Effect of Combining Yam Peels with Cowpea Husk on Nitrogen Metabolism and Serum Biochemical Parameters of West African Dwarf Goats fed Guinea Grass

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of combining yam peels with cowpea husk on nitrogen metabolism and serum biochemical parameters of West African dwarf goats fed guinea grass. Twenty four dwarf male goats with means bodyweight of 7.00+0.25kg and aged between 7 and 8 months old were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with eight goats per treatment. The compared diets which comprised different proportions of yam peels and cowpea husk respectively were: Diet I (65.00 and 10.00%), Diet II (60.00 and 15.00%) and Diet III (55.00 and 20.00%). Results obtained showed that Diet I was significantly (P<0.05) highest in serum urea (30.04mg/dl), calcium (2.06mmol/L) and phosphorous 92.43mmol/L) compared to other Diets, while Diet II was best in serum cholesterol (73.86 mg/dl). Nitrogen intake 910.00g/day), urinary nitrogen output (1.09g/day), total nitrogen output (3.38g/day), nitrogen absorbed in g/day and g/day/BW^0.75 (6.62 and 4.13), nitrogen retention and digestibility (66.20 and 77.11%), serum total protein (8.05g/dl), albumin (3.43g/dl), globulin (4.62g/l) and blood glucose (4.01mmol/L) were highest in diet III and significantly (P<0.05) differed from the other diets. Significant difference (P>0.05) did not occur in faecal nitrogen output (g/day) and serum creatinine (mg/dl). It is concluded that combination of yam peels and cowpea husk in diet III enhanced nitrogen metabolism and serum biochemical indices of dwarf goats.

Keywords: Nitrogen, serum biochemistry, yam peels, cowpea husk, goats.