Histopathology of Organs of Cockerels Fed Raw Jack Bean, Bambara Groundnut And Benne Seed Based Diets .

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the toxicological effects  of raw jack  beans (RJB , bambara groundnuts (RBG) and benne seeds (RBS) – based diets  on  organs of  cockerels (Goldmine strain)  after eight weeks of feeding trial.  Full fat soya was replaced with RJB, RBG and RBS at 25% and 50% levels. Anti – nutritional factors such as canavanine, haemagglutinin (Hg), trypsin inhibitor (TI), tannin and phytate contents were determined in the plant seeds.  High amount of  canavanine was obtained in RJB and none in RBG and RBS respectively. High amounts Hg  and TI  activities were obtained in both RJB and RBG. The tannin , phytate  and oxalate contents were  higher in RBS than RJB and RBG respectively. At the termination of the experiment, the birds were  killed by cervical  dislocation  before  the liver, kidney, pancreas  and testis were  dissected  out and preserved in 10%  formalin  solution. The tissues of the organs were  trimmed,  fixed in Bouin’s fixative for 24h, embedded in wax, sectioned at 6µm with microtome and finally stained with haematoxylin and eosin for histopathological examination. The livers of the birds fed 25% and 50% RJB based diets  showed  extensive multifocal and lymphocytic infiltration with necrosis of hepatocytes. Moreover, the pancreas of birds fed RBG and RJB based diets showed  necrosis of glandular cells, lymphoid aggregates, thickening of the supporting stroma and multifocal interstitial lymphocytic infiltration. In the testes of  birds fed 25% and 50% RJB, there  was extensive degeneration of the seminiferous tubular  epithelia cells with widespread  interstitial lymphocytic  infiltrations of the stroma. The   liver, pancreas , kidney and testes of birds fed RBS however  showed moderate lesions. It is concluded in this study that RJB showed more toxicity RBG and RBS  with respect to lesions in the organs of the birds, thus depicting a severe negative effect when  fed  to  non – ruminant animals over a long period of time. There is therefore the need  to detoxify the raw  plant  seeds with a view to enhancing their  nutritive value.

Key words: Histopathology,  organs,  cockerels , feeds