Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 9 (2): 167-170, 2010 ISSN 1680-5194 © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2010 Corresponding Author: I.C. Alemede, Department of Animal Production, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 65, Minna, Nigeria 167 Haematological Parameters of Savanna Brown Does Fed Varying Dietary Levels of Flamboyant Tree Seed Meal I.C. Alemede, J.Y. Adama, S.A. Ogunbajo and J. Abdullahi Department of Animal Production, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 65, Minna, Nigeria Abstract: Fifteen (15) nuliparous Savanna Brown does aged 6-8 months with a mean live weight of 9.55 kg were randomly allotted into five dietary treatments comprising of three animals per treatment. Five different diets with varying levels of flamboyant tree seed meal were fed as supplement at the rate of 0.50 kg/head/day. T which had no flamboyant tree seed served as control while diet T , T , T and T which served 1 2 3 4 5 as the treatment diet had 25, 50, 75 and 100% flamboyant tree seed meal, respectively. The animals were managed semi-intensively. 5 mls of blood samples were collected via jugular vein puncture into well labeled EDTA bottles and were immediately placed in an ice-chest containing ice cubes and analyzed within 2 h of collection for blood glucose, protein and plasma urea. The average total blood glucose and protein were significantly (p<0.05) different with diets T and T recording higher values while plasma urea level did not 1 2 differ significantly (p<0.05) among the treatment groups. All the values obtained were within the recommended normal range. It is therefore concluded that up to 100% level of inclusion of flamboyant tree seed meal in the diets of Savanna Brown does was not deleterious on the blood parameters. Key words: Haematology, savanna brown does, flamboyant tree seed meal INTRODUCTION Goats constitute a very important component of the livestock sub-sector of the Nigerian agricultural economy. The potential of goat production in alleviating the low level of consumption of animal protein by human The study was conducted at the Ruminant Animal in developing nations, Nigeria inclusion needs no Production Unit of the Teaching and Research Farm, emphasis (Animashaun et al., 2006). The high cost of Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State. formulating concentrate and pelletized feed has been a The study area lies within the Southern Guinea Savanna major constraint militating against the increased ecological zone of Nigeria. It has a mean annual rainfall production of valuable sources of animal protein of 1102.6-1361.7 mm and an annual temperature range (Animashaun et al., 2006). Hence, the urgent need to of between 26.66 C and 27.77 C. incorporate non-conventional feedstuffs into goat diet. Fifteen (15) nulliparous Savanna Brown does aged 6-8 One of such feedstuffs is the flamboyant tree (Delonix months with average body weight of 9.55 kg were used regia) seed which is widely grown as an ornamental for the study which lasted 12 weeks. The animals were plant. allowed a pre-treatment periods of two weeks prior to Animashaun et al. (2006), observed that nutritional study in order to enable them acclimatize. They were studies should not be limited to performance, carcass given prophylactic treatment against helminthes and quality and nitrogen alone, but the effect on blood other parasites and were randomly allotted into five constituent is also very relevant. Laboratory tests on the treatment groups with three animals per treatment. blood are very vital tools that help to detect any deviation Flamboyant tree seed were collected during the dry from normal in the animal or human body. Haematology season, dried properly and roasted using open flame for aid the clinician to arrive at a definitive diagnosis of a 15 min in an open pot with little sand to prevent friction disease, enables him/her to make a prognosis and also and burning. The roasted seed was sieved, ground and to assess the efficiency of therapy and toxicity of drugs incorporated at different levels into the experimental and chemical substances (Ihedioha and Ibeachu, 2005). diets. Currently in veterinary practices, a diagnosis is The five treatment diets were designated T , T , T , T considered incomplete or not definitive if information and T . The feeds were formulated to be isonitrogenous obtained from history and chemical examination is not and isocaloric. T served as the control with 0% combined with laboratory test results including the result inclusion of flamboyant tree seed and 100% groundnut of haematology (Ihedioha and Ibeachu, 2005). cake while T , T , T and T had the groundnut cake Consequently, this study aims to determine the effect of component substituted for flamboyant tree seed meal at replacing groundnut cake with varying levels of 25, 50, 75 and 100%, respectively (Table 1). The flamboyant tree seed meal on some blood parameters of Savanna Brown does. MATERIALS AND METHODS o o 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5