Haematology and Biochemistry of West African Dwarf (Wad) Bucks Fed Crop by-Products in Humid Tropical Nigeria

The haematology and blood biochemistry of West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks fed crop by-products: T1 (Yam peels), T2 (Cassava
peels), T3 (Sweet potato peels) and T4 (Ripe plantain peels were investigated. On the last day of a 90-day experimental feeding and
growth trial, two sets of blood samples were taken from 2 WAD bucks per dietary treatment via jugular venipuncture using a 10ml
20guage syringe. One set of the blood samples (5ml) was collected into plastic tubes containing the anti-coagulant ethylene diamine
tetraacetic acid (EDTA) for the determination of haematological parameters. The other set of blood samples (5ml) was collected into
anti-coagulant free plastic tubes, allowed to coagulate at room temperature and centrifuged for 10 mins at 3000 r pm. The supernatant sera were then stored in a freezer for subsequent biochemical analysis. Results revealed that the haematological values and blood biochemistry for the WAD bucks in all the treatment groups fell within the reference range for normal goats in terms of WBC (4 – 13 x 103 /μL), RBC (8.0 – 18.0 x 106/μl), MCV (16 – 25 fl), MCH (5.2 – 8.0 pg), MCHC (30 – 36 g/dl), Hb (8 - 12 x g/dl), PCV (24 – 48%), PLT (3– 6 x 1011 /L) and GLUC ((2.7 – 4.2 mmol/L), CREAT (59.7 – 134.8 μmol/L), CHOLES (1.54 mmol/L), BUN (32. 25 –
37.30 mg/dl), K (3.8 – 5.7 mmol/L), Na (136.6 – 151.5 mmol/L), CL (100.3 – 111.5 mmol/L), Ca (2.25 – 2.90 mmol/L), P (3.7 – 5.7
mg/dl) respectively. The utilization of crop by-products has no deleterious effects on the nutritional and health conditions of the bucks
and is recommended for use by goat producers.