Effects of Feeding Graded Levels of Whole Cottonseed on Blood Serum Parameters of Arsi-Bale Growing Male Goats

Abstract

An experiment was conducted with 24 Arsi-Bale growing male goats of about 15 kg body weight and aged 6–12mth in a randomized complete block design to assess the effect of graded levels of whole cottonseed of Gosspium hirsutum spp. (WCS) supplementation of the goats’ diets on serum parameters. Goats were allocated at random to one of the four treatments: the control of sole local grass hay (T1), control + 10%WCS (T2), control + 20%WCS (T3) and control + 30% WCS (T4), with all amounts based on of dry matter intake (DMI). Blood samples were collected at 30, 60 and 90 d of the experimental period and analyzed for the serum parameters: albumin, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, total serum protein and alkaline phosphatase. The level of blood urea N, glucose and alkaline phosphatase increased signifi cantly (P < 0.05) with the increasing level of inclusion of WCS in the diet when compared to the control diet. However, there was no clinical sign of gossypol toxicity observed on any goats during the experimental period. It was concluded that the WCS supplementation at 10% of DMI supports good performance of goats and could be used as an alternative option at any critical period of feed shortage.