Blood profile of West African Dwarf growing bucks fed Pleurotus ostreatus-treated Megathyrsus maximus and Brachiaria decumbens –cassava peel-based diets

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of Pleurotus ostreatus treated Megathyrsus maximus var. ntchisii (TMMN) and Brachiaria decumbens (TBD) based diets on the haematological and serum biochemistry of Twenty-four West African Dwarf (WAD) growing bucks. The bucks were randomly divided into six groups of four bucks each and offered different diets for 21 days. The diets were formulated to contain 0, 20, and 30 % dietary levels of inclusion of P. ostreatus TMMN (T1, T2 & T3) and TBD (T4, T5 & T6); 50 % concentrate each; and either 50 % or 30 % or 20 % cassava peels respectively. Blood samples were collected on the last day for analysis. Results showed that only goats on 30 % TBD diets recorded a significantly (P < 0.05) improved haematological red blood cells (15.2 – 16.2 x 1012/l), packed cell volume (33.5 – 34.8 %), haemoglobin (11.8 – 12.2 g/dl) levels, and improved serum TP (7.6 – 8.5 g/dl), glucose (70.5 – 90.4 mg/dl), and cholesterol (105.2 – 117.3 mg/dl) levels. The study revealed that the inclusion of TBD up to 30% in WAD buck diets had no deleterious effect on the haematological and serum biochemical indices of the bucks, thus maintaining the bucks in good health conditions.