Evaluation of Feed Intake and Hematological Profile of West African Dwarf Does Fed with Piliostigma thonningii Seed Essential Oil-Based Diet

This study evaluated the impact of Piliostigma thonningii (Milne-Rech.) seed essential oil (MREO) supplementation on feed intake, hematological responses, and oxidative stress biomarkers in lactating West African Dwarf does. A total of 21 clinically healthy does with comparable initial body weights were randomly allocated to three dietary treatment groups in a completely randomized design. Animals were fed a common basal diet supplemented with 0 ml/kg (T1; control), 6 ml/kg (T2), or 12 ml/kg (T3) of MREO over a 90-day feeding period. Dry matter, ether extract, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, cellulose, and hemicellulose intakes increased significantly with rising MREO inclusion, reaching the highest levels in T3. Likewise, crude protein, non-structural carbohydrates, and acid detergent fiber intakes were significantly elevated in MREO-supplemented groups compared to the control. Hematological indices, including red blood cells, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, white blood cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, and lymphocytes, followed a dose-dependent improvement (T3>T2>T1). Packed cell volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were significantly higher in the MREO groups, while the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was significantly reduced in T2 and T3 compared to T1. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration was also significantly elevated in T3. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of MREO at 12 ml/kg enhanced feed intake and promoted favorable hematological and immunological profiles, suggesting improved health and metabolic performance in does. These findings support the potential of MREO as a viable, natural alternative to synthetic additives in sustainable small ruminant production systems.