Effect of tanniferous leaf meal based multi-nutrient blocks on feed intake, hematological profile, immune response, and body weight changes in Haemonchus contortus infected goats

Aim: The aim was to assess the effect of multi nutrient block (MNB) supplementation with and without tanniferous leaf meal mixture on feed intake, hematological profile, immune response, and body weight changes of goats that were experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus. Materials and Methods: Total 12 adult male goats of similar age and body weight (26.49 +/- 0.87) were allocated in 3 groups in completely randomized design. MNB supplemented in first two groups i.e. in T-1 (no infection) and T-2 (H. contortus infection @ 1500 L-3/goat) group, while, MNB-condensed tannin (CT) supplemented in T-3 (H. contortus infection @ 1500 L-3/goat + CT source). All goats were fed concentrate mixture @ 100 g/day/goat, ad lib wheat straw and MNB or MNB-CT to meet their requirement for maintenance. Body weights were recorded and blood and fecal samples were collected at 0 day and thereafter at 15 days intervals for a period of 75 days for the assessment of body weight changes, hematological profile and H. contortus loads. Both humoral and cell-mediated immune (CMI) response were assessed at the end of feeding trial. Results: Mean hemoglobin and packed cell volume (PCV) levels were found to be highest (p<0.001, p<0.05) in T-1 group followed by T-3 group and lowest values were observed in T-2 group. However, The PCV values between T-1 and T-3 groups were found to be statistically non-significant (p<0.05). The humoral and CMI response were significantly (p<0.036) higher in T-3 group as compared to T-2 group. MNB-CT supplementation significantly (p<0.001) reduced fecal egg counts in T-3 group as compared to MNB supplemented T-2 group. Conclusion: Supplementation of MNB-CT could be used as an alternative sustainable method to control H. contortus and maintained health status and performance of goats in face of parasitic challenge.