Growth Performance and Blood Profile of Pre-pubertal Boars Fed Aidan (<i>Tetrapleura tetraptera</i>) Pod Meal

Growth performance, hematology and serum chemistry values were studied in 18 weaned boars of Large White X Duroc cross fed Aidan pod meal (APM). The boars weighing 9.47kg on average, were divided into three equal groups. The treatments were 0.0%, 2.5% and 5.0% APM per kg of feed, respectively. The experiment was completely randomized. Daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly higher (P<0.05) in boars fed 5.0% APM than in those fed control diet. There were significantly (P<.0.5) lower red blood cell counts and packed cell volumes in boars fed 0.0% APM than those fed APM. Hemoglobin had the least (P<0.05) concentration in boars fed without APM. White blood cell counts were lowered (P<0.05) in boars treated with 2.5% APM but increased at 5.0% APM. Platelets were highest at 5.0% APM. MCV and MCH were lower (P<0.05) in the APMtreated groups than those fed control diet. MCHC was lower (P<0.05) in boars fed 2.5% APM. There was a significant reduction in serum glucose with the addition of 5.0% APM. Addition of APM caused progressive (P<0.05) increase in serum protein. Aspartate aminotransferase (51.69, 45.33, 30.68) u/l and alanine aminotransferase (31.62, 29.33, 22.17) u/l were both significantly reduced progressively with an increase in APM. Changes in urea were irregular, increasing significantly at 2.5% and decreasing at 5.0% APM. Creatinine was progressively (P<0.05) reduced with addition of APM. Triacylglycerol and total cholesterol were reduced (P<0.05) with increase in the test ingredient. It is concluded that addition of APM improved formation of red blood cells, hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, white blood cells and serum protein while triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, AST, ALT and creatinine were reduced.