MJAS

Manuscript Details

Association Between Prolactin Receptor (PRLR) Gene Polymorphisms and Litter Size in Katjang-Boer Hybrid Goats

B. A. Makanjuola*¹, B. A. Boladuro¹, O. A. Adesehinwa², J. C. Moreki³, A. O. Sorunke¹, A. A. Bolaji¹, and A. O. K. Adesehinwa¹

¹Livestock Improvement Programme, Institute of Agricultural Research & Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, PMB 5029, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria
²AK Research Farm, Eleyele, Ibadan, Nigeria.
³Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P/Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana.

Malaysian J. Anim. Sci. 2025 28(1): 26-35

Click to view the abstract

This study investigated the effects of commercial enzymes in the diet of weaner pigs on growth, haematological and serum biochemical indices of pigs. Total of 54 weaned pigs which were Largewhite × Landrace crosses with average weight of 11.87±2.36 kg were used. They were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments T1 (Control/Basal diet), T2 (Basal diet + ?-Glucanase at 100g/tonne), and T3 (Basal diet + Enziblend Energy at 500g/tonne) with six replicates in each treatment in a completely randomized design. The results revealed that the feed intake and weight gain did not significantly (P>0.05) differ among the treatments. Weight gain was highest in T2 with 22.2 kg, 21.72 kg in T1 and 20.06 kg in T3. Similarly, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by the addition of the enzymes to the diets. The erythrocyte counts, leukocytes counts, haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume (PCV) and other haematological indices assayed were not significantly (P>0.05) different among the treatments. The erythrocyte counts were 5.86, 5.55 and 5.91 x 106 ?/L in T1, T2 and T3 respectively. All serum indices showed no significant (P>0.05) difference across all treatments except in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL). The AST concentration was highest in T3 (57.88 IU/L). Cholesterol and HDL levels were significantly (P<0.05) highest in T1 (144.41 mg/dL and 93.18 mg/dL respectively).  The addition of enzymes to the diet of the pigs in this study did not compromise the growth nor adversely affect the hepatic function and health of the animals.