Haematological and serum biochemical indices of growing pigs fed varying levels of beniseed (Sesamum indicum l.) hull in replacement for maize

Abstract

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the nutrient content of beniseed hull (BSH) as a substitute for maize, and its effect on haematological and serum biochemical indices of growing pigs. Sixty 8-weeks old growing pigs (Landrace x Large white) were randomly allotted into five dietary treatments with three replicates of four animals per replicate in a completely randomized design. Five diets were formulated by incorporating BSH into the basal diet to replace maize at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% designated as D1 (control), D2, D3, D4 and D5, respectively and fed to growing pigs for ten weeks. Diets had no significant effect on the parameters measured, except White blood cell (WBC) and Lymphocytes. The highest WBC count (x109/L) (P < 0.05) of 23.70 was obtained in pigs fed 50% BSH-based diets compared with 15.55 (0% BSH), 14.00 (25% BSH), 21.45 (75% BSH) and 15.10 (100% BSH), respectively. The lymphocyte counts of pigs fed 25% BSH (60.00%) and 75% BSH (76.50%) were statistically similar to those on other dietary treatments. The cholesterol values recorded in pigs fed with the control diet (0% BSH) (125.00 mg/dL) and 25% BSH (122.50 mg/dL) were similar but significantly (P < 0.05) reduced to 119.50 mg/Dl (50% BSH), 118.00 mg/dL(75% BSH) and 104.00 mg/dL (100% BSH), respectively, as the level of BSH increases. The High-density lipoprotein, HDL value (20.95 mg/dL) of pigs fed with control diet (0% BSH) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than HDL values of pigs placed on other diets. The total protein (g/dL) 7.08 (0% BSH), 7.11 (25% BSH), 7.00 (50% BSH) were similar (P > 0.05) but significantly (P < 0.05) higher than 6.81 (75% BSH) and 6.66 (100% BSH). Beniseed hull poses no health challenge to the growing pigs as depicted by normal haematological and serum biochemical indices including lowest cholesterol at 100% BSH; beniseed hull could safely replace maize in pig’s diets up to 100% level.