Effect of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Pasture Grazing on Growth, Gastrointestinal Parasite Infection and Immune Response Biomarkers of Goat

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of grazing cowpea pastures on growth, parasite egg count and biomarkers of immune response in goats. Spanish and Savannah goats (n = 48) stratified by initial body weight (42.0±7.0 kg) and fecal egg count (FEC), were randomly assigned to three pasture forages (Cowpea varieties: Mississippi silver (MS), or Iron and Clay (IC) or Pearl millet (PM) as control with 4 replicates, for a 28-day feeding trial. Forage samples collected at the start of the study were analyzed for nutrients, chemical and polyphenols content. Body weight, body condition score, and fecal egg count were measured weekly. Blood was collected from goats on days 0 and 28 for PCV and white blood cell differential counts. The concentration of total proteins, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were evaluated in blood serum. Concentration of DNA isolated from fecal samples was used as a measure of gut health. Goats grazed on cowpea forage (MS and IC) had higher body weight (p = 0.01) compared to goats grazed on PM. Percent lymphocyte (p = 0.008) and neutrophil (p = 0.013) increased in MS fed goats. Goats grazed on MS pasture had decreased FEC (p = 0.03) also. Cowpea pasture grazing had no effect on serum protein concentration, PCV and BCS (p > 0.05), but decreased PGE2 concentration in serum. The concentration of TAC in serum, increased at day 28 (p < 0.05). The concentration of fecal microbial DNA decreased in all the treatment groups at day 28. Cowpea forage grazing had an impact on body weight, FEC, and blood serum parameters (PGE2, TAC) in goats. These results demonstrate that freshly grazed cowpea forage has potential impact and benefits on growth and health of goats. Integrating cowpea diet in goat feeding system may enhance growth performance, stimulate and prime the immune system for defense against gastrointestinal parasites.

Supplement Type Impact on the Performance and Nutrient Dynamics of Nursing Does and Kids Raised in Woodlands

“…The better FAMACHA score of does having access to supplemental grazing in silvopastures when stocked in woodlands in the current study agrees with Tiwari et al (2021) [ 26 ], who found a better FAMACHA score in Kiko does grazing legume-grass vs. sole-grass pastures. Worku et al (2017) [ 27 ] also reported a better FAMACHA score in goats when grazing cowpea pastures vs. pearl millet ( Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke) pastures.…”

Alternative to Antibiotics Used in Sheep Production

“…Plant components and extracts are often relatively cheap, widely available, natural, and nontoxic. Phytobiotics have various effects, including antibacterial, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory properties, gut microbiota alteration, intestinal barrier and nutrient absorption, and immunological modulation, which are advantageous to improving animal growth performance, health, and meat quality [54][55][56][57][58][59]. Peptides that have antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa are among the antimicrobial substances found in plants [60].…”

A Review of the Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) from Cow, Sheep and Goat Models

“…Animal feed rich in phenolic constituents has immuno-regulatory effects in ruminants [ 139 , 140 ]. Forages rich in polyphenol such as Sericea lespedeza and cowpea also changed gene expression in goat blood [ 128 , 130 , 132 , 141 ]. Asiamah et al, [ 92 ] showed extracts from Sericea lespedeza modulated the expression of innate and adaptive immune and WNT signaling pathway genes including TLR2, TLR4, WNT5A and FZD.…”