Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 6 (2018) 88-100 doi: 10.17265/2328-2150/2018.01.010 D DAVID PUBLISHING Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Three Methods of Protecting Guinea Fowl from Mortalities Used in Traditional Breeding in Northern Togo Lombo Yao1, 2, Tona Kokou2 and Bonfoh Bèdibètè1 1. Centre de Recherche Agronomique de la Savane Sèche (CRASS), Institut Togolais de Recherche Agronomique (ITRA), Lomé BP 1163, Togo. 2. Laboratoire des Sciences et Techniques de Production Avicoles, Centre d’Excellence Régionale des Sciences Aviaires (CERSA), Ecole Supérieure d’Agronomie (ESA), Université de Lomé, Lomé BP 1515, Togo. Abstract: A study on the evaluation of the effectiveness of three traditional methods of protecting guinea fowl from mortality was carried out at CRA-SS (Centre de Recherche Agronomique de la Savane Sèche) in northern Togo. Guinea fowl were divided into 5 batches, of which 3 batches received prophylactic medical treatment including plant decoctions, the 4th batch was followed by a medical prophylaxis program as a control group and the 5th batch considered as a negative control, has not received any prophylactic treatment. The results showed that a mortality rate of 25% for the reference lot and two other batches which received plant decoctions (Euphorbia poissonii or Khaya senegalensis) were recorded against a rate of 87.5% in the batch of guinea fowl which received the decoction of Pteleopsis suberosa. Meanwhile, regardless of weight growth, daily average gain (GMQ) or food consumption, no significant difference was observed (p > 0.05) between the guinea fowl that received a baseline health monitoring and those having taken the decoction of E. poissonii. On the other hand, the values recorded in these two batches of guinea fowl differed statistically from those in the guinea fowl that received the decoction of K. senegalensis. Although the decoction of K. senegalensis has a protective effect in guinea fowl, the growth of guinea fowl has been slowed down. On the basis of these results, it appears that two endogenous practices tested (K. senegalensis or E. poissonii) have positive effects. However, it would be desirable to carry out a toxicity test in order to determine the recommended doses. Key words: Guinea fowl, protection, traditional methods, mortality, Savannah regions, Togo. 1. Introduction about 88% of the farmers use the traditional practices in the control of animal diseases [13]. For a long time, In the Savannah region, the breeding of the guinea poultry farmers have known different diseases of fowl has considerable potential for expansion in view poultry, and they develop expertise in the prevention of of the large number of rural households that practice it these diseases, based on the traditional pharmacopoeia, and the strong demand of the guinea fowl market [1-7]. in particular phytotherapy. With the advances in avian However, little attention is paid to this breeding science, we should expect the disappearance or at least characterized by the lack of habitats and the the decline of traditional veterinary medicine. However, contributions of food rations and inappropriate it must be noted that herbal medicine is still a very veterinary care [4, 7-12]. Faced with the problems of common practice in the prevention and control of decreasing productivity of this livestock and especially pathologies in general and avian diseases in particular the mortality of young subjects in the livestock farms, [14-16]. A study carried out by ITRA showed that, in the face of clinical signs, savannah farmers use several plants Corresponding author: Yao Lombo, Master in for the treatment of poultry [17]. Hien et al. [18] reported developmental biology, research fields: option nutrition and reproduction. the virtues diarrhea and deworming of Khaya Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Three Methods of Protecting Guinea Fowl from 89 Mortalities Used in Traditional Breeding in Northern Togo senegalensis in drinking water on birds. The methanolic 2.2 Used Medicinal Plants extract of stem bark and the decoction of Pteleopsis 2.2.1 Pteleopsis suberosa Engl and Diels suberosa Engl and Diels were found to have moderate P. suberosa (Fig. 1a), of the family Combretaceae is antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus in a shrub of 6 to 7 voire 10 m high, with erect more or vitro [19]. These endogenous veterinarians and less right, hail and cylindrical up to 35 cm in diameter. zootechnicians should use alternatives in avian control The bark is very characteristic, coarsely and densely programs because of the high cost or inaccessibility of covered with corky warts (which make it easy to certain veterinary products on the market. These recognize even when it is defoliated), it is traditional methods used in the protection of poultry blackish-gray to reddish-brown [19, 20]. against mortalities in traditional breeding deserve to be 2.2.2 Euphorbia poissonii Pax checked and known in order to optimize their use. Euphorbia poissonii Pax (Fig. 1b) is a plant of the The objective of this study was to evaluate the family Euphorbiaceae and the order Euphorbiales. E. effectiveness of methods of protecting guinea fowl in poissonii is a succulent shrub, spiny or not (more or traditional breeding. More specifically, it is necessary less deciduous spines), 1 to 2 or even 3 m tall, with to determine the effects on mortality, growth, biochemical candelabra in the port, numerous branches branched parameters and bacterial flora of guinea fowl. and upright, full of caustic white latex power, irritating 2. Materials and Methods and purgative. The bark draws towards the color green to light gray on the old subjects, smooth and glabrous 2.1 Experimental Site [20]. The study was carried out at the “CRASS (Centre de 2.2.3 Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss Recherche Agronomique de la Savane Sèche)” in K. senegalensis commonly (Fig. 1c) known as Dapaong in the Savannah Region of northern Togo. Caïlécédrat or mahogany of Senegal in French and This Region is located between 0° and 1° longitude and African mahogany in English, belongs to the family of 10° and 11° north latitude. The climate is marked by Meliaceae. It is an endemic species of many African the alternation of a long dry season from November to countries. It is a large tree, 25 to 35 m high, with a May and a short rainy season from June to October. barrel up to 10 m high and 2 m in diameter. The bark is Temperatures range from 20 °C to 35 °C. The rainfall gray and smooth, becoming more or less ferruginous of the region is between 800 mm and 1,200 mm. It took and scaly, with a pink slice more or less carmine, place from 20 September to 20 December 2016. exuding a little reddish liquid [14, 20]. a b c Fig. 1 Medicinal plants used: a = Dried bark of Pteleopsis suberosa; b = Slices of Euphorbia poissonii; c = Dried bark of Khaya Senegalensis. 90 Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Three Methods of Protecting Guinea Fowl from Mortalities Used in Traditional Breeding in Northern Togo 2.3 Preparation of the Decoctions of the Bark and batches and were reared in starter cages with a capacity Slices of the Different Species of 10 subjects/m². The batch consists of 20 guinea fowl. Bark samples (K. senegalensis and P. suberosa) and Batch 1 was subjected to drug with a decoction trunk slices (E. poissonii) were harvested in the Tone solution of prepared K. senegalensis barks (Table 1); Prefecture in the savanna region. Batch 2 received drug with a decoction solution of These bark and harvested slices were dried under the P. suberosa bark (Table 2); hall in the open air at room temperature for one week. Batch 3 had a watering solution with a decoction They are soaked in cold water before boiling for 10 solution of the E. poissonii slices prepared (Table 3); minutes. For one kilogram of bark or slices was added 5 liters of water. The solution thus obtained is Batch 4 or control group benefited from a medical administered to the guinea fowl as a drinking water prophylaxis based on conventional veterinary products after cooling, decanting and filtration with a clean cloth (Table 4); of cloth. Each morning, the decoction is reheated for 5 Batch 5 or negative control group received no min and the preparation is renewed weekly. prophylactic treatment. All batches were vaccinated against infectious 2.4 Conduct of Breeding brongitis, Newcastle disease and avian pox were fed At hatching, 100 guinea fowl were divided into five the same feed (Table 5) throughout the start-up period. Table 1 Sanitary monitoring plan for guinea fowl that received the K. senegalensis decoction. Method of administration and Age Sanitary measures applied Products used dosage 1st day - Simple water Ad libitum Prevention against any non-viral disease Decoction of Khaya Senegalensis Oral use in drinking water : 1 kg in 2nd to 7th day Vaccination against infectious bronchitis BRON L 5 L of water disease 8th day - Simple water Ad libitum Prevention against any non-viral disease Decoction of Khaya Senegalensis Voie orale dans l’eau de boisson: 1 9th to 16th day Vaccination against Newcastle disease CEVAC UNI L ND kg in 5 L of water 17th day - Simple water Ad libitum 18th day to 50th Decoction of Khaya Senegalensis Oral use in drinking water : 1 kg in Prevention against any non-viral disease day CEVAC FPL 5 L of water 51st day - Simple water Ad libitum 52nd day to 56th Oral use in drinking water : 1 kg in Prevention against any non-viral disease Decoction of Khaya Senegalensis day 5 L of water Table 2 Sanitary monitoring plan for guinea fowl that received the P. suberosa decoction. Age Mesures sanitaires appliquée Produits utilisés Mode d’administration et posologie 1st day - Simple water Ad libitum Prevention against any non-viral disease Decoction of P.