Effects of supplementing betel nut fruit on growth performance, anthelminthic and hematological profile in the beef calves

This study explored the potential of betel nut fruit aqueous extract (BNFAE) in enhancing the growth, anthelmintic response, and hematological profile of beef calves over 49 days of supplementation. Nine (9) naturally infected weaned beef calves aged six to eleven months, regardless of sex, were randomly assigned using a Randomized Complete Block Design. Treatments included: Treatment 1- Commercial Dewormer (CD); Treatment 2-1 ml BNFAE/10 kg body weight; and Treatment 3-2 ml BNFAE/10 kg body weight. Significant differences among treatment means were assessed using Tukey’s HSD test. BNFAE-treated animals exhibited notable weight gain and a reduction of up to 90% in Coccidia egg count, indicating its high efficacy. Significant differences were also observed in Strongylid and Coccidia egg counts by the third to sixth week. The findings support the effectiveness of BNFAE against gastrointestinal parasites, contributing valuable insights for livestock management. published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES