Effects of Moringa oleifera leaf meal on the haematological and serum biochemical parameters of West African ewes

Abstract

Haematological and serum biochemical parameters are reliable indicators of the nutritional, physiological, and health status of livestock, particularly when evaluating the suitability of alternative feed resources such as Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM). This study evaluated the effects of dietary inclusion of MOLM on the haematological and serum biochemical profiles of West African Dwarf ewes over a 90-day feeding period. Forty healthy West African Dwarf ewes, with a mean body weight of 12.4 ± 0.23 kg, were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design, with ten animals per treatment. The diets contained 0 %, 5 %, 10 %, and 15 % MOLM and were designated as groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. Blood samples (5 mL) were collected from each animal on days 1, 30, 60, and 90 and analysed using standard laboratory procedures. Haematological analysis showed that packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), and red blood cell (RBC) counts were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in ewes fed diets containing 5 %, 10 %, and 15 % MOLM than in the control group. Serum biochemical analysis revealed that total bilirubin concentrations were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the control group than in the groups receiving 10 % and 15 % MOLM. All measured haematological and serum biochemical parameters remained within the normal physiological ranges reported for healthy sheep, indicating that dietary inclusion of MOLM did not adversely affect animal health. The improved haematological profile suggests enhanced erythropoiesis and nutritional status in MOLM-fed ewes. It was concluded that Moringa oleifera leaf meal can be safely incorporated into diets of West African Dwarf ewes at levels of up to 15 %, with favourable effects on blood health indicators.