Effect of mixed Gmelina and Moringa leaf meal inclusion and sampling periods on haematology and serum biochemistry of growing Red Sokoto does
Abstract
A study was carried out to investigate the effect of mixed Gmelina arborea and Moringa oleifera (GMMO) leaf meal inclusion and sampling periods on the haematology and serum biochemistry of Red Sokoto does fed Digiteria smutsii hay based diets. Twenty-eight (28) growing Red Sokoto does aged between 6 and 7 months with average weight of 14.71±0.09 kg were randomly assigned to four treatments balanced for weight with seven does per treatment in a completely randomized design. Experimental diets were offered at 4% of body weight. Haematological values shows that all parameters measured are significantly different. Significant (P<0.05) differences were observed cholesterol levels of the animals across the treatments. Cholesterol level was significantly higher (P<0.05) in 0% (107.90) and 10% (107.57) compared to other treatments. Effect of sampling periods on haematological parameters of growing does shows significant differences (P<0.05) in all the parameters measured except white blood cells count. There were significant differences (P<0.05) on total protein and globulin. Total protein ranged from 65.58 to 69.75 g/L at the end and middle of the experiment, respectively. It was significantly higher (P<0.05) at the mid than other periods. Values of globulin were statistically higher (P<0.05) at mid and end of the experiment than at the beginning. Values for all the parameters measured in this study were within the normal ranges for healthy goats. GMMO leaf meal inclusion and sampling periods did not have any adverse effect on blood profile of Red Sokoto does. It can be concluded that GMMO leaf meal can be included in the diets of Red Sokoto does up to 30% without detrimental effects.
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Introduction
Small ruminants are the principal domesticated animals in terms of total numbers and production of food and fibre products. This attribute may partly be due to their lower feed requirements compared to cattle, because of their body size (Okunlola et al., 2010). Lower feed and of course the lower capital requirement allows for easy integration into different farming systems (Hirpa and Abebe, 2008; Pollot and Wilson, 2009). Small ruminants have served as means of ready cash and reserve against economic and agricultural production hardship (Hamito, 2008). Goats are considered superior to other ruminant species in their utilization of poor quality and high fibre feeds (Oyeyemi and Akusu, 2005). Goats are by far the most important domesticated small ruminants in Nigeria (FAOSTAT, 2009). Moringa is one of the most promising plants which could contribute to increased intake of some essential nutrients and health-promoting phytochemicals. It has a high crude protein content ranging from 20-26% CP in leaves (Ben Salem et al., 2004 and Asaolu et al., 2011) with negligible contents of anti-nutrients (Makkar and Becker, 1996). It produces leaves during the dry season and during times of drought, and is an excellent source of green vegetable when little other food is available (FAO, 2014). Moringa leaves can serve as feed for animals. They are valuable source of protein for ruminants but used in poultry, pigs, and fish diets in limited amount because of fibre and anti-nutrients.
Gmelina arborea Roxb. (Family verbenanceae) is a fast growing deciduous tree that can grow up to 40 mtall and 140 cm in diameter (Jensen, 1995). According to Little (1983), the leaves are harvested for fodder for animals and silkworm; the bitter-sweet fruits used to be consumed by humans. Gmelina fruit pulps, seeds and flowers have also been very useful in the feeding of livestock (Amata and Iwelu, 2012). Even though Gmelina arborea can shed some of its leaves when the dry season is approaching, the regrowth of new leaves could serve as animal feed during the dry season (Osakwe and Udeogu 2007). The anti-nutritional content of the leaves is low, implying that the overall nutritional value of the leaves will not be affected (Amata and Lebari, 2012).
Haematological studies represent a useful tool in the investigation of the extent of damage to the blood (Ogunbanjo et al., 2009). Etim et al. (2014) reported that it provides the opportunity to clinically investigate the physiological, nutritional and pathological status of an animal. Nutrition, age, sex, breeds, reproductive status, housing stress and environmental factors are known to affect the haematological and biochemical parameters in farm animals (Addass et al., 2010, Daramola et al., 2005). Iriadam (2007) reported that nutritional status and management practices can influence the physiological attributes and ability of animals to cope with stress.
The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of mixed Gmelina and Moringa (GMMO) leaf meal inclusion levels and sampling periods on haematology and serum biochemistry of growing Red Sokoto does fed Digitaria smutsii hay based diets.
Conclusion
The study showed that mixed Gmelina and Moringa leaf meal inclusion and the sampling periods have no detrimental effects on in Red Sokoto does fed D.smutsii based diets. The animals were not stressed and were in healthy condition throughout the period of the study. It was therefore concluded that mixed Gmelina and Moringa leaf meal can be included in the diets of Red Sokoto does up to 30% without adverse effects on them.
