Fore-Stomach Digesta in the Diets of Growing Sheep II: Haematological Parameters and Blood Urea Nitrogen

Abstract

Thc study was conducted to evaluate the haematological parameters and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of growing sheep fed varying levels of fore-stomach digesta replacing cowpea husk at 0 (control), 10, 20, 30 and 40% levels designated as treatments 1, 2,3,4 and 5 respectively. PCV values decreased in treat- ments 1-4 at the end of the feeding trial with treatment 2 being the most significantly affected (P<0.05). Significant increase (P<0.05) in PCV was recorded only for animals on treatment 5. Hb and monocytes tended to decline not significantly (p>O.05) from treatments 1-5. RBC increased in all treatments with treatments 1 and 3 recording the highest significant (p<0.05) increase. Neutrophils were significantly lowest (p<0.05) in treatment 2 compared to others. Lymphocytes and Eosinophils were significantly higher (P<O.05) for animals on treatments 2 and 5 respectively compared to those on the other treat- ments. Total proteins and albumins were not significantly affected (p>0.05) by the inclusion of FSD in the diets of the animals. However, urea concentration and globulin were affected with treatment 1 giving significantly (P<0.05) the highest urea, while treatments 2 and 3 gave significantly (P<O.05) the highest globulin compared to others. No ill-health problem was encountered as a result offeeding FSD to the growing sheep.