ABSTRACT

A feeding trial lasting 56 days was conducted using 12 crossbred weaner pigs with average initial weight of 10kg to determine the effects of different levels of bambara groundnut offal (Vigna subterranea) on the haematology and blood chemistry of the pigs. The animals were randomly assigned to four treatments using completely randomized design (CRD). Three pigs housed in individual pens represented a treatment. The bambara groundnut offal (BGO) was included in the diets at 0, I 0, 20 30% levels. Feed and water were offered ad-libitum. Blood was collected from the ear lobe of each animal at the end of the feeding trial. The parameters of interest were haamaglobin (Hb ), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), neutrophils, lymphocyte, monocyte and eosinophil and blood serum chemistry which include glucose, urea, creatinine, total bilirubin, concentration bilirubin, total protein, amino transaminase and alkaline phosphate. Results showed that the red blood cell (RBCx10"), haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV %), white blood cell (WBCx10"), neutrophils (%) and lymphocytes (%) differed (P<0.05) significantly among the treatment diets. The values were, red blood cell (4.75, 4.55, 3.80 and 4.70x10°), haemoglobin (12.70, 10.10, 9.25, and 10.05g/dl), packed cell volume (37.00, 30.50, 28.00 and 30.50%), white blood cell (10.20, 15.95, 14.00 and 19.90x10"), neutrophils (43.00, 35.00, 36.00 and 24.50%) and lymphocytes (52.50, 62.00, 60.50 and 62.00%) for diets I, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Glucose (mg/dl), urea (mg/di) and total protein (g/dl) differed (P<0.05) significantly among treatment means. The values were glucose (18.30, 14.60, I 0.05 and I l.00mg/dl), urea (62.35, 42.25, 45.30 and 52.40mg/dl) and total protein (6.00, 8.70, 6.65 and 5.00g/dl) for diets I, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. However, monocyte, eosinophil, creatinine, total bilirubin, concentration bilirubin, alkaline phosphate and alanine aminotransferase did not differ (P>0.05) significantly among the treatment means. The result indicated that raw bambara groundnut offal can be incorporated into diet for weaner pigs at 30% level of inclusion without adverse effect on the physiological welfare of the animals.