Impact of Moringa Fodder Supplementation on Serum Mineral Profile in Anaemic Goats

A field study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of feeding Moringa oleifera tree fodder on the recovery rate of anaemia in desi kids under semi-intensive rearing. Twenty Desi kids 6-8 months of age were selected and anaemic status of animals was assessed using FAMACHA chart, further confirmed by haematology study. Twelve animals were selected based on the levels of Haemoglobin and stratified into control (T0) and treatment groups (T1). The samples of Moringa oleifera fodder samples were collected and analysed. Chemical composition of Moringa oleifera fodder in terms of DM, CP, EE, CF and total ash were 20.24 ± 0.30, 25.79 ± 0.99, 5.89 ± 0.12, 11.2 ± 0.51 and 9.63 ± 0.13 percent, respectively. The mineral profile of the Moringa fodder was calcium (1.42 ± 0.06), magnesium(90.23 ± 2.19), copper (6.77 ± 0.59), zinc (45.81 ± 2.64) and iron (512.52 ± 4.4) in ppm. The provocative cause of anaemia eliminated by deworming and ectoparasitic drugs. The feeding trial was started after 48 hours of deworming offering 200g of fresh Moringa in the morning to T1 before allowing for grazing. Simultaneously, T0 was allowed for regular grazing without any supplementation. Haematological parameters after 45 days revealed a significant elevation of serum iron level in the T1 (P = 0.00019) with consequential increase of Haemoglobin (P = 0.01) and PCV (P = 0.02) level when compared to the T0. Zinc level (P = 0.003) in serum also significantly increased reflecting the high concentration of zinc in moringa. The study observed enhancement in recovery rate of anaemic kids with substantial increase of zinc level.