Effects of Pigeon pea Based Diet on Growth And Attainment of Puberty in Weanling Pigs

ABSTRACT

Eighteen weanling pigs aged between 9-10 weeks were used to study the effect of pigeon pea replacement of soybean meal on the performance and attainment of puberty in weanling pigs. The pigs were randomly assigned into three groups (A, B and C) of 6 pigs each and housed in three different pens. The pigs in the three groups were fed for 10 weeks with the following ingredient as the sole source of dietary protein; group A soybean meal, group B toasted pigeon pea meal and group C untoasted pigeon pea meal. Pigs in each group were fed 2% of their live body weight daily at 9 am and 3 pm respectively. Before commencement of the dietary treatments (day 0), pigs in each group were weighed. Concurrently, blood samples were collected and subsequently weekly from each animal for the determination of packed cell volume (PCV), serum biochemistry assays for Luteunizing hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating hormone (FSH). Weekly body weights of the pigs were determined until the end of the study. Serum total protein was determined by Biuret method while serum albumin was determined by Bromocresol green method. The PCV was determined by microhaematocrit method while the hormonal assay (follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and leutinizing hormone (LH)) was determined using Enzymes linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were determined following standard procedures. Data generated from the study was subjected to one way analysis of variance. Variant means were separated using the Duncan’s multiple range test. Significance was accepted at p0.05) in the mean live body weights and PCV of all the groups throughout the study period. The mean total serum protein level of pigs in group C was significantly (p