Effect of cassava peels and palm kernel cake (PKC) on the heamatological and serum biochemical of grower pigs in Nigeria

Abstract

The research was carried out for a period of ten weeks at the piggery unit of the teaching and research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of cassava peels and palm kernel cake (PKC) at 50:50 ratio on the heamatological and serum biochemical of grower pigs. Forty (40) grower pigs of large white were used; pigs were divided into 5 groups based on average initial weights (20-25kg) and each group of grower pigs were respectively allocated to each of the five treatment diets in a completely randomized design (CRD). At the end of the ten (10) weeks feeding trial, the animals were starved of feed for 12 hours before blood samples were collected from two pigs each per treatment from the ear vein using a sterilized disposable syringe   and needle. The parameters determine were red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC), total protein, albumin, and globulin and serum cholesterol. The result indicated that heamatological and serum biochemical parameters assessed fall within the normal range and is an indication of good nutrition and adequate nutrient intake. Therefore, the animals did not suffered muscular wastage but efficient utilization of cassava peels and palm kernel cake, ultimately resulted in high tissue deposition across treatment groups.