Effect of feeding kulthi seeds (Dolichos biflorus L.) with high calcium low phosphorus diet on induced/reduced urolithiasis and kidney damage in cockerel

In the Unani and Ayurvedic system of medicine, Kulthi is prescribed to the patients suffering from urolithiasis. Kulthi is an important legume especially in tribal areas. Horse gram (Dolichos biflorus L.) locally known as Kulthi is extensively grown in peninsular India. It is claimed that ingestion of Kulthi cures urolithiasis. Studies were therefore, planned to induce urolithiasis experimentally in cockerel to observe the effect of feeding Kulthi on growth, feed intake, feed efficiency and levels of serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.For the present study, 50 cockerels were divided into 5 groups of 10 each and fed 5 different diets viz. diet I- Control having Normal Calcium (1%) and Normal available Phosphorus (ap 0.5 %) - NCNP; II- High Calcium (3.25%) and Low available Phosphorus (0.3%) – HCLP (to induce urolithiasis); III- HCLP + 1% NaHCO3 (Sodium Bicarbonate) - HCLP (B); IV- HCLP (B) + 1% NH4Cl (Ammonium Chloride) – HCLP (A); V- HCLP + 1% NaHCO3 + Kulthi seeds – HCLP(B) K. Diets were fed from 9 to 32 weeks of age. During the experimental period, body weight, feed intake, feed efficiency was recorded. The levels of serum Ca, P & Mg were determined at monthly interval. X-ray and histopathological examination done at the end of the experiment. The results of study indicated that HCLP diet adversely affected growth, feed intake and feed efficiency. Incorporation of Kulthi in HCLP diets improved feed intake and gain in body weight. All the HCLP diets has no beneficial effect in preventing urolithiasis & kidney damage except HCLP diet with NH4Cl – beneficial in preventing urolithiasis. The mineral levels were at par in all the groups. During the last week of experiment, a metabolic trial for 3 days was conducted and the retention of minerals was studied. It was at par in all the groups.