The study evaluated the heamatological and serum biochemical indices of red sokoto goats fed different forms of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves and a concentrate diet. The experiment was carried out at the small ruminants unit Teaching and Research Farm, Federal University of Kashere. Gombe state , Nigeria. Sixteen red sokoto goats (bucks) were allotted into four (4) treatments of four goats each. The goats were fed fresh neem leaves, neem leaves hay, neem leaves meal and neem leaves silage at 300g/goat/day for treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively; and concentrate diet at 125g/goat/day for a duration of sixty three (63) days. Water was served ad-libitum. The experimental design was a completely randomized design; data were analyzed using a one way analysis of variance. The significant means were separated using least significant difference contained in SAS 2010 statistical package. The concentrate and the neem leaves were analyzed for their proximate composition using the method of AOAC 2000. Values for all the haematological indices except esinophil were not significantly different, the values for esinophil ranged from 1.07–1.57%. All the serum biochemical values were significantly (P<0.05) different, the values for urea ranged from 7.37 – 10.23mmol/l. It was concluded that the various forms of the neem leaves and the concentrate diet were safe for the goats. Further research using other breeds and other species of ruminants was recommended.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of dry solid sludge residue on the quality of kate elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott) in the second cutting. The design used was RAL (Completely Randomized Design) which consisted of 5 treatments and 5 replications, namely residual effect without dry solid Sludge on P1 (control), residual effect P2 (180 g dry solid Sludge), residual effect P3 (360 g dry solid Sludge), residual effect P4 (450 g Dry Solid Sludge), and residual effect P5 (720 g Dry Solid Sludge). Analysis of variance showed that the residual effect of dry solid sludge had a very significant effect (P˂0.01) on the increase in the content of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and the decrease in crude fiber of elephant grass kate in the second cutting. The results of this study can be concluded that the residual effect of dry solid sludge can increase the content of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and decrease crude fiber of elephant grass kate in the second cutting. There is an increase in dry matter content ranging from 0.46% - 1.74%, organic matter 0.63% - 4.21%, crude protein 1.11% - 20, 55% and a decrease in crude fiber 8.11% - 0 ,94% kate elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott).

A study was conducted on 48 guinea pigs (24 females: 522.21±28.88g and 24 males: 566.75±43.13g) of local breed of Cameroon to evaluate the mineral content of their meat. Animals were fed with Pennisetum purpureum ad libitum supplemented with one of the experimental diets: ML 0% (Control), ML 8%, ML 10% and ML 12% containing respectively 0, 8, 10 and 12 % of cassava leaf meal (CLM). Each of the 4 diets was assigned to 4 groups of animals corresponding to the 4 treatments/Diets and these animals were distributed in a completely randomized design with 12 replicates per ration, six of which were per sex and per group. After sacrifice of animals at 22nd weeks, the meat from the Loin, Thigh and Shoulder, were analyzed. Results revealed that mineral contents of females meat were higher than those of males: Sodium content was highest (p<0.05) in the Shoulder (48.34%) of females fed Control diet; Females fed ML 12% diet registered at Shoulder’s level higher (p<0.05) concentrations of Calcium and Iron (14.64 and 46.78 % respectively) just like in the same part, Potassium and Zinc contents were the most (p<0.05) abundant (9.49 and 4.11% respectively). This study revealed that guinea pig’s meat is particularly poor in Magnesium (0.95%). The greatest (p<0.05) Iron content was at shoulder’s level (46.78 mg / gDM) of females receiving ML 12%. These results suggest that CLM can improve mineral content of guinea pig’s meat.