Response of goats to partial replacement of dietary protein by a leaf meal mixture containing Leucaena leucocephala, Morus alba and Tectona grandis

This study investigated the effects of Leucaena leucocephala-Morus alba-Tectona grandis (2:1:1) based leaf meal mixture as a protein supplement to partially (50%) replace conventional supplements on the performance of female goats. Local female goats (12) were divided into three groups in a completely randomized design to receive either a leaf meal mixture (LMTM) based supplement, or groundnut cake (GNC) or soybean meal (SBM) incorporated concentrate, and wheat straw as basal diet for a period of about 4 months. Blood enzymes and immunological profile were monitored in all goats at 0, 30, 60 and 90 days of feeding. While dry matter intake (DMI) (g kg(-0.75) BW) of goats given LMTM was higher (P < 0.05) than SBM, it was comparable to their counterparts fed GNC. Digestibility of nutrients, except for depressed crude protein digestibility (P < 0.05) in SBM group, was comparable among dietary treatments. Nitrogen intake and fecal excretions were similar irrespective of supplements, the urinary excretion of N in goats given GNC was significantly higher than comparable excretion in goats on LMTM and SBM. Balance of N (g per day) remained positive in all goats, however it was significantly higher in animals on LMTM as compared to GNC. The DCP, TDN and ME values of the composite diets were comparable among dietary treatments. Intake of DCP, TDN and ME was close to stipulated NRC requirements. Blood enzymes (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)) and serum protein electrophoresis pattern (albumin, alpha-globulin, beta-globulin and gamma-globulin) did not differ significantly due to the replacement of 50% dietary protein by LMTM throughout the experiment. It may be concluded that leaf meal mixture could be used inexpensively as a vegetable protein supplement to wheat straw based diets for goats without any adverse effect on voluntary intake, nutrient utilization, serum enzymes and immune status. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.