Haematological and Biochemical Parameters of Uda Lambs Fed Graded Levels of Alkali -Treated Neem Kernel Cake

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding alkali- treated neem kernel cake (ATNKC) on haematological and biochemical parameters of Uda lambs. It was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto with 20 male Uda lambs. The experimental animals were allotted (n=5) to diets A, B, C, D and E with 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% levels of inclusion of ATNKC, respectively. The experiment lasted for 84days. Blood samples were collected at the end of the experiment for analyses of haematological and biochemical parameters. Haematological and biochemical parameters of the experimental animals on control and test diets were normal. The mean values for per cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and red blood cell (RBC) in treatments E, D, C and B were not significantly (P>0.05) different from treatment A which served as the control. However, the white blood cell value in treatment A (11.67x10⁹l) was similar to the values in treatments E (9.70 x10⁹l), B (9.67 x10⁹l ) and C(9.53 x10⁹l) but significantly (P<0.05) different that of treatment D(8.90 x10⁹). The values for neutrophil, eosinophil and basophil in the control treatment were not significantly (P>0.05) different from the test treatment except lymphocytes and monocytes. For biochemical parameters, the values to total protein, albumin, globulin, SGPT, total bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin in the control and test treatment did not show any significant (P>0.05) difference except in SGOT and unconjugated bilirubin. Urea nitrogen concentration, Creatinine and potassium values did not show any significant (P>0.05) difference between the control and test treatments. It was recommended in the study that alkali treated neem kernel cake can be safely included in feed of sheep up to 20% levels for lambs.

Keywords: Uda lambs; Alkali- treated neem kernel cake; haematological and biochemical parameters

Nigerian Journal of Basic and Applied Science (2011), 19(2): 277-284