Assessing the blood profile of grower pigs as affected by dietary supplementation of dried Guinea hen weed (Petiveria alliacea) leaf meal

To investigate the serum and haematological parameters of growing pig fed diets supplemented with Guinea hen weed leaf meal (GHWLM), thirty-six unsexed (Large white x Land race) grower pigs were allotted to four dietary treatments with nine pigs per treatment having three replicates of three pigs in a completely randomized design. Four experimental diets were formulated, where GHWLM was incorporated at 0% (Control, no GHWLM, C), 0.5% (T1), 0.75% (T2) and 1.0% (T3). Feed and water were offered ad-libitum throughout the experimental period. On the 70th day, blood was collected from a pig per replicate into plain and EDTA bottles for serum and haematological assay. Data collected were subjected to one-way analysis of variance and significant means were separated using Duncan multiple range test. The results showed that groups of pigs fed T1 diet had the highest average final weight (AFW), average total weight gain (ATWG) and average daily weight gain (ADWG) (P<0.05). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was better for pigs fed T1 diet compared to other treatments (P<0.05). The pigs fed T2 and T3 diets had the highest serum total protein and globulin (P<0.05). Least creatinine was recorded for pigs fed T3 diet (P<0.05). Least value of alanine transaminase (ALT) was recorded in pigs fed T2 diet (P<0.05). The highest value of haemoglobin 14.85g/dl and red blood cell (RBC) 7.80 x1012/L were obtained for pigs fed T3 diet (P<0.05). The mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) was increased in pigs fed T2 diet (P<0.05). It was concluded that 1.0% of GHWLM can be supplemented in the diet of growing pigs for increased performance and better health status.