Growth performance and blood profile of grazing Red Sokoto bucks fed <i>Xylopia aethiopica</i> seed meal diets

Abstract

This study was aimed at assessing the growth performance and blood profile of grazing Red Sokoto bucks fed Xylopia aethiopica seed meal diet. Nine (9) Red Sokoto bucks were apportioned to three (3) dietary treatments; T1, T2, and T3 at 0%, 2.5% and 5% Xylopia aethiopica seed meal inclusion level in a completely randomized design. The weights of the animals were taken at the beginning of the experiment and done weekly to determine the live weight changes. Feed intake was calculated as the difference between feed served and refusals. The experiment lasted 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of the experimental animals and taken to the laboratory for haematological and biochemical analysis. Xylopia aethiopica supplementation did not statistically (P<0.05) affect performance. There were significant (P<0.05) differences in the Packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), platelet, neutrophil, lymphocyte, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), chloride, urea and creatinine values of the goats though they all fell within the normal range for goats. Xylopia aethiopica seed meal diet had no deleterious effects on performance and health conditions of the Red Sokoto bucks and is recommended for use in goat production at 5.0% inclusion levels.

Key words: Creatinine; haemoglobin; negro pepper; packed cell volume and white blood cells.