Authors : A.O. Fasuyi, F.J. Ibitayo and O.S. Alo
Abstract: Tithonia diversifolia (wild sunflower) Leaf Meal (TDLM) was prepared and fed to 24 large white growing pigs in 3 varying inclusion levels (10, 20 and 30%) as protein supplements in a completely randomized designed experiment. Haematological (including serum chemistry) and histopathological examinations were carried out. White Blood Cells (WBC) count was most significantly affected (p<0.05) with pigs on 30% TDLM inclusion having the highest WBC value of 18083 mm3. The urea level of 6.04 mmol was highest (p<0.05) for pigs on 20% TDLM inclusion level while pigs on 20 and 30% TDLM inclusion levels had the highest serum creatine at 150.06 and 150.12 μmol L-1, respectively. The urea and creatine values which increased across the increasing inclusion of TDLM may be suggestive of nephotoxic bioactivity of the TDLM. Total cholesterol content was highest at 5.94 μmol L-1 for pigs on 30% TDLM inclusion and decreased as the TDLM inclusion declined. There were noticeable degeneration, bleeding and inflammation of the stomach inner linings and external appearance of the large intestine. It can be concluded that safe nutritional regimes existed below and at levels not exceeding 20% TDLM inclusion in diets of growing pigs when used as protein supplement. Tithonia diversifolia Leaf Meal (TDLM) could be a suitable health diet to combact some fatty acid metabolic diseases at 10% inclusion in the diet of pigs. The histopathology revealing severe epithelial erosion and haemorrages could be instructive of the toxicological effects of TDLM at high inclusion levels above 20%.
A.O. Fasuyi, F.J. Ibitayo and O.S. Alo, 2013. Histopathology, Haematology and Serum Chemistry of Growing Pigs Fed Varying Levels of Wild Sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia) Leaf Meal as Protein Supplements. Veterinary Research, 6: 78-87.