Haematological Indices and Carcass Composition of African Catfish <i>Clarias gariepinus</i> (Burchell, 1822) Fingerlings Fed with Fluted Pumpkin Leaf (<i>Telfairia Occidentalis</i>) as Feed Additives

Abstract

A feeding trial was carried out for 56 days to ascertain the effects of Telfairia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin) as a feed additive on the haematological profile and nutrients value of Clarias gariepinus carcass. C. gariepinus fingerlings (mean body weight 9.6g) were randomly distributed in plastic bowls at nine fish per bowl in triplicates. Five diets designated as D1 to D5 with 40% crude protein containing 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200g/kg of T. occidentalis leaf powder were fed to C. gariepinus fingerlings at 5% body weight per day. The results showed that T. occidentalis additive significantly (P≤0.05) improved the haematological parameters of the fish. The mean value of white blood cells (WBC) count (μL) in the diets fed with T. occidentalis were significantly higher (D2-D5 : 870.20, 864.80, 840.30, 876.40, respectively) than the diet without T. occidentalis (D1 783.15). A similar trend was observed in PCV, MCV, MCHC, MCH, and platelets. However, HB D1 (control) had higher values than the diet containing T. occidentalis. Meanwhile, in carcass quality, there was an increase in the crude protein of all the fish but the group that consumed T. occidentalis had a higher carcass crude protein and lower lipid, while the control had a higher lipid value. Meanwhile, the initial values obtained before the feeding trials had lower crude protein and higher lipid value when compared with the fish that was fed with the experimental diet. In conclusion, T. occidentalis leaf meal can be utilized to improve the haematological  parameters of the fish, with an increase in the WBC there is a high possibility of the fish to withstand pathogenic attacks because Blood is a major parameter that determines the physiological, immune , and nutritional status of an organism, also WBC are important blood  constituents for defense against diseases, pathogens and unwanted foreign bodies in an organism.