Blood profile of West African dwarf bucks fed Vigna unguiculata L. (cowpea) husk and Gmelina arborea Roxb as basal diet

Abstract

The health implication of Vigna unguiculata L. husk on 20 West African dwarf (WAD) bucks of weights averaging 9.64 kg was investigated in a completely randomized design. Haemato-biochemical profile of the bucks was evaluated in an 84-day study. Four dietary treatments were formulated and compounded to contain 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% of cowpea husk and these were designated T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. Results showed that the packed cell volume (PCV) which was between 29.80 - 34.80% showed significant differences (P<0.05) among the treatment means. T4 (34.80%) was higher (P<0.05) than T2 (29.80%), but similar to the rest treatments. The red blood cells (RBCs) also showed significant difference (P<0.05) among the treatments with a value range of 9.96 - 12.02 x10⁶/μl. The RBCs and haemoglobin values of the bucks in T2 (9.96 x106/μl) and (9.94g/dl) respectively were lower (P<0.05) than the rest treatments. White blood cells (WBC) also showed treatment effect (P<0.05), T1 (11.64 g/dl) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than all the other treatments. All the serum biochemical parameters evaluated were similar (P>0.05) among the treatments. The study demonstrates that inclusion of 75% of cowpea husk in the diets of the buck did not compromise the health of the animals.

Keywords: Cowpea husk, West African dwarf bucks, haematology, serum biochemistry