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Asian Journal of Animal Sciences

Year: 2011 | Volume: 5 | Issue: 6 | Page No.: 365-372
DOI: 10.3923/ajas.2011.365.372
Physiological Response of West African Dwarf Goats to Oral Supplementation with Omega-3-fatty Acid
K.M. Okukpe, A.A. Adeloye, M.B. Yousuf, O.I. Alli, M.A. Belewu and O.A. Adeyina

Abstract: The effect of Omega-3-fatty-acid on performance was carried out in sixteen (16) West African Dwarf does between 12 to 18 months of age with an average weight of 10 kg. Supplementation of Omega-3-fattyacid was varied from 0 mg for control to 500, 1000 and 1500 mg for low, medium and high level (s), respectively. Blood samples were collected on days 14, 28, 42 and 56 after Omega-3-fatty acid administration and were analyzed for haematological/biochemical parameters. Different levels of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation had no significant (p>0.05) effect on weight gain or feed efficiency of West Africa Dwarf goats. However, there was significant difference (p<0.05) in feed intake. West African Dwarf goats on 500 mg level of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation was observed to have relatively (p<0.05)the lowest feed efficiency and lowest daily weight gain. Results indicated no significant difference (p>0.05) between the mean values of serum total protein (50.50±6.45 to 43.25±6.45 g L-1) and that of serum cholesterol (3.08±0.43 to 2.93±0.43 mmol L-1) and a significant difference (p<0.05) between the mean values of serum urea level (4.45±0.73 to 6.38±0.73 mmol L-1). Although, there was no statistical difference between the mean values of serum total protein and serum cholesterol there was a tendency for a decrease at high (1500 mg) level of supplementation. There were no significant difference in their serum-glucose concentration, It was concluded that Omega-3-fatty acid can be used as dietary supplement for West African Dwarf does without posing any kind of stress on the health of the animal thereby increasing essential fatty acid in animal products.

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How to cite this article
K.M. Okukpe, A.A. Adeloye, M.B. Yousuf, O.I. Alli, M.A. Belewu and O.A. Adeyina, 2011. Physiological Response of West African Dwarf Goats to Oral Supplementation with Omega-3-fatty Acid. Asian Journal of Animal Sciences, 5: 365-372.

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