HAEMATOLOGY AND SERUM CHEMISTRY VALUES OF PRE-PUBERTAL BOARS FED AIDAN (Tetrapleura tetraptera) POD MEAL

Abstract

A total of 18, 6-week old crossbred (Large White x Duroc) weaner boars, averaging 9.47kg were used to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of Tetrapleura tetraptera pod pulp meal (APM) on their haematological and serum chemistry profiles for a period of 12 weeks. The boars were randomly assigned to three treatment groups of 6 animals each; treatment one (control) had 0.00% APM, while APM was included in the basal diet at 2.50% and 5.00% to constitute treatments two and three, respectively. Each treatment was replicated thrice, with 2 animals in a replicate in a completely randomized design. Data were collected for haematology and serum chemistry indices. Results indicated significant (P<0.05) increase in erythrocyte and platelet counts with serum albumin in APM-fed boars. There were significantly (P<0.05) higher packed cell volume, high-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol at 2.5% APM as white blood cell and mean cell haemoglobin concentration were significantly lowered by the same level of APM. Mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin and triglycerides were reduced significantly by APM. While serum glucose and globulin were increased significantly at 5.0% APM, total protein, AST, ALT and creatinine followed a reverse trend. It was concluded that APM enhanced the haematology, serum albumin, globulin and glucose; and moderated the liver and kidney metabolites, especially at 5.0%, indicating a positive influence on hepatic and renal efficiencies.