Physiological Response and Blood Profile of Sheep Given Forage and Cassava Leaf Silage (Manihot esculenta sp.) in Petir Village, Bogor

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study aimed to evaluate the effect of forage chopping and supplementation of cassava leaves silage or concentrate on physiological response and blood profile of sheep. Sixteen male sheep of 12 months old with average body weight of 21.55 ± 2.02 kg were placed in individual cage. Feed was offered at the level of 3.5% of body weight on dry matter basis and given three times at 0730, 1230 and 1730. Drinking water were provided ad libitum. Completely randomized block design applying four treatments and four groups were used in this experiment. The treatments were T0 (100% forage), T1 (100% chopped forage), T2 (80% chopped forage + 20% concentrate), and T3 (80% chopped forage + 20% silage cassava leaves). The variables observed were pshyiological responses (respiration rate, heart rate, and rectal temperature) and blood profile (haemoglobin, haematocrite, erythrocytes, and leucocyte). Physiological responses were measured once a week in the morning, at noon and afternoon. Data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and any significant differences were further tested using Duncan’s multiple range test. The results showed that treatment had no effects on rectal temperature of sheep. Supplementation of cassava leaves silage or concentrate increased (P<0.05) morning and noon respiration rate. Supplementation of cassava leaves silage increased (P<0.05) heart rate at noon. Suplementation of cassava leaves silage or concentrate did not affect erythrocyte, haemoglobin and haematocrite of sheep. Chopping of forage increased the number of leukosit, but supplementation of cassava leaf silage and concentrate recovered the effect of chopping on leucocite. Chopping of forage tended to give better effects on physiological responses. While, supplementation increased heat load onto sheep, even though this can still be handled by sheep thus do not cause heat stress.