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Dietary effects of Gmelina arborea × Panicum maximum forages on digestibility and haematological characteristics of rams

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Abstract

Rams’ productivity is integrally hinged on their nutrition/nutrients intake, and performance by these animals is predominantly dependent on dry matter intake. Hence, the experiment aims to evaluate the dietary effects of wilted and silages of Gmelina arborea and Panicum maximum forages at different proportions on nutrient digestibility, performance, blood components and ruminal fermentation characteristics of rams. P. maximum was substituted with G. arborea leaves at 100:0, 70:30 and 60:40, respectively and were allowed to wilt overnight, while equal proportions were ensiled for 2 days, designated as 100P(W), 70P:30G(W), 60P:40G(W), 100P(E), 70P:30G(E) and 60P:40G(E). Thereafter, the diets were fed to thirty West African Dwarf rams (5 rams, randomly allocated into each dietary treatment) for 56 days. Parameters measured included nutrients intake, nitrogen utilization, apparent digestibility, weight change, blood components, volatile fatty acids, rumen pH and temperature. From the results, G. arborea leaves and fermentation as a result of the silage significantly (p<0.05) improved nutrient composition, and invariably, all the parameters assessed. Highest CP (14.02%), DMI (765.06 g/day) and nitrogen retention (84.64%) was recorded for rams fed diet 60P:40G(E). The least acetic (23.69 mmol/100ml) and highest propionic (24.97 mmol/100ml) acid production was also recorded for rams fed 60P:40G (E) which suggests richness of the diet and enacted the activities of rumen microbes for efficient feed utilization. Further, their normal PCV (45%), WBC (13.70×109/L), RBC (14.02×109/L), haemoglobin (13.40 g/dL), MCV (32.10 fl/cell) and MCH (9.56 pg/cell) values indicated the diet is not detrimental to their health. Conclusively, P. maximum could suitably be combined with G. arborea leaves at 60:40 when ensiled, for improved ram production, and it’s thus recommended.

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Data availability

The datasets used and/or analysed during this current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledged the authorities of Animal Production and Health, Teaching and Research Farm, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, for the use of farm facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Net Zero and Resilient Farming, Rothamsted Research, North Wyke, Okehampton, UK

    Oluwatosin Bode Omotoso

  2. Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

    Oluwatosin Bode Omotoso, Adebowale Noah Fajemısın & Julius Adebayo Alokan

  3. Department of Animal Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norwegian, Norway

    Olumide V. Onabanjo

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  1. Oluwatosin Bode Omotoso
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  3. Adebowale Noah Fajemısın
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  4. Julius Adebayo Alokan
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Contributions

O. B. O., A. N. F. and J. A. A. conceived the study. All authors participated in the fieldwork. O. B. O., O. V. O. and A. N. F. handled the data recording and curation. O. B. O., O. V. O., and A. N. F. performed the statistical analyses and figure representation. O. B. O. prepares the manuscript, while A. N. F. and J. A. A. proofread and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Oluwatosin Bode Omotoso.

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The study was undertaken with approval from the institutional ethics committee for the care and use of animals for research at the host institution.

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Omotoso, O.B., Onabanjo, O.V., Fajemısın, A.N. et al. Dietary effects of Gmelina arborea × Panicum maximum forages on digestibility and haematological characteristics of rams. Trop Anim Health Prod 55, 141 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-023-03558-8

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