TABLE 4.
The haematological indices in broiler chickens fed probiotic and/or Gunnera extract at 42 days of age
| Index/groups | Control | Probiotic plus Gunnera extract | Gunnera extract | Probiotic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCV (%) | 35 ± 3.6 | 37 ± 3.8 | 35 ± 4.5 | 34 ± 3.6 |
| RBC (106/mm3) | 3.05 ± 0.40 | 3.13 ± 0.46 | 3.11 ± 0.58 | 3.22 ± 0.50 |
| WBC (106/mm3) | 2.70 ± 0.30 | 2.75 ± 0.40 | 2.80 ± 0.35 | 2.63 ± 0.30 |
| Neutrophils (%) | 36.10 ± 2.70 | 35.76 ± 2.53 | 37.97 ± 3.17 | 39.15 ± 2.20 |
| Lymphocytes (%) | 61.49 ± 2.94 | 58.65 ± 2.60 | 56.70 ± 2.60 | 56.05 ± 2.105 |
| Monocytes (%) | 3.80 ± 0.99 | 4.33 ± 0.40 | 4.30 ± 0.30 | 3.64 ± 0.46 |
| Eosinophils (%) | 1.11 ± 0.60 | 1.78 ± 0.75 | 2.40 ± 0.27 | 1.85 ± 0.59 |
| Basophils (%) | 0.48 ± 0.13 | 0.39 ± 0.208 | 0.50 ± 0.19 | 0.70 ± 0.16 |
| Hb (g/dl) | 10.00 ± 0.32 b | 12.33 ± 0.39 a | 10.30 ± 0.50 b | 11.81 ± 0.46 a |
| MCV (fl) | 90.23 ± 0.25 | 90.04 ± 0.33 | 90.10 ± 0.40 | 90.50 ± 0.40 |
| MCH (pg) | 30.56 ± 0.19 | 33.33 ± 0.12 | 32.12 ± 0.18 | 31.45 ± 0.15 |
| MCHC (%) | 30.19 ± 0.31 | 35.36 ± 0.31 | 34.35 ± 0.29 | 32.50 ± 0.39 |
Abbreviations: MCH, mean cell haemoglobin; MCV, mean cell volume; MCHC, mean concentration of haemoglobin cell.
Note: The different superscript letters in each row represent significant differences between treatments (p < 0.05).