HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AND SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY INDICES OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOAT FED CASSAVA PEEL

This study evaluated the impact of graded dietary inclusion of cassava (Manihotesculenta Crantz) peel meal on hematological indices and serum biochemical parameters of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Given the rising demand for cost-effective, locally available feed resources in small ruminant production, cassava peel an abundant agro-industrial by-product offers potential as an alternative energy source. However, its utilization is constrained by the presence of cyanogenic glycosides, necessitating rigorous physiological evaluation. Twelve clinically healthy WAD goats with comparable initial body weights were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments. Sun-dried cassava peel meal as partial substitutes for grass. The animals were managed under uniform conditions in a completely randomized design over a 10-week feeding trial. At the end of the experimental period, blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture for determination of hematological parameters (hemoglobin) concentration, packed cell volume, red and white blood cell counts, and leukocyte differentials) and serum biochemical indices (total protein, albumin, globulin, urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase [ALT], and aspartate aminotransferase [AST]). Results demonstrated that dietary cassava peel inclusion did not significantly (p > 0.05) alter the hematological or serum biochemical profiles relative to the control group. However, it is concluded that sun-dried cassava peel meal can be incorporated in the diets of WAD goats without deleterious effects on their hematological and metabolic status, thereby offering a viable strategy for enhancing feed resource utilization in low-input small ruminant systems.