Haematology and Serum Biochemistry of West African Dwarf (Wad) Goats Fed Selected Tropical Browse Plants
Abstract
The study explored the effect of feeding different tropical browse plants on the haematology and serum biochemistry of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats under different management system, namely: intensive and semi-intensive system. Bucks in Thad the highest Pack cell volume and Haemoglobin mean values of 28.17% and 9.37g/dl. Bucks in T 2 1 recorded highest mean value in Platelets and Lymphocyte as 238.33x103/uland 58.83% respectively. Under intensive system, pack cell volume and Haemoglobin recorded high mean values of 28.08% and 9.33g/dl. Whereas highest value of Platelets 225.25(x103/ul) was reported under intensive system. PCV recorded high mean value of 34.33% and 29.33% in bucks ofT 2 and T under intensive and semi-intensive system respectively. Lymphocyte (L) recorded high mean value of 62.67% in bucks 3 ofT under intensive system unlike semi-intensive system that recorded 60.00% in bucks ofT as its high mean value. Aspartate 1 4 aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are statistically significant (P<0.05) even with lower mean values ofT (18.17u/l), T (20.83u/l), T (21.50u/l), T (21.50u/l) and T (4.45u/l), T (5.89u/l), T (5.77u/l), T (6.67u/l) 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 respectively. Total protein was noted with high mean value in all the treatments with corresponding values of 64.50g/l, 71.00g/l, 70.33g/land 72.67g/l. AST, ALT, TPand Globulin recorded high mean values of 25.25u/l, 7.16u/l, 72.00g/land 27.00g/dlrespectively under semi-intensive system, while their low mean values were revealed under intensive system. AST recorded high mean value of 29.00(u/l) in bucks ofT under semi-intensive system followed by bucks in T having mean value of 3 4 28.00(u/l). Consequently, ALB and GLO in bucks ofT and T under semi-intensive system recorded high mean values of 4 2 49.00g/land 29.00g/dlrespectively. The study recommends that WAD goats managed intensively to supplementation of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) should be adopted since they showed more stability in the haematological and biochemical serum for maximum production.
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Introduction
The West African Dwarf Goat (WAD) is the most important small ruminant breed in West African wetlands, accounting for approximately 38 percent of the region's 38 million goats. (Gall, 1996). This variety has good environmental adaptability and an innate ability to "resist the effects of trypanosome infections. and quot; (Steele, 1996). The feeding behavior of West African Dwarf Goats (WAD) is typically representative of traditional husbandry techniques and these goats forage for their daily nutritional needs. (Daramola et al., 2005). Traditional goat farming in Nigeria is mostly practiced in traditional ways, which leads to poor nutrition and encourages the search for alternative cheap feeds that are in less demand. (Amaefuru, 2002). Smallholders in rural Nigeria are highly dependent on goats due to their socio-economic importance and an integral part of the cultural existence and fabric of Nigeria (Ajala, 2004; Anaeto et al., 2009). Ruminants, including goats, play an important role in improving low consumption of animal proteins in Nigeria and other developing countries. Despite the importance of goats, their production continues to be hampered by the scarcity of fodder quantity and quality at certain times of the year. Nigeria continues to suffer from inadequate quality and quantity of ruminant feed supplies resulting in low ruminant productivity. The problem of lack of fodder can be solved by providing high-quality fodder, but in dry times, when the quality of fodder deteriorates, this is not practical. In addition, traditional forages such as grains and oilseeds available at that time of year are too expensive to feed ruminants. Therefore, there is an urgent need for researchers to find alternative and sustainable food sources that do not compete with human food. This underlines the need to develop innovative solutions to meet the challenges posed by feed shortages.
Maintaining the nutritional status and physical well-being of goats is extremely important and requires careful monitoring and thorough blood analysis. (Ibhaze and Fajemisin, 2017). Hematological parameters are important indicators used in the monitoring and evaluation of animal welfare and nutritional status, which Babatunde et al. (1992). Analyzing the "hematological and biochemical parameters of WAD goats" can be a means of obtaining valuable information about their potential for productive performance. (Taiwo and Ogunsanmi, 2003). Therefore, analysis of blood samples is a quick and readily available method to evaluate the clinical and nutritional results of nutritional trials. (Babatunde et al., 1992). Ibhaze (2015) stated that there are several factors that cause variations in blood parameters in animals such as “nutrient levels, age, sex, breed and physiological state of the animal”. "Blood chemistry parameters such as glucose, total protein, blood urea nitrogen and cholesterol" have been used to assess the nutritional value of cattle (Gleen et al., 2006). Blood chemical profiles, which include parameters such as glucose, lipids and proteins, change in goats when feed or protein is reduced (Irkham et al., 2016). Aletor et al. (2012), "the effect of food on blood and serum chemistry must be extremely important because blood transports gases, nutrients and excretory products in the body". Bawala et al. (2008) emphasized that nutritional research should not be limited to "performance, carcass quality and protein intake" but should also consider effects on blood components. Conducting hematological and biochemical studies is crucial for accurate evaluation of various procedures, feeding habits and medical conditions of animals (Ahmed et al., 2009; Hassan et al., 2012; Okoruwa and Ikhimioya, 2014). However, data on the hematology and serum biochemistry of West African pygmy goats fed a selected tropical plant diet of Vernonica amygdalina, Spondias mombins, Alchornia cordifolia and Newbouldia are insufficient. As a result, this study is conducted to address this knowledge.
Conclusion
Assessment of liver function and damage is critical in the "diagnosis and treatment of liver disease". Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are important biomarkers commonly used to assess liver function. According to Yildirim et al (2011), these enzymes and#039; blood activity may indicate liver damage. An increase in their levels above normal can also be related to muscle damage. These enzymes and#039; normal values suggest that the processed diets did not damage the integrity of the liver and the animal as stated in the study by Aikpitanyi and Egweh (2020). In this study, serum protein was found in the range of 30-65 g/dL, which corresponds to serum protein values reported by Merck (2011) in clinically healthy dwarf goats. The serum albumin values observed in this study were similar to those of WAD goats by Yusuf et al. (2012) but higher than Okoruwani et al. reported intervals. (2014) and Opara et al. (2010) respectively. This finding suggests that the dietary protein content was sufficient to support the growth of the animal, as Olafadehan et al. (2020). Based on the AST and ALP values reported by Merck (2011), this study recorded reduced values indifferent management systems, indicating that WAD goats can perform well in all management systems used. Imasuen (2014) agreed with this. Based on the results, hairy leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) supplementation is recommended for intensively treated WAD goats because their hematological and biochemical serum showed a more stable maximum production. Therefore, further research should be conducted and directed to determine the standard threshold of blood parameters (hematological and serum biochemical indices) and the level of added sorghum plant supplementation for goats reared under different systemic exposures.