Effect of dietary inclusion of mealworm frass on growth, hematology, and serum biochemistry of sheep

Frass is the main component of worm by-product which exhibit anti-microbial and anti-pathogenic properties. In the present study, we assessed the possibility of mealworm frass in sheep feeding regime and evaluated its effect on health and growth performance of sheep. A total of 09 experimental sheep (18-24 months of age) were grouped into three categories (T1, T3, and T3); each group comprised 3 animals including 2 males and 1 female. Group T1 was considered control, group T2 contains 75% commercial feed and 25 mealworm frass, and T3 was 50:50 of commercial feed and mealworm frass. The sheep in group T2 showed average weight gain of 2.9 kg; however, when the dietary inclusion increased up to 50% of mealworm frass or decreased up to 50% of concentrate feed, the average weight gain decreased up to 2.01 kg (group T3). Moreover, the sheep fed with 25% mealworm frass exhibited the lowest feed refusal percentage (6.33%) in total duration of the dietary period (6 weeks). The highest volume of RBC was found in blood collected from sheep fed within group T2 (10.22 10(12)/L +/- 0.34), followed by sheep fed in group T3 (8.96 x 10(12)/L +/- 0.99) (P < 0.05). Significantly (P < 0.05) highest MCV volume in fL (femtoliter) was found in group T2 (32.83 +/- 0.44) followed by group T3 (31.23 +/- 0.23). The animals in group T3 showed significantly (P < 0.05) highest MCHC volume (40.47 g/dL +/- 0.62) followed by group T2 (38.77 +/- 0.97). Similar trend was found in MPV (fL); significantly (P < 0.05) highest MPV volume was found in group T3 (12.63 +/- 0.09) followed by group T2 (12.53 +/- 0.33). Significantly (P < 0.05) high serum phosphorous (P) (6.00 +/- 0.29), TG (60.03 +/- 3.11), and TP (7.63 g/dL +/- 0.23) levels were found in group T3, followed by animals in group T2. We can conclude that inclusion of mealworm frass to replace 25% commercial concentrate feed improved the growth rate and overall health status of the sheep. The present study laid a foundation for the utilization of the mealworm frass (waste product) in ruminant feeding.