Haematological Parameters and Serum Biochemical Indices of West African Dwarf Rams Fed Diets Containing Tetrapleura tetraptera (African Porridge) Fruit Meal

Purpose: Plant secondary metabolites available in Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit meal (TTFM) could be exploited as natural safe additive to enhance the physiological health status of rams. Thus, this study investigated the haematological and serum biochemical indices of West African Dwarf (WAD) rams fed diets containing varying levels of TTFM. Methodology: Twenty five (25) WAD rams with an average live weight of 13.20 ± 0.20kg were used in a completely randomized design for 140 days. Five concentrate diets containing varying levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%) of TTFM were formulated while Panicum maximum was fed as a basal diet. Blood samples were collected at the onset and the end of the experiment for haematological and serum biochemical indices. Data collected were subjected to one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Findings: Results showed that haematological parameters were not significantly (p>0.05) different in all dietary treatments except for eosinophil obtained at 20th week of the study with the lowest (p>0.05) value at 1.5% TTFM. Total serum protein and glucose values were positively influenced as addition of TTFM increased. It can be concluded that TTFM could be utilized for ram productivity without any adverse effect on the health status of experimental rams. Recommendation: It can therefore be recommended that TTFM could be included into the diets of WAD rams up to 2.0% level to improve the positive blood profile responses.