Ameliorative Potential of Coconut Water in Overfed Male Broiler Breeders

Male broiler breeders are prone to excessive feed consumption from overfeeding due to poor management practices. There are inconsistent reports on susceptibility of male broiler breeders to obesity which results from excessive feed consumption. Coconut water is reportedly useful in reducing weight gain and inflammation. Thirty male broiler breeders of 12 weeks old were separated into three groups A, B and C and reared to twenty weeks of age. Group A was reared on recommended feeding regimen while both groups B and C received double of the recommended feeding regimen. Birds in both groups A and B were given ordinary water while birds in group C received 100 ml of coconut water / L. Blood samples and testes were collected at the end of 20th week to evaluate serum interleukin-6, total protein, leptin and testicular interleukin-1beta levels. Mean ± SEM values were calculated and compared for significant differences with ANOVA at p < 0.05. Serum interleukin-6 and total protein levels were not significantly different among the groups. Group A had the lowest leptin concentration but was not significantly different from values observed in groups B and C. Interleukin-1beta decreased significantly in groups A and C when compared with group A. The above results revealed that overfed male broiler breeders are less predisposed to obesity but have tendency to develop local inflammation which can be attenuated by coconut water supplementation.