Hematological and biochemical indices, growth performance, and puberty of goats fed with Mombasa and blue panic as salt-tolerant alternatives to alfalfa under arid conditions

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of Mombasa or blue panic as a salt-tolerant alternative to alfalfa on growth performance, puberty, blood hematology, serum metabolites, and serum mineral profile in growing goats. Twenty-four growing goats of 4 months old age with 14.45 ± 0.6 kg average body weight were assigned to three treatment diets with 8 animals per treatment. Weights of each animal were measured at the onset of the trial and subsequently on a weekly basis until the end of the trial duration. A pair of blood samples were collected from each goat via a jugular vein puncture and were subjected to either hematological or biochemical analysis. The results showed that treatment diets had no significant effects (P > 0.05) on the final body weight and total body weight gain. However, blue panic had significantly increased (P < 0.05) neutral detergent fiber and crude protein digestibility. The diet-influenced MCV was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the Alfalfa group. The serum concentration of glucose was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the blue panic-fed group, while the urea was increased in the Mombasa-fed group. Additionally, the serum concentrations of P, Na, and Cl were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the blue panic-fed group, but Mombasa significantly increased (P < 0.05) the K concentration. In conclusion, the study indicated that blue panic ranked the best among salt-tolerant alternatives to replace alfalfa, resulting in better feed utilization, serum metabolites, and serum minerals with no adverse effects on growth performance and puberty. This study provides new insight into the shift to the cultivation of salt-tolerant plants with a high level of crude protein in arid areas as a potential approach for the sustainability of the livestock industry.

Nutritional response to water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) challenges via blood biochemical profiles in goats and sheep

“…However, Malecky et al (2016) revealed a wider reference range for the glucose levels in the blood of Mehraba sheep (66.9–116.5 mg/dl). Whereas [ 22 ] obtained lower blood glucose levels in goats (33.15–47.26 mg/dl), nevertheless [ 23 ] reported greater blood glucose concentrations in wild goats (126.1 mg/dl) than the findings obtained in this study. Meanwhile, glucose levels are lower than the typical range; this threshold implies hypoglycemia, though elevated levels signal hyperglycemia [ 24 ].…”

Hematological parameters of sheep and goats fed diets containing various amounts of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

“…Moreover, WBC, RBC, MCH, MCHC, Hb, and PCV ( 58 ) values were not influenced by goats supplemented with Lablab purpureus and Vigna unguiculata . Furthermore, PCV, Hb, RBC, MCH, MCHC, and WBC ( 59 ) values were not affected by goat fed Mombasa or blue panic as a salt-tolerant alternative to replacing Alfalfa. PCV, Hb, RBC, MCV, MCH, and MCHC ( 60 ) values were not affected by West African Dwarf goats fed varying levels of treated sweet orange peels.…”