Body thermoregulation and serum metabolic profile of Kano Brown bucks fed Pluerotus ostreatus biodegraded sugarcane scrapings

The study assessed if feeding of Pleurotus ostreatus biodegraded sugarcane scrapings (BSS) would have detrimental effects on body thermoregulation and serum metabolic profile of goats. Twenty-one healthy male Kano Brown bucks (6 - 7 months of age; 9.44 ? 0.39 kg mean body weight) were stratified based on their BW into three treatment groups containing 0 (T1), 15 (T2) and 30% (T3) of BSS in a completely randomised design. Serum total protein, albumin, globulin and albumin:globulin ratio were greater (P<0.05) in T2 than in T1 and T3. Serum urea was higher (P<0.05) in T3 relative to T1 and T2. While serum glucose was greater in BSS diets, cholesterol and alanine transaminase were higher in the T1 than in BSS diets (P<0.05). Alanine phosphatase decreased in the order: T1 > T2 > T3 (P<0.05). Serum creatinine, aspartate transaminase, total bilirubin, sodium, potassium, calcium and bicarbonate, rectal temperature, earlobe temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate were not influenced (P>0.05) by dietary treatments. Values of all serum metabolic indices and body vital signs were within normal ranges for goats. Results show that Pleurotus ostreatus biodegraded sugarcane scrapings can be used up to 30% in the diets of goats without negatively impacting their body thermoregulation, metabolic welfare and health.