Effect of Aloe vera gel on some haematological parameters and serum electrolytes in high salt loaded Wistar rats

This study investigated the effect of Aloe vera gel on some haematological parameters and serum electrolytes in high salt loaded rats. Twenty (20) male Wistar rats (180-250 g) were randomly assigned into 4 groups (n=5): Control- received 0.2 ml normal saline; Aloe-received 600 mg/kg of Aloe vera gel orally once daily; Salt-fed (SF) received high salt diet (8% NaCl in feed + 1% NaCl in H2O); Saltfed-treated (SF+Aloe) received high salt diet + Aloe vera gel. All groups had access to rat feed and water throughout the duration (six weeks) of treatment. Blood samples were collected from each animal via cardiac puncture for analysis. Red blood cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and packed cell volume (PCV) were significantly (p<0.05) increased in SF and SF+Aloe groups compared with control and Aloe groups. Total white blood cell count was significantly (p<0.001) decreased in SF group compared with control and Aloe groups and increased (p<0.001) in SF+Aloe group compared with SF group. Neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were significantly increased and decreased respectively in SF+Aloe group compared with control (p<0.01), Aloe (p<0.05) and SF (p<0.001) groups. Na+, K+ and Cl- concentrations were significantly increased in SF and SF+Aloe group compared with control and Aloe groups. HCO3- concentration was significantly increased in Aloe and SF+Aloe groups compared with control. High salt diet (HSD) caused alterations in red cell indices and posed threat to the immune system of rats. Aloe vera could not reverse these alterations but exhibited an immune-stimulatory effect. Both Aloe vera and HSD caused electrolyte imbalance. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.131828

Nutritional evaluation of tigernut (Cyperus esculentus) meal as a replacement for maize in broiler diets

A total of three hundred (300) day old unsexed “Fidan' broiler chicks averagely weighing 100.25±0.44g were used to study the response of broiler birds to diets containing different levels of yellow tigernut meal (TNM) as a replacement for maize. The birds were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments of three replicates each containing 60 and 20 birds respectively. After 28 days, the birds were again randomized based on weights to commence the finisher phase in a completely randomized design. The treatment diets consisted of 0%, 25%, 50% 75% and 100% of TNM as replacement for maize as diets 1 (control) 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. The result showed TNM to be low in protein (5.04%), moderate in fibre (13.01%) and high in ether extract (27.46%). Among the antinutritional factors, alkaloids, phytate and tannin were relatively high; 2.63mg/kg, 1.44mg/100g and 1.01mg/100g, respectively. Average weight gain (AWG) and final live weight (FLW) were high for birds fed 25 TNM and significantly (p<0.05) higher than the birds on control at the starter phase. However, at the finisher phase, the values were similar except for birds on 100% TNM that showed significant (p<0.05) depression in AWG and FWG. Feed intake was significantly affected by TNM inclusion levels and tended to improve (p<0.05) significantly as the level of TNM increases in the diets at the starter phase. And at the finisher phase, there was no significant (p>0.05) differences in feed intake across the treatment diets. The feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency showed similar trend both in starter and finisher phases of broiler production, except that at the starter phase, there was poor feed utilization as the level of TNM exceeded 25%, while at the finisher phase, depression only set in at 100% TNM. Feed cost (₦/kg) increased as the level of TNM increased in the diets. Among the nutrient utilization only fibre and ether extract were significantly (p<0.05) affected and this occurred only at 100% TNM. The TNM inclusion had no significant effect on the dressing percentage. Of all the carcass parameters measured only gizzard, caeca and abdominal fat showed significant differences, which all tended to increase (p<0.05) significantly as the level of TNM increases in the diets. It was concluded that at starter phase TNM as replacement for maize should not exceed 25% and at finisher phase, it may not exceed 75% for optimal growth performance

ECONOMICS AND EFFECT OF REPLACING WHEAT OFFAL WITH CASSAVA PEEL MEAL ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY OF GROWING PIGS

This study was carried out to determine the feeding value of Cassava Peel Meal (CPM) as replacement for wheat offal in growing pigs’ diets. Five treatment diets were formulated by replacing wheat offal with CPM at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% for treatments T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively. A total of 75 growing pigs of large white breed were allotted on weight equalization basis into the five dietary treatments with 15 pigs per treatment and 3 pigs per replicate in a completely randomized design. The pigs were allowed to acclimatize for two weeks before the commencement of the study which lasted for 14 weeks. Results indicated that wheat offal contained 16.25% crude protein (CP), 18.86% crude fibre (CF) and 1.18% ether extract. The values were higher than cassava peel meal’s 5.18% CP and 15.18% CF and was lower than 1.99% ether extract. The 25, 50, 75% CPM significantly (p0.05) difference in feed intake. Total feed cost/Kg, feed cost/Kg weight gain and returns on investment significantly (p<0.05) decreased as the levels of cassava peel meal increased in the diets. The bled, scalded, eviscerated and dressed weights decreased as the level of CPM increased in the diets. The heart weight increased with the CPM level, while the liver and the kidney decreased with increase in CPM in the diets. Blood glucose and cholesterol increased with increasing levels of cassava peel meal in the diets while albumin and creatinine decreased as the level of cassava peel meal increased in the diets. The packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cell (RBC) counts decreased (p<0.05) as the level of cassava peel meal increased in the diets. White blood cell (WBC) and lymphocyte values were highest for pigs in T3 (50%) and T4 (75%). The study concluded that cassava peel meal could replace 75% of wheat offal in growing pig diets without deleterious effects on growth performance and economic benefit in terms of total feed cost, cost per kilogram and weight gain

ECONOMICS AND EFFECT OF REPLACING WHEAT OFFAL WITH CASSAVA PEEL MEAL ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY OF GROWING PIGS

This study was carried out to determine the feeding value of Cassava Peel Meal (CPM) as replacement for wheat offal in growing pigs’ diets. Five treatment diets were formulated by replacing wheat offal with CPM at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% for treatments T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively. A total of 75 growing pigs of large white breed were allotted on weight equalization basis into the five dietary treatments with 15 pigs per treatment and 3 pigs per replicate in a completely randomized design. The pigs were allowed to acclimatize for two weeks before the commencement of the study which lasted for 14 weeks. Results indicated that wheat offal contained 16.25% crude protein (CP), 18.86% crude fibre (CF) and 1.18% ether extract. The values were higher than cassava peel meal’s 5.18% CP and 15.18% CF and was lower than 1.99% ether extract. The 25, 50, 75% CPM significantly (p0.05) difference in feed intake. Total feed cost/Kg, feed cost/Kg weight gain and returns on investment significantly (p<0.05) decreased as the levels of cassava peel meal increased in the diets. The bled, scalded, eviscerated and dressed weights decreased as the level of CPM increased in the diets. The heart weight increased with the CPM level, while the liver and the kidney decreased with increase in CPM in the diets. Blood glucose and cholesterol increased with increasing levels of cassava peel meal in the diets while albumin and creatinine decreased as the level of cassava peel meal increased in the diets. The packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cell (RBC) counts decreased (p<0.05) as the level of cassava peel meal increased in the diets. White blood cell (WBC) and lymphocyte values were highest for pigs in T3 (50%) and T4 (75%). The study concluded that cassava peel meal could replace 75% of wheat offal in growing pig diets without deleterious effects on growth performance and economic benefit in terms of total feed cost, cost per kilogram and weight gain