Effects of Dietary Inclusions of Whole Cassava Root Meal on the Hematology of Hybrid Catfish

Abstract

This experiment was conducted on the possibility of replacing maize (Zea mays) with varying levels of whole cassava (Manihot esculenta) root meal (WCRM) at 0(Ao) 33(B₃₃), 66(C₆₆), and 100(D₁₀₀)% inclusions in the diet of hybrid catfish fingerlings for a period of 32 weeks. The fish were fed twice daily at 5% body weight. At the end of the trial, some hematological parameters of the fish were assessed. The results obtained, showed that the treatment caused a significant increase (p<0.05) in the blood glucose and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). The values of hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), platelets (PLT), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), platelets (PLT), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were also raised in the treated groups above the control value. The highest values of Hb (10.16±1.0 g/dl), PCV (44.33± 3.4%), PLT (508.17±235.41 cells x 10^9/L) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (3.00±4.90 pg) were recorded at 66% inclusion level indicating a stress free condition of the fish.

Keywords: Catfish, maize, cassava root meal, hematology