Heamatological and Histopathological Assay of Red Sokoto Bucks Fed Varying Levels of Energy and Protein Feeds

An experiment was conducted to determine the haematological, biochemical and histopathological indices of goats fed energy (molasses) and protein (Groundnut cake) in a mixed ration. The dietary treatments compared were T1 (0% molasses and 40% GNC), T2 (10% molasses and 30% GNC), T3 (20% molasses and 20% GNC), T4 (30% molasses and 10% GNC), and T5 (50% molasses and 0% GNC). The animals were allotted to five (5) dietary treatments in a complete randomized block design with four animals per treatment. The results reveal significantly (p<0.05) higher values for Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF), Non-fibre carbohydrates and Energy content of the diets (394.00 g kg-1 DM, 341.00 g kg-1 DM and 2668.70 kcal/kg).  Packed cell volume (PCV), Haemoglobin (Hb) and Red blood cell count (RBC) were significantly (P<0.05) higher for T4. White blood cell differentials and lymphocytes significantly higher (P>0.05) among treatments. Neutrophils was observed to be highest for T5 compared to other treatment groups. All the parameters studied for serum biochemical indices were significantly (P<0.05) different among treatments except for Sodium (Na2+, K2+, Total Bilirubin, Triglycerol and High Density lipoprotein). Histopathology of the kidney revealed that T1 shows no damage, T2 showed mild necrosis while T3 showed moderate necrosis, atrophy congestion and degeneration of the convoluted tubules. T4 showed severe necrosis, congestion, atrophy degeneration of the convoluted tubules. The result of the micrograph also showed severe congestion, necrosis and degeneration of convoluted tubules. The histopathology of the liver for T1 reveals no expanded portal zones with portal fibrosis with fewer pyknotic nuclei in hepatocytes and lymphocytes infiltration while T2 and T3 were characterized with infiltration by inflammatory cells with multifocal areas of necrosis. The photomicrograph of the liver also reveals severe vescular degeneration of the hepatocytes for T4 and T5. The effect of molasses was also observed on spleen as the level of molasses increase from T1 to T5. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that feeding high energy (40% molasses) and protein (0% GNC) level of inclusion has negative effect on the kidney, liver and spleen.