Evaluations of the effect of genetic variations on the serum renal function markers, bilirubin and lipid profile of laying domestic fowls

Abstract

A total of 16, 18 weeks old chickens with mean weight 1.99±0.12 kg (1.85-2.30kg) were used to compare the serum biochemical characteristics of four chicken genotypes (breeds/strains) from south-eastern part of Nigeria. The chickens were grouped based on their genotypes (breeds/strain) in a Completely Randomized Design for the four-week study. The genotypes (breeds) considered were Black Australorp (BA), Isa Brown (IB), Noiler (NOI) and Local chicken (LC) at 4 chickens per genotype. At the end of the experiment, four (4) birds per genotype were drawn and their blood samples analysed for serum biochemical studies. The mean total cholesterol (TC), triaceylglycerol (TAG) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) concentrations of local chicken (LC) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the Isa brown (IB) values. Similarly, the mean blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations of LC was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the Noiler value. The mean high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) of black Australorp (BA) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the value of Noiler but showed no significant (p > 0.05) difference when compared to the values of IB and LC. There were however no significant (p > 0.05) variations in the mean low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin and creatinine concentrations among all the breeds investigated. In conclusion, the results obtained in this study will be helpful in creating a baseline data on biochemical profiles of indigenous and exotic chicken breeds in Nigeria which in turn can be used for assessing the health status of these birds, improving desirable breeds/traits and designing appropriate breeding strategies for indigenous poultry birds in the country..