Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences

Research Article
Adv. Anim. Vet. Sci. 8(8): 826-832
Http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.aavs/2020/8.8.826.832
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Charles Onochie Osita1*, Augustine Ogbonna Ani1, Chika Ethelbert Oyeagu2, Eunice Amaka Akuru1,2, Nnanna Ephraim Ikeh1, Ifeyinwa Eunice Ezemagu1, Valentine Chidozie Udeh1

1Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria; 2Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa.

Abstract | The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary inclusion of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on haematology, biochemical indices and methane emission by West African dwarf sheep. Forty eight lambs (24 males and 24 females) were distributed in a complete randomized 2 × 3 factorial design with high roughage and high concentrate diets supplemented with three levels of yeast (0, 0.75 and 1.5 g of Saccharomyces cerevisiae per kg of the basal diets). Sheep fed the high concentrate and high roughage diets supplemented with 0.75 g and 1.5 g of Saccharomyces cerevisiae per kg of the basal diet had higher (p < 0.05) monocyte value than sheep fed the other diets. The white blood cell count and total protein values for sheep fed high concentrate diets supplemented with 0.75 g and 1.5 g of Saccharomyces cerevisiae per kg of the basal diet were higher (p < 0.05) than those of sheep fed the other treatment diets. The group of sheep fed the high concentrate and high roughage diets without supplementary S. cerevisiae had higher (p < 0.05) calcium value than sheep fed the other diets. Methane emission values for sheep fed high roughage diet without S. cerevisiae and high roughage diet with 0.75 g of S. cerevisiae per kg of diet were higher (p < 0.05) than those of sheep fed other diets. Results suggested that S. cerevisiae can be added into high concentrate diet at 0.75 g per kg of the diet for optimum performance of West African dwarf sheep.

Keywords | Haemotology, Biochemical, Sheep, Yeast, Methane