HAEMATOLOGY AND SERUM CHEMISTRY OF GROWING PIGS FED CASSAVA PEEL- MEAL BASED DIET SUPPLEMENTED WITH GARLIC POWDER

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the haematology and serum chemistry of growing pigs fed diets supplemented with garlic powder. Twenty four (24) growing pigs of average weight of 17.41kg were randomly allotted to three treatments comprising of 0.0, 2.5 and 5.0g/kg dietary inclusion of garlic powder. Each treatment was replicated four times and contained 2 pigs per replicate. Blood sample (Sml) was collected from one pig in each replicate per treatment via the jugular vein puncture using sterilized needle and syringe. Equal half of each sample was emptied into 2 different sets of bottles. One containing Ethylene Diamine Tetracetic Acid (EDTA) anticoagulant to determine haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV) and white blood cells (WBC) contenis while the other without anticoagulant for serum biochemical parameters (serum protein, globulin, albumin, creatinine and urea). Data obtained were analysed using ANOVA. Result revealed that inclusion of garlic powder had no influence (P>0.05) on Hb, RBC, PCV and WBC contents of growing pigs. Result also indicated that inclusion of garlic powder had no significant (P>0.05) influence on total protein, albumin, globulin, creatinine and urea of growing pigs. The study concluded that garlic could be included in the diets of growing pigs without any detrimental effect on general wellbeing of pigs.