Author/Authors :
Onochie Osita, Charles Department of Animal Science - University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria , Ogbonna Ani, Augustine Department of Animal Science - University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria , Ethelbert Oyeagu, Chika Department of Livestock and Pasture Science - University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa , Amaka Akuru, Eunice Department of Livestock and Pasture Science - University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa , Ephraim Ikeh, Nnanna Department of Animal Science - University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria , Eunice Ezemagu, Ifeyinwa Department of Animal Science - University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria , Chidozie Udeh, Valentine Department of Animal Science - University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
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
