Abstract
A total of 18, 6-week old crossbred (Large White x Duroc) weaner boars, averaging 9.47kg were used to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of Tetrapleura tetraptera pod pulp meal (TPM) on their haematological and serum chemistry profiles for a period of 16 weeks. The boars were randomly assigned to three treatment groups of 6 animals each; treatment one (control) had 0.00% TPM, while TPM was included in the basal diet at 2.50% and 5.00% to constitute treatments two and three, respectively. Each treatment was replicated thrice, with 2 animals in a replicate in a completely randomized design. Data were collected on haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume; counts of erythrocytes, leucocytes, and platelets, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin, mean cell haemoglobin concentration, serum glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, urea, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides and total cholesterol. Results indicated significant (P<0.05) increase in erythrocyte counts, serum glucose and low-density lipoprotein at 5.00% TPM. Packed cell volume, haemoglobin, leucocytes, total protein and albumin increased progressively (P<0.05) with increase in TPM. Globulin, Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, very low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides were reduced significantly (P<0.05) at increasing levels of TPM. High-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol were increased significantly at 2.50% TPM compared to the other treatments. Urea level was lowest (P<0.05) at 5.00% TPM. It was concluded that TPM enhanced the haematology and serum protein; and moderated the liver and kidney metabolites, indicating a positive influence on hepatic and renal efficiencies.