Effect of Cashew Kernel Meal on Blood Biochemical Parameters and Biometry of Organs Regulating Nutritional Metabolism in Laying Hens

Cashew kernels are rich in protein, carbohydrates, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). In Côte d'Ivoire, cashew nut kernel debris is abundant, but are not highly valued. This study aims to assess the impact of cashew kernel meal in diets on serum biochemical parameters and the pathophysiological state of organs regulating nutritional metabolism in hens. To carry out the experiment, 96 hens, aged 20 weeks, of LOHMANN-Brown strain, with an average weight of 1600 ± 36.7 g, were used over a 10-week period. Laying hens were fed four diets: Rt, R10, R15 and R20, with 0%, 10%, 15% and 20% cashew kernel meal respectively. The results indicate that the consumption of the diets caused a significant reduction in the mean value of glucose, total cholesterol and uric acid in the hens' blood, due to the presence in quantity of the PUFAs and MUFAs contained in cashew kernels. In this study, the absence of weight variation in kidneys, livers, hearts and gizzards shows that cashew kernel meal had no deleterious effects on the body's immune responses. On the other hand, spleen mass was reduced in hens fed the R10, R15 and R20 diets, showing that they were immune to splenomegaly. In view of the results obtained, the incorporation of cashew kernel meal, in the diets of laying hens could be an interesting alternative to the use of conventional soybean meal and corn.