The Haematological and Serum Biochemistry of four Breeds of Cattle fed Palm Kernel Cake based diet
Abstract
The objective was to investigate haematological and serum biochemical parameters of four Nigerian breeds of cattle grazed and supplemented with palm kernel cake. Twenty four yearlings were used for this study. Experiment was a 2×4 factorial laid in a completely randomized design. Animals were divided into two groups, one group fed experimental diet and also grazed while the other only grazed. At the end of eight weeks feeding trial, four animals of different breeds were from each group making a total of eight animals selected. Blood samples were collected from these animals via jugular vein puncture using sterilized disposable syringe. Parameters determined were red blood cell, white blood cell, pack cell volume, haemoglobulin, mean corpuscular haemoglobulin, mean corpuscular haemoglobulin concentration, mean corpuscular valve, total protein, globulin, creatinine, albumin, cholesterol, urea, amino transferase and alanine transferase. The data collected were analyzed using IBM SPSS (2011). Results revealed that concentrate and grazing and grazing alone had effect (p<0.05) with the following values respectively on Hb (9.29,7.05), WBC (9.29,5.20), RBC (6.40,5.03), PCV (25.91,18.01), MCH (13.81,14.15), MCHC (35.00,34.84) and PLT (590.25,501.25) of breeds but had no effect on MCV (40.10,22.56) of breeds (p>0.05) though parameters were within normal range for cattle. Similarly, concentrate and grazing, and grazing alone had effect (p<0.05) on serum biochemical profile with the following values respectively total protein (7.85,7.43), albumin (4.54,2.81) total cholesterol (145.00,145.38), urea (38.75,3919) and alanine transferase (69.55,61.83) but had no effect (p>0.05) on creatinine (0.96,1.04), globulin (2.91,3.62) and aspartate aminotransferase (68.43,75.88) although all values were still within normal range for cattle. It is therefore concluded that blood biochemical parameters and haematology were within range in all treatments indicating that diet did not exert any deleterious effect. Animals that fed on concentrate however recorded higher values for most parameters. Therefore, the supplementation of Cattle diet with PKC is advisable.
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Introduction
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated animals (www.agriculturwnigeria.com). They command a prominent position in our meat and livestock industry. Cattle are also utilized for milk, hides and skin which is processed into leather, it’s byproducts such as dung is utilized as manure and fuel.
Rangelands for animals to graze only blossom in the rainy season while in the dry season, they become standing hay (Bamigboye et al.,2013).Feed accounts for about two-third of the cost of meat production (Vecchiettin and Giardini, 2000) which is about 70-90% of total cost of fattening cattle (Lamidi, 2005).High cost of conventional feedstuffs have made research efforts to be directed towards harnessing and enhancing the utilization of agricultural byproducts and crop residues for livestock feeding.
Palm kernel cake is highly fibrous and has a medium grade protein content which is more suitable in feeding of ruminants and rabbits (Pichard, 2005). Protein content of palm kernel cake is between 18-25% (Onwuka et al.,2014). Palm kernel cake is deficient in lysine, methionine, histidine and threonine. Palm kernel is gritty and high in fibre content. The health status of animals maintained under different feeding conditions is one of the criteria for welfare assessment. The assessment is through the haematology and serum biochemistry of the animal. The need to observe the changes taking place in the animal’sbody in response to external factors such as nutrition as it affects haematological and biochemical parameters cannot be overemphasized (Scamell, 2006). When haematological and serum biochemical values fall within the normal range established for the animal, it is an indication that the diet does not show adverse effect on the animal. Haematological and serum biochemical components are valuable in monitoring feed toxicity especially with feed constituents that affect the blood as well as health status of farm animal. Haematology and serum biochemistry assay of livestock determine the physiological disposition of the animals to their nutrition (Menon et al, 2013). Haematological traits especially PCV and Hbare correlated with the nutritional status of animals PCV and other haematological parameters are useful aids to prognosis and may reveal adverse condition even when the animal does not display obvious clinical signs of ill health. Thus biochemical determination of serum constituents and blood examination can provide valuable information regarding nutrition, and other environmental factors that influence the performance and wellbeing of animals (Ate et al., 2009; Al-Fartosiet al., 2010; Diostanzo and Gill, 2012). Serum vitamin, protein and lipid concentrations are affected by diet/nutrition (Swanson et al, 2004). Diet is therefore an important factor influencing rumen environment and blood metabolite. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of palm kernel cake on haematology and serum biochemistry of four breeds of cattle.
Conclusion
From the results obtained in this study, it is concluded that the use of palm kernel cake as supplement to cattle did not have any adverse effect on haematology and serum biochemistry of the different breeds of cattle rather all parameters were within the normal range for healthy cattle.
I recommend that farmers use palm kernel cake in fattening their cattle as it no negative effects on health of animals but rather promotes growth and meet up the dietary requirements of the animals.