Blood profiling and growth response of goats fed diets containing tomentosa nilotica seed meal

The feed quality have direct/indirect impact on the blood profiles of animal and determines health status. Hence, this study was carried out to investigate the dietary effect of T. nilotica seed meal (TNSM) on haematology and serum biochemical indices of goats. 15 West African Dwarf goats with a similar age range of 12-18 months old and body/live-weight of 6.88±0.26 kg were randomly allocated to 5 dietary treatments with 3 goats per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design arrangement for 12 weeks. Unprocessed TNSM were collected, screened and milled and were used to replace palm kernel cake at 20% (diet B), 30% (diet C), 40% (diet D) and 50% (diet E) replacement levels in a complete concentrate diets while diet A (control diet) had no T. nilotica. Nutrient composition, intake and animals' blood samples were assessed. Results revealed that all parameters observed were significantly (p<0.05) different. At 20%, DWG, FGR were best. PCV, RBC, Hb values of the goats decreased with increased with replacement level of PKC with TNSM. It could be concluded that TNSM could serve as protein source in place of PKC in goat diet up to 20% without any adverse effects on growth and health status.