A frican J ournal of L ivestock E xtension v>UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY 1 HAEMATOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF PREGNANT EWES FED BROILER - LITTER BASED DIETS HAEMATOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF PREGNANT EWES FED BROILER - LITTER BASED DIETS T.O. Ososanya Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan. Nigeria E-mail: t.ososanya@mail.ui.edu.ng ABSTRACT_________________________________________________________________________ Blood is a transport medium for the body which plays an active role in sustainability and survival of the organism. Haematological indices reflect the effect of dietary treatments on the animal especially the type and amount of feed ingested and available for the animal to meet its body requirements. A study was carried out for 10 weeks to assess changes in some haematological indices with advancing pregnancy in ewes fed Broiler Litter (BL) based rations. Blood samples were collected at each trimester of pregnancy and analyzed for Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Red Blood Cell (RBC), White Blood Cell (WBC) counts and Haemoglobin (Hb) concentration. Other parameters estimated were: Mean Corpuscular Value (MCV) and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC). Results showed that in the first trimester, PCV and Hb. values were significantly higher (P<0.05) in animals fed at 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% BL inclusion levels. In the second trimester, RBC values decreased with increasing levels of BL in the diet while other parameters studied were not significantly different. The findings of this study showed that livestock farmers in the tropics can include broiler litter as feed supplement up to 25% without any adverse effect on the blood chemistry. Keywords: Pregnant ewes, Broiler litter, Blood, Haemoglobin and Pregnancy. INTRODUCTION Okunaiya, 1971). Aletor and Egberongbe (1992) Blood is a transport medium for the body and reported that blood variables consistently plays an active role in the sustainability and affected by dietary influences include packed cell survival of the organism. It is an important index volume, haemoglobin concentration, erythrocyte of physiological and pathological changes in any counts and plasma protein glucose. organism (Mitruka and Rawnsley, 1977). Also, in hematological assessment, the The purpose of investigating blood parameters of interest are Red Blood Cedll composition is to distinguish normal state from (RBC) count, White Blood Cell (WBC) count, states of stress. Stress factors can be nutritional, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Hemoglobin (Hb) environmental or physical (Tewe et al., 1981). values, Mean Corpuscular Value (MCV), Mean Ilemobade (1982) stated that it is often difficult to Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC). assess the correct health status of an animal This study was carried out to observe the without recourse to an examination of its blood. changes in some haematological indices with The heamatological indices are reflections of the advancing pregnancy in ewes when fed broiler effects of dietary treatments on the animal in litter based rations. terms of the type and amount of feed ingested and were available for the animal to meet its MATERIALS AND METHODS physiological, biochemical and metabolic Management of Animals: In a 10 week study, necessities. The blood contains a myriad of sixteen primiparous WAD ewes (aged 2-3 years metabolites and other constituents which provide and weighing 23-28kg) were distributed into four a valuable medium for clinical investigation and treatments in a randomized complete block nutritional status of human beings and animals, design. The flock was routinely dewormed using therefore, blood constituents are widely used in Ivomectin and dipped against ticks and fleas nutritional evaluation and survey of animals using Gamatox. Also, at the beginning of rainy (Olorode et al., 1995). Essentially, blood consists season, the animals were treated with antibiotics of plasma, a fluid medium in which is suspended and vaccinated against Pestes des petit the red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood ruminants’ disease. They had access to mineral cells (leukocytes) and the platelets licks and fresh water on the free choice basis. (thrombocytes). The blood cell forming organs They were randomly distributed into four groups include the bone marrow, liver, spleen, lymph of four animals assigned to each of the four nodes and reticuloendothelial tissues experimental rations comprising 0, 25, 50 and (Esugbohungbe, 1991). 75% levels of broiler litter inclusion as The usefulness of normal haematological replacements for Palm Kernel Cake in their diets values in assessing the health status of (Table 1). ruminants has been established (Oduye and 22 UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY African Journal of Livestock Extension Vol. 8, July 2010 Blood Collection: Changes in haematological indices due to Blood was collected once in a trimester from advancing pregnancy: each animal by jugular vein puncture into bijou PCV values in the first trimester were: bottles containing ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic 31.4%, 31.6%, 28.8% and 27.9% for animals on acid (EDTA) at 1.5mg/ml of blood as 0, 25, 50 and 75% BL inclusion respectively. The anticoagulant. The first sample was collected values obtained fell within the normal range of three days prior to mating while subsequent 29.0 - 38.5% for mixed sex, breed and age collections were done at the same time (Mitruka and Rawnsley, 1977). However, animals corresponding to the three trimesters of on 50% BL inclusion recorded lower values in the pregnancy till parturition. Total Red Blood Cell first and second trimesters. Despite the low PCV (RBC) and White Blood Cell (WBC) counts were in the second trimester, the animals survived and determined. The Packed Cell Volume (PCV) reported a high PCV in the third trimester. was determined by microhaematocrit method. Similarly, WBC for all the animals on all Haemoglobin (Hb) values were estimated by the experiments remained within the normal range of alkali haematin method according to Schalm 4.0 - 12.0 103/mm3 described by Mitruka and (1965). Values of RBC were determined by the Rawnsley (1977) from the beginning to the end microscopic method in a counting chamber after of the period of experimentation. A slight peak dilution with Hayens solution. Estimation of WBC was observed for animals on 25% BL inclusion was done in the improved Neubauer for second trimester coinciding with the peak in haemocytometer chamber using 2% acetic acid DM intake. as diluent. MCV and MCHC were calculated Ironically, very high WBC values were from values of PCV, Hb. and RBC as described observed in all the animals during the second by Mitruka and Rawnsley (1977). trimester of pregnancy. RBC values were below the normal values Chemical Composition and Statistical (8.0 - 14.0 106/mm3) documented for sheep by Analysis: Mitruka and Rawnsley (1977) but agreed with Dry matter, crude protein, fat, ash, acid values obtained by Esugbohungbe (1991) who detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre of the also worked on WAD sheep at Ibadan, Nigeria. broiler litter based diets were determined as Low erythrocyte values reported may be due to described by AOAC (1990). the presence of a low but constant parasitic All data were subjected to analysis of burden (Nfi, 1991). variance using the procedure of SAS (1999). Statistical significance between means was Table 1: Gross composition of the broiler determined according to Duncan option of the litter based diets fed pregnant ewes same package. Diets Ingredients A B C D RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Broiler litter 0 25 50 75 Changes in haematological indices due to Palm kernel cake 52 27 02 - treatment effect: Wheat bran '30 30 30 15 Haematological values for WAD ewes fed Corn bran 15 15 15 07 broiler litter based rations during pregnancy are Salt 2 2 2 2 presented in Tables 3 - 8 . Variations observed Palm oil 1 1 1 1 in haematological indices due to treatments were Calculated CP 16.1 17.5 15.8 20.9 significant (P < 0.05) for PCV, RBC, Hb and MCV in the first trimester of pregnancy while in Table 2: Chemical Composition (g/1 OOg DM) the second trimester of pregnancy, indices like of Broiler Litter RBC, WBC and Hb. were significantly affected (P Treatment (Age in Days) < 0.05). However, in the third trimester of Nutrient 35in 42™ pregnancy, no significant difference was Dry matter (%) observed among all parameters studied except 81.1+2.2 86.0+2.0 84.1+1.9Crude Protein(%) RBC which was significantly different (P < 0.05). 22.5+1.3 25.4+0.9 23.5+0.2Fat (%) Variations observed due to treatment did not 2.5+0.03 2.5+0.1b 2.5+0.13Ash (%) follow any definite observable trend. This could 21.5+0.4318.6+0.23 21.5+0.83ADF (%) 21.4+0.4 be due to the fact that under a wide range of 20.3+0.2 20.8+0.4NDF (%) feeding regimes, an animal maintains its blood 40.5+0.5 38.2+0.1 39.3+0.5 picture within ranges normal for that breed in that a,b: Means within the same row with different environment. Once the feed is adequate, superscripts are significantly different. variations observed could indirectly be due to reactions to external changes rather than direct response to feeding regime. UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY 4 ^ CD 3 HAEMATOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF PREGNANT EWES FED BROILER - LITTER BASED DIETS Table 3: Packed Cell Volume (PCV) of WAD Table 6: Haemoglobin (Hb) values of WAD ewes fed broiler litter based ration ewes fed broiler litter based ration T re a tm e n ts Treatments Trim este r A B C D Trimester A B C D 1s' 3 1 .4 + 1 .1a 3 1 ,6 + 0 .5a 2 8 .8 + 0 .5 ab 27 .9+1 .3° ŝi— 2nd 10.5+0.3a 10.6+0.23 9.6+0.40 9.3+0.5031 .0+1 .2 30 .3+ 0 .8 2 8 .8+ 1 .4 30 .3+1 .4 2nd 10.3+0.1a 10.1+0.43 8.9+0.5b 10.1 +0.6a 3ld 32.8+1.1 30 .0+ 0 .7 32 .3+ 1 .2 30 .6+1 .4 3rd 10.9+0.4 10.0+0.8 10.8+0.7 10.2 + 0.8 a,b,c: Means in the same row with different a,b,c: Means in the same row with different superscripts are significantly different (p < 0.05). superscripts are significantly different (p < 0.05). Table 4: White Blood Cell (WBC) count of WAD fed broiler litter based ration Table 7: Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) of T re a tm e n ts WAD ewes fed broiler litter based ration T r im es te r A B C D T re a tm e n ts 8 .9 + 1 ,2a 7 .5 + 0 .5 3 8 .2 + 0 .5a 6 .8 + 0 .6 3 2nd T r im es te r A B C D8 .8 + 0 .5 3 10 .3 + 0 .9 c 8 .3 + 0 .9 b 7 .3 + 0 .4 3 ;pn— 5 7 .3 + 1 ,2a 4 7 .0 + 3 .8 3 5 1 .4 + 2 .1aD 57 .3 + 0 .8 3 3rd 7.4+1.1 6 .9 + 1 .3 8.6+1.1 7 .1+0 .5 2 nd 52 .9+ 3 .3 4 6 .9 + 3 .0 50 .0+ 2 .4 61 .4+3 .4 a,b,c: Means in the same row with different 3rd 49 .6 + 2 .2 4 9 .6 + 2 .2 48 .8 + 1 .0 44 .8+2 .5 superscripts are significantly different (p < 0.05). a,b,c: Means in the same row with different superscripts are significantly different (p < 0.05). Table 5: Red Blood Cell (RBC) count of WAD ewes fed broiler litter based ration. Table 8: Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Treatments Concentration (MCHC) of WAD ewes fed Trimester broiler litter based ration 151 5.5+0.2a 6.8+0.93 9.7+0.43 4.9+0.2b Treatments 2 nd 6.1 +0.6C 6.6+0.5c 5.5+0.5b 4.9+0.23 Trimester A B C DTsr— 3rd 6.7+0.3a 6.2+0.43 5.9+0.53 6.9+0.3b 22.8+0.3 25.5+0.9 27.4+1.2 27.4+0.9 a,b,c: Means in the same row with different 2nd 35.5+2.1 33.8+1.4 39.1+1.6 38.0+1.9 superscripts are significantly different (p < 0.05). 3rd 34.1+2.0 31.4+1.5 30.1 + 1.8 33.9+1.2 a,b,c: Means in the same row with different MCV values observed for all treatments fell superscripts are significantly different (p < 0.05). outside the normal range (28.4 - 31.6) for all the ewes. This probably shows that the erythrocytes The animals used in this study were of the WAD ewes used in this study were trypanotolerant WAD sheep. This category of observed to be macrocytic or larger than normal. animal has a certain degree of innate genetic MCHC values were initially below the normal resistance to trypanosomiasis (ILCA, 1976). This range (30.0 - 38.0%) for ewes in the first phenomenon confers on the animal the ability to trimester; however, with advancing pregnancy, contain to a great extent the effect of the MCHC values became very high in the trypanosomiasis infection and continue growing second trimester and dropped a little in the third and reproducing without therapy but this trimester. This is to be expected since most challenge will show in the blood picture. macrocytic anemia’s are transitory being commonly observed in the recovery stages in CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS: recuperating animals (Coles, 1974). By the end The positive response of the pregnant ewes of the third trimester, MCHC values had returned to varying levels of broiler litter in the rations, to normal. shown by the normal blood parameters suggests For Hb.values, Mitruka and Rawnsley (1977) its positive acceptance and utilization. It then reported 8.5 - 13.2g/dl therefore in this study, implies that livestock farmers in the tropics may Hb. values stabilized within the normal range in include broiler litter as feed supplement up to this study. This observation on haematological 25% without any adverse effect on their indices shows that parasitic diseases play an haematology. important role in livestock productivity in the humid tropic (Wilson, 1964) into which zone REFERENCES Southern Nigeria falls. Ecological conditions Aletor, V.A. and O. Egberongbe (1992). here also support several vectors and parasites Feeding differently processed soybean. Part 2. of economic significance. 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