology of the liver and kidney in broiler chicken

Abstract

The PCHM inclusion did not affect (P > 0.05) the performance characteristics of the broiler chicks, except for the feed intake that significantly (P < 0.05) increased in birds fed 8% of PCHM-inclusive diet at the starter phase. The carcass traits, relative internal organ weights, haematological indices and serum biochemical indices of the broiler chickens were similar (P > 0.05) across the dietary treatments. The serum glutathione peroxidase and catalase concentration were higher (P < 0.05) in birds fed PCHM-inclusive diets compared to those fed the control diet. Similar histological myocardiac cell appearances were observed among the birds across the various dietary treatments. Sections show the myocardium composed of the cardiac muscle with peripherally placed nucleus separated by a defined interstitium that is free of inflammatory cells and collections. In the birds fed diet 2 and 3, histological variations observed were marked vascular congestion and perivascular inflammatory cells infiltrations in the hepatic tissue and marked infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells around the vessels and activation of hepatic macrophage: Kupffer cells.