Blood profile of West African dwarf bucks fed <i>Vigna unguiculata</i> L. (cowpea) husk and <i>Gmelina arborea</i> 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