Whole cottonseed (WCS) is an important source of protein for ruminants, however, it contains a polyphenolic secondary metabolite gossypol which may reduce its palatability and cause pathophysiological effects. The study was aimed at evaluating the effects of feeding graded levels of WCS on the haemato-biochemical parameters of Red Sokoto bucks (RSB). After a 14-day pre-treatment period, 20 bucks (n = 5) were assigned for 90 days to one of four isonitrogeneous treatments: control (A); 0 % (B); 15 % (C); 30 % and (D); 45 %. Blood was collected for Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and serum analyses at days 0, 45 and 90 of the experimental period for concentrations of urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, globulin and activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The PCV was decreased in groups fed above 15 % of WCS on days 45. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in globulin concentration, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities but aspartate transferase activity was higher (p < 0.05) in group D (45% WCS) compared to the various treatment groups. The urea concentration was higher (p < 0.05) in groups B and D at day 45 compared to the control group. The creatinine concentration was higher (p < 0.05) in group D at days 45 and 90 compared to the control group. The serum total protein and albumin concentration were higher (p < 0.05) in groups C and D at day 45 compared to the control group. Our finding revealed that prolonged feeding of bucks above 30 % WCS for more than 60 days exerted considerable deleterious and adverse effects on blood constituents leading to aneamia, hyper-cretenaemia, ureamia, increased levels of total protein, albumin, aspartate transferase activity and death.
Key words: Keywords: Biochemical parameters, Bucks, Gossypol, Serum, Whole Cotton seed.
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