HAEMATOLOGY AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF KALAWAD WEANER GOATS FED DIETS CONTAINING MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAF MEAL

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the haematology and serum biochemical parameters of KALAWAD weaner goats fed diets containing Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MLM). The research was carried out at the Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB). A total of 12 weaner KALAWAD goats aged of 12-14 weeks old and comprised of 6 males and 6 females were used for the experiment. The goats were allotted to three experimental treatment groups which were: 0, 5.0, and 7.5% Moringa oleifera leaf meal inclusion levels. Data collected were subjected to One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) in a Completely Randomized Design. The parameters measured were: Packed cell volume (PCV), Red blood cell (RBC), Haemoglobin (Hb) White blood cell (WBC), Mean Corpuscular volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC). The Biochemical parameters were: Proteins, Albumin, Glucose, Cholesterol, Phosphorous, Calcium, Aspartate amino transferase (AST) Alanine amino transferase (ALT) Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT). The results showed that 7.5% MLM inclusion level had demonstrated to be important sources of feed and health benefits that would go a long way in filling feed shortage gaps and fighting diseases without adverse effect on the animal. In this study, it was concluded that the inclusion of 7.5% MLM into the diets improved the well-being of the KALAWAD goats.