EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF GUAVA (PSIDIUM GUAJAVA) LEAVES ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCES OF ROSS 308 BREEDERS

Djitie Kouatcho François, Ngoula Ferdinand, Kenfack Augustave, Noumedem F.J.G.

Abstract
   The present study was conducted to assess the effects of aqueous extract of guava (Psidium guajava) leaves on the reproductive performances of Ross 308 breeders. For this purpose, 48 Ross 308 breeders of 80 weeks old were used for a period of 4 weeks; they were divided into 4 groups of 12 breeders each. Each group consisted of 2 males and 10 females with an average weight of 4050± g and 3750±3g respectively. They received by gavage distilled water for the control (T0) and the aqueous extract of guava leaves at doses of 75 (T1); 100 (T2) and 150 (T3) mg / kg of body weight. From the first to the last day of the test, eggs were collected daily, sorted, weighted, and labeled in order to assess the laying parameters (weekly egg production, egg productivity, weight and egg surface). Collected eggs were incubated and candled on the 18th day to determine the number of fertile eggs. Then handed over to the hatcher and monitored until hatching to assess the percentage of incubated eggs, the embryonic mortality rate, hatching rate, viability, numeric productivity, the average weight and the rate of marketable chicks. The results of this study showed that aqueous extracts of (Psidium guajava) (75, 100, 150 mg / kg of body weight) leaves improved laying parameters, incubation and day old chick of Ross 308 breeders although not significant (p> 0.05). Generally, the lowest dose (75mg / kg) of the aqueous extract of (Psidium guajava) induced the best results for all parameters evaluated except the laying and fertility rates. Aqueous extract of guava leaves at 75mg/kg of body weight could be used as an alternative to improve reproductive performances, especially in female parents.