EFFECT OF MACA (Lepidium meyenii) POWDER SUPPLEMENTATION ON SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY OF YANKASA RAMS DURING HOT SEASON

This study assessed the effect maca (Lepium meyenii) powder supplementation on serum biochemistry of yankasa rams raised during hot season. A total of 20 pubertal Yankasa rams were divided into four treatment groups of 0, 5, 10, 15g/ Kg powdered maca per kg diet with five (5) rams each per treatment in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). At the end of experiment blood samples were collected and analyzed for liver function test, electrolytes and lipid. Data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance of statistical analysis system were treatment means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Blood samples were collected in a litheium heparin sample bottles and send to laboratory for serum biochemistry analysis. The result revealed that ALT and AST were significantly (P<0.05) difference. With the exception of potassium all other plasma electrolytes were not significantly (P>0.05) differences. Maca supplement has shown significant effect on plasma cholesterol and HDLP. It could be concluded that maca supplementation from 5–15g/kg diet remarkably enhances liver function tests with a marked hepatoprotective activities. Supplementation of maca across the treatment shown no adverse effect in plasma electrolytes. It is therefore, recommended that maca supplementation up to 15g/kg in diet is safer and farmers and livestock nutritionist can use it in livestock as natural feed additives and blood metabolites enhancers without deleterious effect.