Effect of graded garlic extract on haematology and serum chemistry of sheep in semi-arid Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the effect of garlic extract on haematology and serum biochemistry of sheep fed concentrate corn cob diet in semi-arid region of Borno state. Sixteen (16) sheep of non-descript breed weighing on average 21.56 kg were used. The animals were divided into 4-groups and each group of 4-animals was randomly assigned to one of the treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD). The experiment lasted for 8 weeks. The treatments were 0.0ml, 2.5ml, 5ml, and 7.5ml of garlic extract for T₀ T₁, T₂, T₃, respectively. The results showed significant (P<0.05) differences among the treatments in Packed Cell Volume (PCV) Red Blood Cell (RBC), Haemoglobin (Hb),White Blood Cell (WBC), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH), , while Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) and White Blood Cell differential values were not influenced (P>0.05) by the levels of garlic extract. Total Protein, Globulin, Glucose, Urea, Creatinine, Cholesterol, Aspartate Aminotransferase and Alanine Aminotransferase were significantly different among the treatment groups (P<0.05) while albumin and alkaline phosphate ALP) were not different (P>0.05).Drenching with 5 ml garlic extract ( treatment T₃) has more effect in reducing serum cholesterol than drenching with 2.5 ml ( treatment T₂). It was concluded that garlic extract has significant effect on reducing serum cholesterol without negative effect on blood composition.