ABSTRACT
The effects of oral administration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) on enteric methane emission, haematology, serum minerals, forage fractions degradability and production parameters in West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep were studied using three treatment groups designated A, B, C and a control group D. Treatment groups A, B and C received 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 grams SC per kilogram body weight (gSC/kgbw) respectively while group D served as control. Twenty adult female WAD sheep randomly divided into five animals per group were used for the study. The study was divided into two experimental protocols (EPs). In EP I, the animals was fed with only Panicum maximum (PM), a grass while in EP II, the animals were fed with only Centrosema pubescens (CP), a legume. Each EP lasted for a period of four (4) weeks. A cross over period of 4 weeks was allowed in between the EPs. Enteric methane emission was estimated using the prediction equation method of Moe and Tyrrell. Haematological parameters, serum mineral profile, forage fractions total tract digestibility and production parameters were determined using standard procedures and methods. The results of this study showed that varied doses of SC had significant (p < 0.05) effects on most of the physiologic parameters studied in WAD sheep in a dose dependent manner. The haematological parameters as well as serum mineral profile were however significantly (p < 0.05) affected but in a non dose dependent manner. Methane emission was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the treatment groups in a dose dependent manner compared to the control in the two EPs. The emission was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in EP II compared to EP I in all the treatment groups and the control. All the haematological parameters in EP I were not significantly (p > 0.05) different from each other in all the treatment groups and the control. However, some of the haematological parameters in EP II were significantly (p < 0.05) different between treatment groups and the control but not in a dose dependent manner. The haemoglobin concentration (HbC) at 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 gSC/kgbw was observed to be significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that at control group but not significantly (p > 0.05) different from each other. The RBC count at 0.4, 0.8 gSC/kgbw and control groups were significantly (p < 0.05) different from 0.6 gSC/kgbw but not significantly (p > 0.05) different from each other. There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in calcium level between all the groups in EP I. In EP I, the potassium level at 0.4 and 0.6 gSC/kgbw were significantly (p < 0.05) higher compared to 0.8 gSC/kgbw treated group and the control. However, the control group had a significantly (p 0.05) difference in the potassium level between the treatment groups and the control. In EP I, the sodium level at 0.4 gSC/kgbw was significantly (p < 0.05) lower compared to treatments 0.6, 0.8 gSC/kgbw and the control group. The control group had the highest sodium level which was significantly (p < 0.05) different from the other treatment groups. In EP II, at 0.8 gSC/kgbw, the sodium concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) lower compared to the other groups and the control. The phosphorus level at 0.4, 0.6 gSC/kgbw and the control did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) from one another but differed significantly (P < 0.05) from 0.8 gSC/kgbw treated group in both EPs. The forage fractions total tract digestibility (FFTTD) were significantly (p