HAEMATOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF PIGS FED MUSARPOMS AS A REPLACEMENT FOR MAIZE IN THEIR DIETS

ABSTRACT

One of the reliable information for evaluating nutritional status, performance and physiological state of farm animals to nutrient utilization is through haematological indices assessment. A six weeks study was conducted using 20 crossbred weaner pigs of average weight 10.67kg to determine the effects of different levels of graded Musarpoms (ripe plantain peels and palm oil mill slurry) on the haematology of the pigs. The pigs were divided into five groups of 4 each, and randomly assigned to five treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD). The pigs were housed in individual pens, with each animal representing a replicate. The graded Musarpoms was included in the diets at 0, 30, 40, 50 and 60% levels. Feed and water were offered ad-libitum. Blood was collected from the ear lobe of each animal at the end of the study period. The parameters measured were haemaglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), neutrophils, lymphocyte and monocyte. The results showed that the red blood cell (RBC×106 µl), haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV %), white blood cell (WBC×103 µl), neutrophils (%) and lymphocytes (%) differed (P<0.05) significantly among the treatment diets. The red blood cell recorded highest value in treatment three (3) with 5.43 x 106 µL and lowest in treatment two (2) with 4.79 x 106 µL. The white blood cell recorded highest value in treatment five (5) with 18.15 x 103 µL and lowest value in treatment four (4) with 12.17 x 103 µL. Lymphocytes recorded highest value in treatment four (4) with 65.35% and lowest value in treatment one(1) with 59.89%. The result indicated that Musarpoms can be incorporated into diets for weaner pigs at different percentage level of inclusion without adverse effect on the haematological welfare of the animals.