Abstract
The role of complementary and alternative medicines for the treatment of various diseases is gaining serious attention. This study evaluated the haematological changes induced by Eimeria tenella challenge in broiler chickens following pre-administration with methanol extracts of Ganoderma lucidum, Vernonia amygdalina and Vitellaria paradoxa. One hundred one-day-old Abor acre broiler chicks obtained from a commercial hatchery were randomly divided into 10 groups (A1, B1, C1, D1, A2, B2, C2, D2, E, and F) of 10 birds each. From 14 to 20 days of age (doa), A1 and A2 were administered G. lucidum (250 mg/kg); B1 and B2 V. amygdalina (2000 mg/kg); C1 and C2 V. paradoxa (250 mg/kg); D1 and D2 Amprolium (100 g/100 L drinking water); while E, and F were positive, and negative controls, respectively. At 21 doa, A2, B2, C2, D2 and E were challenged with 10(4) E. tenella sporulated oocysts orally. Blood was collected at 14, 21 and 28 doa, and processed for haematology. Results revealed no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the haematological parameters in all groups of broiler chickens at 14 and 21 doa. At 28 doa, packed cell volume (PCV), and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration were significantly (P < 0.05) lower while total red blood cells were non-significantly (P > 0.05) lower in group E than in A2, B2, C2 and D2. Total leukocyte and heterophil counts were significantly (P < 0.05) higher while lymphocyte count and heterophil/lymphocyte ratio were non-significantly (P > 0.05) higher in group E than in A2, B2, C2 and D2. The prophylactic administration of G. lucidum, V. amygdalina leaf and V. paradoxa stem bark methanolic extracts significantly ameliorated the changes in PCV, Hb concentration, total leukocyte and heterophil counts induced by E. tenella challenge in the broiler chickens. Further studies that explore the mechanisms by which these extracts ameliorated the haematological changes via their prophylactic anticoccidial activities should be conducted.