Influence of different forms of copper supplementation on West African dwarf does fed malted sorghum sprout

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of different forms of copper supplementation on West African dwarf goats to diets containing fermented malted sorghum sprout supplemented with inorganic and nano copper sources. Thirty-six pregnant does averaged 17±0.2g were used in a 90-day feeding trial to determine the response of WAD goats to different levels of dietary inorganic (IC) and nano copper (NC) supplementation of fermented malted sorghum sprout (FMSP) on growth performance, haematological and serum biochemical profile, serum minerals and oxidative stress biomarkers. Based on weight equalization each group was allotted to the 6 experimental diets containing: 0 mg/kg inorganic copper, 15 mg/kg inorganic copper, 30 mg/kg inorganic copper,0mg/kg nano copper 15 mg/kg nano copper and 30 mg/kg nano copper in a Completely Randomized Design. Data were collected on growth performance, haematological profile, serum biochemisry, serum minerals and serum oxidative biomarkers. Goats on dietary supplementation of 30 mg/kg NC had the highest (p<0.05) weight gain (4.30kg), metabolic weight (2.97kgBW ^0.75) and best feed conversion ratio (23.57). Animals fed FMSP supplemented with 0 mg/kg gave highest (p<0.05) neutrophil (36.67%), basophil (2.33%) and eosinophil (2.00%) and does on 15mg/kg copper supplementation had the highest lymphocyte (65.67%). In addition, serum cholesterol and serum urea nitrogen were influenced (p<0.05) by incremental levels of copper supplementation. Goats offered 30 mg/kg IC had the highest (p<0.05) catalase (1.35) while goats fed 0 mg/kgIC and 0mg/kgNC had the highest (p<0.05) value for glutathione. Also, the dietary supplementation of inorganic and nano copper at 30mg/kgIC and 15 mg/kgNC displayed highest (p<0.05) serum calcium (3.10) and copper (0.09) with comparable value at 15mg/kgIC and 30 mg/kgNC. Goats fed 30mg/kg inorganic copper can be used to increase copper levels in the blood. However, in terms of daily gain, dietary supplementation of 30 mg/kg NC is adequate.