INFLUENCE OF DIETARY PROTEIN LEVELS ON THE BLOOD PROFILE OF YANKASA RAMS RAISED IN THE SEMI-ARID ZONE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

This study evaluated the influence of dietary protein levels on the blood profile of Yankasa rams. Twelve rams (average weight 16 kg; approximately 12 months old) were assigned to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design, with three animals per treatment. The control diet contained 14.26 % Crude Protein (CP), while the other diets contained 14.94, 15.45, and 16.15 % CP presented as 20 %, 40 %, and 60 % increment of CP of the control diet. The basal diet comprised fresh grass and soybean hay, and the trial lasted 90 days. Blood samples collected at the end of the experiment were analyzed for haematological and serum biochemical parameters. Data were subjected to analysis of variance, and means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Results indicated that the 60 % CP (16.15%) diet had the highest crude protein content as expected. No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed in the haematological parameters, whereas significant differences (P˂0.05) were observed in some selected serum biochemical parameters among treatments. The majority of the parameters were within normal recommended physiological ranges. It was concluded that increasing dietary protein improved the physiological and metabolic status of Yankasa rams, with 16.15% CP supplementation producing favourable responses without adverse effects on the haematological and serum biochemical parameters studied. Further studies are recommended to establish optimal protein requirements under semi-arid conditions.