Substitution of soy bean meal with gomphraena celosiodes leaf meal in the diet of fingerlings of clarias gariepinus: effect on haematological indices and blood (serum) Chemistry

This paper aimed at evaluating the haematological responses of fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus fed experimental diets containing Gomphrena celosiodesleaf meal as plant protein source. Gomphrena celosiodes leaf meal was incorporated in diets at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of experimental diets. All diets were iso-nitrogenous (41-42% Crude Protein). Fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus with initial mean weight of 10.15±1.54g were fed ad lib on allotted diets twice per day at 08.00 hrs and 18.00hrs for 60 days. The experiment was a complete randomized design (CRD). The results of fish fed test diets showed significant (p>0.05) differences with respect to RBC, WBC, MCH when compared with control. Results indicate a decreasing trend in Hb value of blood with increase in the quantity of Gomphrena celosiodes Leaf Meal (GCLM) in the diet. There were no significant different (p<0.05) in amongst all the diets with respect to Eosinophils, Basophils and MCHC. Blood sugar levels in fish fed on diets containing 75-100% GCLM was 72.73± 0.64 mg/dl and significantly lower (p>0.05) than fishes fed on 0-50% GCLM. The concentration of cholesterol in blood of fishes fed experimental diets decreased significantly (p>0.05) with increase in the quantity of GCLM in the diet. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in creatinine, and total protein concentration amongst the various treatments. There were significant (p>0.05) increase in aspertate transaminase, alkaline phosphate and alanine transaminase concentrations in the blood of fishes among the treatment groups.