Nutritional and Phytogenic Properties of Soursop (Annona muricata) Leaf Meal on the Productive and Physiological Performances of West African Dwarf Goats

Peter-Damian Chukwunomso Jiwuba, Lilian Nonye Azodo and Chinenye Uzoma

Abstract: The study aimed to examine the effect of soursop (Annona muricata) leaf meal (AMLM) diets on productive and physiological characteristics of West African dwarf (WAD) goats. Thirty six bucks were randomly divided into four experimental groups of nine animals each. Each group was assigned to one of the experimental diets formulated to contain AMLM at 0% (control), 15%, 30% and 45% for 82 days in a completely randomized design (CRD). The proximate composition of the experimental diets ranges from 87.32–89.19% dry matter (DM), 14.72–15.59% crude protein (CP), 27.18–29.30% crude fibre (CF), 9.48–13.62% ash, 2.00–2.31% ether extract (EE), 26.81–32.80% nitrogen free extract (NFE) and 3.56–3.73 MJ/kg gross energy (GE). The chemical analysis of the AMLM revealed 90.91% DM, 20.39% CP, 16.20% CF, 10.62% ash, 4.31% EE, 39.39% NFE and 3.93 MJ/kg GE. The results on intake and body weight changes showed significant (P < 0.05) improvement with the inclusion of AMLM in the diets for final body weight, daily weight gain, daily feed intake, forage dry matter intake, supplement dry matter intake, total dry matter intake and feed conversion ratio. AMLM at 45% inclusion produced the best (P < 0.05) packed cell volume and lymphocyte concentration in comparison to other treatments. AMLM at 15, 30 and 45% resulted to improved red blood cells, mean cell haemoglobin concentration, and white blood cells concentration when compared with the control. Sodium and chloride were however best (P < 0.05) at 15, 30 and 45% supplementations. The results indicated that AMLM enhanced body weight gain, dry matter intake, haemopoiesis and health status of the WAD goats and therefore should be incorporated into goat feeding programme to enhance better productivity.

Keywords: blood profile; body weight changes; dry matter intake; phytobiotics; small ruminant

Date published: 2020-06-05