Combined Effect of Methionine, Lysine and Neem Leaf Meal Supplementation on Growth Performance, Blood Parameters and Oxidative Status of Finishing Broilers

Tadondjou Cyrille d’Alex, Mube Hervé, Solefack Laure, Ledang Narcisse, Ngoula Ferdinand and Teguia Alexis

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of diet supplemented with methionine, lysine and neem leaves on growth parameters, carcass characteristics, blood parameters and oxidative status of the liver and the pectoralis muscle of broilers. Materials and Methods: A total of 180 broilers (21 days of age, weighing 431.21±50.62 g), were used in this study. Chicks were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments and 3 replicates of 15 chicks. Group 1 received a standard diet, group 2 received a diet supplemented with lysine (0.7%) and methionine (0.3%), group 3 received a diet supplemented with neem leaves (0.25%) and group 4 received a diet supplemented with lysine/methionine and neem leaves. Feed intake and live body weight were recorded weekly. At 42 days of age, three birds per replicate were randomly selected and fasted for 12 hrs, weighed and slaughtered and blood samples were collected for hematological and biochemical analyses. Liver and muscle samples were also collected for biochemical analyses. Results: Diet supplemented with methionine/lysine or neem leaves did not affect feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. The diet supplemented with methionine/lysine and neem leaves significantly increased (p<0.05) the body weight proportion of abdominal fat, bursa and the serum level of globulin. The relative weight of the spleen was increased (p<0.05) with the dietary supplementation of methionine/lysine or neem leaves alone. The serum level of total cholesterol was decreased (p<0.05) in broilers fed on the diet supplemented only with neem leaves. The levels of total protein and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activities were increased (p<0.05) in the liver and muscle of chicken fed on the diet supplemented with neem leaves and lysine/methionine. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were increased (p<0.05) in the liver with neem leaves and in the muscle of broilers with lysine/methionine. Irrespective of organs, broilers fed on the non-supplemented diet showed the highest levels (p<0.05) of malondialdehyde (MDA). Diet supplemented with lysine/methionine decreased (p<0.05) red blood cells count and pack cell volume. Conclusion: The combined supplementation of neem leaves (0.25%) and methionine/lysine (0.3%/0.7%) to the diet improved immunity and the antioxidant capacity in broilers without affecting growth performance.

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