Effects of Oral Administration of Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water and Oil on Growth Performance and Selected Serum Biochemistry of Broiler Chicks

Abstract

Broilers as meat producing animal for human consumption must themselves be produced with minimum amount of fat due to the attendant risk of coronary heart disease associated with consumption of fatty meat. This study was therefore, designed to investigate the effect of oral administration of Cocos nucifera (coconut) water and oil on growth performance and selected serum biochemistry of broiler chicks. The selected serum biochemistry was those of lipid profile and hepatic marker enzymes.  The coconut water and oil were extracted locally.  The body mass (weight) and organ mass were carried out by use of standard weighing balance. The lipid analysis and enzymes assays were done using standard methods.  The result obtained showed a non-significant (P>0.05) changes (rise or fall) in the body mass of birds administered with coconut water and coconut oil relative to control treatment. For lipid profile, the result showed significant (P<0.05) reduction in serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerol and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol with non-significant (P>o.05) changes in serum levels of high density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterols with birds that received 2.0ml/day administration of coconut water and oil relative to control.  For the marker enzymes the result revealed significant increase in serum activities of ALT but reduction in ALP by birds that received coconut water whereas coconut oil caused a significant reduction in AST activity.  One therefore, concluded that the numerous nutritional and health benefits of coconut water and oil as previously reported by researchers stand the test of time as their administrations to broilers have no negative effect on growth performance, lipid profile and marker enzymes activities.