Nutritive value, feed intake and blood profile of Yankassa rams supplemented camel’s foot (Piliostigma Thonningii) essential oil-based diet

Emmanuel Anaso

doi:10.53663/turjfas.1718783

Nutritive value, feed intake and blood profile of Yankassa rams supplemented camel’s foot (Piliostigma Thonningii) essential oil-based diet

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of Piliostigma thonningii essential oil (PTEO) supplementation on feed intake and hematological parameters of growing sheep. Twenty-one healthy Yankassa ram lambs (6–7 months old; average weight: 10.55 ± 0.60 kg) were randomly assigned to three treatment groups in a completely randomized design. Each group received the same basal diet with different levels of PTEO: 0 ml/kg (T1 – control), 5 ml/kg (T2), and 10 ml/kg (T3), over a 16-week feeding period. Dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE), organic matter (OM), acid detergent fibre (ADF), and hemicellulose intake increased significantly (p < 0.05) across treatments, with the highest values observed in T3. Similarly, crude protein (CP), non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and cellulose intakes were higher in PTEO-supplemented groups compared to the control. The highest DM intake in T3 indicated that PTEO at 10 ml/kg diet did not compromise palatability. Hematological parameters followed a consistent ly positive trend with increasing PTEO supplementation. Packed cell volume (PCV) ranged from 35.55% to 41.29%, hemoglobin (Hb) from 11.76 to 13.04 g/dL, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) from 31.43% to 33.52%, neutrophils from 39.33% to 44.30%, and eosinophils from 5.00% to 7.51%, all increasing in the order T3 > T2 > T1. Red blood cells (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), white blood cells (WBC), and lymphocyte counts were also higher in the PTEO-supplemented groups. Conversely, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was highest in the control group (T1), while basophils and monocytes showed no significant differences among treatments. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of PTEO at 10 ml/kg improved nutrient intake and supported favorable hematological responses, indicating enhanced health and performance. PTEO may serve as a safe, sustainable alternative to synthetic feed additives in sheep production

Keywords

Essential oil, Hematology, Sheep, Small ruminants, Tropical phytogenic, Welfare

Supporting Institution

Not applicable.

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval was granted by the Animal Ethics and Conduct Board of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja. The approval granted conform with international standards for conducting research on small ruminants, acknowledging the current international recommendations on the humane slaughter of livestock.

Thanks

Not applicable.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Veterinary Sciences (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Emmanuel Anaso ^*
0009-0001-6886-8557
Nigeria

Early Pub Date

December 16, 2025

Publication Date

December 25, 2025

Submission Date

June 13, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 1, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 7 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.53663/turjfas.1718783

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA86JA38HY

APA

Anaso, E. (2025). Nutritive value, feed intake and blood profile of Yankassa rams supplemented camel’s foot (Piliostigma Thonningii) essential oil-based diet. Turkish Journal of Food and Agriculture Sciences, 7(2), 231-241. https://doi.org/10.53663/turjfas.1718783

AMA

1.Anaso E. Nutritive value, feed intake and blood profile of Yankassa rams supplemented camel’s foot (Piliostigma Thonningii) essential oil-based diet. Turk J Food Agric Sci. 2025;7(2):231-241. doi:10.53663/turjfas.1718783

Chicago

Anaso, Emmanuel. 2025. “Nutritive Value, Feed Intake and Blood Profile of Yankassa Rams Supplemented Camel’s Foot (Piliostigma Thonningii) Essential Oil-Based Diet”. Turkish Journal of Food and Agriculture Sciences 7 (2): 231-41. https://doi.org/10.53663/turjfas.1718783.

EndNote

Anaso E (December 1, 2025) Nutritive value, feed intake and blood profile of Yankassa rams supplemented camel’s foot (Piliostigma Thonningii) essential oil-based diet. Turkish Journal of Food and Agriculture Sciences 7 2 231–241.

IEEE

[1]E. Anaso, “Nutritive value, feed intake and blood profile of Yankassa rams supplemented camel’s foot (Piliostigma Thonningii) essential oil-based diet”, Turk J Food Agric Sci, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 231–241, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.53663/turjfas.1718783.

ISNAD

Anaso, Emmanuel. “Nutritive Value, Feed Intake and Blood Profile of Yankassa Rams Supplemented Camel’s Foot (Piliostigma Thonningii) Essential Oil-Based Diet”. Turkish Journal of Food and Agriculture Sciences 7/2 (December 1, 2025): 231-241. https://doi.org/10.53663/turjfas.1718783.

JAMA

1.Anaso E. Nutritive value, feed intake and blood profile of Yankassa rams supplemented camel’s foot (Piliostigma Thonningii) essential oil-based diet. Turk J Food Agric Sci. 2025;7:231–241.

MLA

Anaso, Emmanuel. “Nutritive Value, Feed Intake and Blood Profile of Yankassa Rams Supplemented Camel’s Foot (Piliostigma Thonningii) Essential Oil-Based Diet”. Turkish Journal of Food and Agriculture Sciences, vol. 7, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 231-4, doi:10.53663/turjfas.1718783.

Vancouver

1.Emmanuel Anaso. Nutritive value, feed intake and blood profile of Yankassa rams supplemented camel’s foot (Piliostigma Thonningii) essential oil-based diet. Turk J Food Agric Sci. 2025 Dec. 1;7(2):231-4. doi:10.53663/turjfas.1718783

Cited By

Effects of Piliostigma Thonningii (Schumach.) milne-rech essential oil supplementation on reproductive performance, semen quality, and fertility indices in bunaji bulls

International Journal of Agriculture, Environment and Food Sciences

https://doi.org/10.31015/jaefs.2026.1.6

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