ABSTRACT

Twelve(12) West Africa dwarf(WAD) bucks, about 5-8 months of age, having a weight range from 5-6kg were used to evaluate the haematology and serum biochermistry of goats fed diets containing varying ratios of P. max and Aichornea cordjfolia. Four dietary treatments containing P. max and A. cordifolia at the ratio of 0:0, 40:60, 50:50, and 60:40 designated Ti, T2, T3 and T4 respectively were used in 56days study. There were three animals per treatment with one animal representing a replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). Ten (l0ml) of blood was collected through the jugular vein of the animals at the 56th day of the study. Half (5m1) of the blood sample was collected in a bottle containing EDTA for haematological parameters, while the second half (5m1) was collected in an anticoagulant free bottle for serum biochemistry determination. The results showed that haematological parameters such as Packed cell volume (PCV), Haemolobin (Hb), Red blood cell (RBC), Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and White blood cell counts: lymphocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, and basophil were not significantly (P>0.05) different among the treatments means, While White blood cell and eosinophil were significant (P<0.05) different. Serum biochemical parameters such as Total protein, Urea, Albumin, Globulin, and Aspartate Amino Transferase (AST) were not significant [P>0.05] different but urea were high in the mean values while Alanine Amino Transferase (ALT) were significantly (P<0.05) different from the mean values. This study showed that replacement of maize offal with P. maximum and A. cordfolia at 40:60(2:3) ratio concentrate diet of WAD goats promoted the protein quality of diet and did not affect haematology and serum biochemistry of WAD goats. In conclusion, feeding goats in the tropical environment with P. max. And A. cordfolia at 2:3 ratios in combination with P. max. and centrocema basal diet will be• ideal for maintenance of good health condition of the animals.