EFFECTS OF TREE BROWSE AND FOLIAGE (DICHROSTASHYS CINERAE AND GREWIA TENAX) FEEDING AND SEASON ON SOME BLOOD PARAMETERS OF DESERT GOAT IN NORTH KORDOFAN, SUDAN

Twenty eight female goats, 4-6 months of age, with an initial body weight of 11.8±1.35 kg were used to study effect of supplemental browse trees (Grewiatenax and Dicrostachyscinerea) leaves and soft stems, pods meal and their mixtures on blood metabolites, hematological indices and minerals (Ca and P). The animals were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments. The dietary treatments consisted of Grewiatenax foliage and Dichrostashysceineria pods, (20% and 30%). Blood samples were collected and assayed for blood metabolites, hematological indices and minerals (Ca and P). Simple correlation coefficients between body weights, hematological indices and blood metabolites were computed. Blood hematological indices (Hb% and PCV%) showed an increase during winter months for PCV% and during the rainy season months for Hb% Plasma calcium and phosphorus levels did not differ (P>0.05) among goats during the three seasons, with summer season recording slightly the highest plasma Ca levels. The highest blood protein levels were recorded for Ration 1 during the summer season, highest blood albumin levels were for Ration 1 during the rainy season and highest blood glucose levels were recorded for goats on Rations 2 and 3 during the winter season. There were high positive correlation coefficients between feed intake, water consumption, blood metabolites and mineral profiles. Therefore, it could be concluded that, feeding browse trees’ foliage and pods to goats to improved feed intake and body weights as evidenced by blood metabolites, with some seasonal differences among goats on different rations.