Abstract:
This study was carried out to investigate the effect of acetylsalicylic acid on follicular
development, gonadal morphometry and hormonal profile of Isa Brown and Haro Black breeds
of layer. One hundred and ninety two (192) 60 weeks old layers (96Harco Black and 96 Isa
Brown) were used in this study. Four treatment diets were formulated with acetylsalicylic acid at
0% (T1), 0.025% (T2), 0.050% (T3), and 0.075% (T4) inclusion levels. At the ends of 12 weeks
feeding trial, 12 birds per treatment were slaughtered and the reproductive tracts were carefully
removed for follicular and gonadal morphometrical examinations. Blood samples were equally
collected for hormonal analysis. The result revealed that layers fed 0.075% ASA had the highest
(P<0.05) number of follicle, weight of the entire reproductive tract, length of magnum, length of
isthmus and length of shell gland, The result of the hormonal assay revealed significant breed
effects (P<0.05) in progesterone, estradiol and cortisol. Layers fed 0.050% ASA were observed
to have the highest progesterone and estradiol values. It could be concluded that supplementation
of acetylsalicylic acid up to 0.050% in layer’s diet has a significant effect in stimulating
follicular growth and modulating the functionality of the oviduct. |
