Haematology and Serum analysis of West African Dwarf (WAD) rams fed silage combinations of Maize Forage and Mucuna pruriens L. foliage

Abstract

Forage is of good quality when it can meet the nutrient requirements of ruminants all
year round without deleterious effects on the health status of animals. Ruminants in
the tropics are mostly sustained on native pastures, which are not available in the dry
season. Scarcity of native pasture during the dry season predisposes flocks to weight
loss and high mortality. Ensiling to preserve forage resources such as maize forage
and Mucuna pruriens can circumvent this problem all year round. However,
information on the haematology and serum biochemical status of WAD rams fed
silage combinations maize forage and Mucuna pruriens foliage has not been
adequately documented. Therefore, the haematology and serum biochemical
analysis of West African dwarf (WAD) rams fed silage combinations of Maize
Forage (MF) and Mucuna pruriens foliage (MPF) was assessed. Downy mildew and
streak resistant (DMR-SR) yellow variety maize was planted and harvested as MF at
six weeks of growth and ensiled with MPF at four levels : 1:0, 3:1, 1:1 and 1:3 for
21 days. The silages were then fed to 20 WAD rams (12.00±0.25 kg) in a completely
randomised design for 105 days. Haemoglobin (g/dL), neutrophils (%), glucose,
High Density Lipoproteins (HDL, mg/dL) and Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL,
mg/dL) of blood (5 mL) collected from the rams before and after 105 days feeding
trial were determined using standard procedures. Data obtained were analysed
using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at á Higher heamoglobin, neutrophils and0.05.
HDL were recorded for T2 (9.49±0.91, 41.2±3.8%, 54.70±7.20) and least in rams on
T4 (6.11±0.20, 35.2±3.1%, 30.50±5.30), respectively. The LDL was highest in rams
on T4 (3.25±0.60) and least in rams on T1 (1.20±0.30). Glucose level was
significantly higher in T1 (73.00 mg/dL) compared with T2 (63.48 mg/dL), T3 (58.24
mg/dL) and T4 (52.28 mg/dL), respectively. Ensiling maize forage with Mucuna
pruriens foliage at 3:1 improved performance, enhanced silage preference and
increased dressing percentage in West African dwarf rams without any deleterious
effect on blood profile.