Journal of Biology and Life Science, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp.133-146
The study was conducted to assess the effects of sweet potato leaves, roselle calyces and
beetroot tubers on body weight, selected hematological and biochemical parameters in broiler
chickens. Eighty four (84) broiler chickens aged four weeks were randomly assigned into six
groups of 14 chickens each. The first group (G0) remained as untreated control while the
other groups were the treated groups which received 25% of ground sweet potato leaves (G1),
rosella calyces (G2), beetroot tubers (G3) and their mixtures (G4 and G5) for 28 days.
Following inclusion of these different vegetables, blood samples were collected and analyzed
for selected hematological and biochemical parameters on day 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28. Results
showed that consumption of the three vegetables caused significant decreases (p < 0.05) in
body weight, serum glucose and cholesterol. On the other hand, hemoglobin concentration,
packed cell volume (PCV) and total white blood cell (WBC) counts were shown to increase
significantly (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. It is concluded that the hypoglycemic
and hypocholesteremic effects in chickens following consumption of the three vegetables
together with their positive effects on PCV and WBC counts are important qualities which
can be utilized in the management of conditions such as obesity, diabetes mellitus,
hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular diseases (atherosclerosis and coronary disease) in humans.
Further studies in other animals are recommended.