EFFECTS OF PIGEONPEA BASED DIET ON GROWTH AND ATTAINMENT OF PUBERTY IN WEANLING PIGS

ABSTRACT

Eighteen weanling pigs aged between 9-10 weeks were used to  study the effect  of pigeonpea replacement of soyabean meal on the performance and attainment of puberty in weanling pigs.  The pigs were randomly assigned into three groups (A, B and C) of 6 pigs each and housed in three different pens.  The pigs in the three groups were fed for 10 weeks with the following ingredient as sole source of dietary protein; group A soyabean meal, group B toasted pigeonpea meal and group C untoasted pigeonpea meal. Pigs in each group were fed 2% of their live body weight daily at 9 am and 3 pm respectively.   Before commencement of the dietary treatments (day 0), pigs in each group were weighed.  Concurrently, blood samples were collected and subsequently weekly from each animal for the determination of packed cell volume (PCV), serum biochemistry assays for Luteunizing hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating hormone (FSH).    Weekly body weights of the pigs were determined until the end of the study.  Serum total protein was determined by Biuret method while serum albumin was determined by Bromocresol green method.    The PCV was determined by microhaematocrit method while the hormonal assay (follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and leutinizing hormone (LH)) was determined using Enzymes linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were determined following standard procedures.   Data generated from the study was subjected to one way analysis of variance.  Variant means were separated using the Duncan’s multiple range test.  Significance was accepted at p<0.05.  There were no significant variations (p>0.05) in the mean live body weights and PCV of all the groups throughout the study period.  The mean total serum protein level of pigs in group C was significantly (p<0.05) lower than those of groups A and B in week two while group A was significantly (p<0.05) higher relative to group B and C in week four.  There were no significant variations (p>0.05) in the mean serum albumins among all the groups.   The globulin level in group  A  were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of groups B and C pigs, while those of group B were significantly

(p<0.05) lower than that of group C.  Throughout the study period group A had significantly (p<0.05) higher mean serum LH and FSH concentrations than those of groups B and C.   The mean cholesterol level of group C pigs was significantly (p<0.05) lower than those of groups A and B on week four while of group B were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of groups A and C in week five.  There were no significant variations (p>0.05) in the mean HDL levels in groups A, B and C in weeks one and two. However, the mean HDL levels in groups A and C were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of group B between weeks three and four.  Subsequently, at week five, the level in group A pigs rose significantly (p<0.05) higher than those in groups B and C.  Groups A and B had significantly (p<0.05) higher mean LDL levels than those in groups C throughout the study. The results of the study showed that growth rate and weight gain, follicular waves were similar in all treatment groups.  It was concluded from the study that pigeonpea meal can be a good replacement diet for soyabean meal in weanling pigs and that toasting of pigeonpea has no effects on the nutritive value of pigeonpea meal in weanling pigs.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Livestock ownership currently sustains the livelihood of an estimated 675 million rural poor who partially or fully depend on livestock for income or subsistence. (LID, 1999). These are made up of the populations involved in the production of chevon, mutton, beef, and pork including milk, eggs and poultry.  Depending on the country and scale of production, livestock are important as a major source of family income, or as a saving bank (Steinfeld, 1998) as well as providing employment opportunities to both educated and uneducated members of the society.  Recently, there  had  been  increases  in  the  demand  and  consumption of  animal  products  worldwide. However, this growth is greater in the developing world than in the undeveloped world.  This is attributed to raising income among the third world nations, increasing urbanization and changes in food habit.   This has resulted in the productivity rise amply seen among the monogastrics (Swine and Poultry) which in 1993 represented 63% of all meat consumed globally (FAO, 2000). Pork is the most popular meat consumed in the world today as 44% of the world meat protein consumption is derived from swine and swine products (FAO, 2001).  Recently, there have been some growths in the production and marketing of swine products.  This has been attributed to improvement in general income of the people and overcoming or relaxation of taboos that hitherto constrained pork consumption.

Pig production has a great potential to contribute to high economic return.  This is because of the species special traits such as high fecundity, efficiency of feed conversion, early maturity, and short generation interval.  They are also multi-utility animals providing 40% of meat in the world market, cooking fats and bristles (Fanstin et al.,2003). Improving pig husbandry in tropical resource-poor communities has the potential to reduce risk of porcine cysticercosis as poor management is the major source of this condition that causes high pork rejection upon slaughter.

World pig population is estimated to be about 923 million out of which 552 million are in Asia, 72 million in North America, 194 million in Europe, 18 million in Africa.  The United Nations Agency, FAO with regard to countries estimated the population of pigs as 454 million in China, 59 million in USA, 20 million in Vietnam, 17 million in India, 10 million in Japan, 5 million in Nigeria and 0.5 million in Tanzania (FAO, 1981).

The total pig population in Tropical Africa is estimated at 7.3 million (FAO, 1981). The largest concentration of pigs in this area is in the coastal belt of West Africa; from Senegal to Cameroon which accounts for almost fifty per cent of the total population. There are nine countries in Western Africa, two in Central, and one in Eastern and four in Southern Africa with pig population of 100,000 heads or above (FID, 1991). The distribution reflects ecological conditions, religious inhibitions particularly Islamic -taboos and development efforts of the past State policies (Meyn, 1978b). The same author described three basic production systems, traditional, commercial and advanced systems.   The traditional system found in smallholder farming communities. The animals in this production system are usually indigenous unimproved breeds that subsist mainly on waste products of the household and on field grazing. There are practically no  fixed investments with management characterized by minimal supplementary feeding, health care (vaccination and deworming in particular) and housing. According to Meyn, (1978b) only about 3-4 piglets are weaned per sow per year and the carcass weight hardly exceeds 50 kg. Production is destined for home or village consumption. Pigs managed traditionally contributes about 80% of pigs kept in East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda), 75% in Zimbabwe, 70% in Botswana (Setschewaelo, 1992), 65% in Sahel countries (Chad, Niger, Mali, Guinea Bissau, Senegal), 80% in Namibia (FAO, 1998a, b).

The second production system is the commercial production which targets market demands. This system utilizes concentrates for feeding and also involves costs for recurrent inputs and investments. In this system, breeds with better feed conversion rates are used and generally these have higher performance capacity than indigenous breeds. Thus, exotic animals with defined economic qualities are the animals of choice  in this  system. The commercial systems are normally self-sustaining and usually compartmentalized into breeding and fattening units. They can be distinguished according to the end product they specialize in, viz fat, lard or pork.

FAO (1983) reported that there are two types of commercial production; a commercial small-scale system characterized by improved breeds fed concentrates and having relatively good productivity. The commercial large-scale system is however characterized by improved breeds which are confined mainly to government/parastatal farms and institutional farms.  These are in the decline in most countries especially in Tanzania, Nigeria, South Africa, and Vietnam and their future is bleak (FAO, 1983). In addition, mixed/integrated pig farming is also common, whereby local feedstuffs such as cereal residues and potatoes are the main source of feeds to pigs. In turn they provide manure for land fertility.  According to FAO (1983), the integration of animal  and  crop  production  in  the  tropics  offers  good  future  prospects for  economic  and sustainable agriculture based on organic agriculture. The economics of the different systems are largely determined by the prices and price differentials for the different feedstuffs and meat qualities produced (Serres, 1973). Fat meat is in relatively higher demand in Africa than in industrialized countries which in part explains the premium paid in Africa for pig meat over beef (Serres, 1973).    This  is  presently dwindling according to  the  report  due to  the  increasing consciousness of meat quality and its health implications.

Finally there are advanced systems within an overall stratification of production. Central units engage in stud breeding, selection and experimentation on feeding and health care. Other units engage exclusively in piglet production, which still requires a high level of management, while fattening is carried out in either specialized large enterprises or in smallholdings. Such stratification and specialization is seen as the long-term development path for pig production in Tropical Africa but has not been implemented on a large scale yet (Serres 1973).

There is  increase in demand for pork in international market due to  increasing number of consumers.     This has translated into increased production activities globally (Serres, 2001). Tewe and Egbunike (1988) opined that swine production represents the fastest means of correcting animal protein shortage in Africa.   This is because, apart from reproduction, pigs are characterized by high efficiency in nutrient transformation into high quality protein in form of meat (Pork). In recognition of the potential of pig as a prolific and fast growing animal as well as a  good converter of feed to  meat,  many Nigerians  farmers have  embarked upon intensive production of pigs (Adesehiwa et al., 1998).  Unfortunately, government is yet to recognize the potential benefits of pig production and encourage the populace through pig production friendly policies.  Findings by Adesehinwa et al (1998) revealed that efforts geared towards increasing animal protein supply at  reduced cost  for human consumption will involve improved pork production. They also  reported that  commercial production under  semi  intensive system is becoming more popular because of its favorable rate of return on investments.  Pig production appears  to  have  the  most  promising  potential  for  adequate  animal  protein  source  in  the developing world.

Listed as constraints to swine production are diseases, stress, poor genetic quality of breeds and nutrition (Petrus et al., 2011).  They reported reductions in feed availability both as roughages and concentrates especially during the last decade due to increased animal production activities in many parts of the world.  They also stated that efforts are being made to investigate the potential use of non-conventional feed ingredients with moderate human utility to avoid competition with humans and or to improve the nutritional value of low quality feed.   It is believed that utilization of non-conventional feed ingredients will reduce the cost of feed and maximize returns from production activities (Onu and Okongwu, 2006).  Conventionally, swine diets comprise of ingredients that make for balanced ration at feeding, usually consisting of, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, minerals and vitamins and water.   In the tropics, the protein source in the livestock feed is usually the costliest and resource limiting.  Thus, reduction in the cost of production will involve alternative sources of protein different from the conventional sources like  soybean  meal,  groundnut  cake,  fish  meal  etc  that  are  unaffordable or  readily avaliable.

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) is a tropical plant that possesses qualities of a candidate crop that has been scarcely used in pig feed compounding inspite of its high crude protein and energy profiles.  It is used as human food and inform of vegetable in most parts of the tropics where it is present or grown. According to Wallis et al (1986), India is the major producer of pigeon pea, though substantial production also takes place in Africa.  It is likely that it will be increasingly used in compounding rations fed to livestock. Pigeonpea has also been reported as component of swine nutrition (Falvey and Visitpanich 1979). They demonstrated that its inclusion in a ration for growing pigs made up of chopped banana stalk, rice bran, and corn improved live weight gains.   There are varieties of pigeonpea grown in different parts of the tropics with varying

nutrient qualities.   Salunkhe et al (1985) reported that the chemical and proximate values of pigeonpea seeds are affected by such variables as cultivar, soil type or geographical location.

The effective use of pigeonpea as livestock feed is limited by the presence of anti- nutritional factors such as protease inhibitors, trypsin and chemotrypsin inhibitors (Visitpanich et al., 1985a; Betterham et al., 1993).   To improve the nutritional quality of pigeonpea meal, reduction in anti- nutritional factors can be effected by heating (Visitpasnich et al., 1985b; Singh,

1988), boiling (Rani et al., 1996), roasting (Simoongwe, 1998), extraction (Benjakul et al.,

2000), and cooking (Aarti et al., 2001), resulting in improved protein and starch digestibility

(Rani et al., 1996).

There are many other potential feed ingredients for livestock existing in our environment. However, these are not in popular use either because of lack of proper understanding of their nutritional qualities and or lack of research in this direction.   Pigeonpea used to be popular within the sub humid and savannah derived and savannah belts of Nigeria in West Africa as human food ingredient.  However, its use as component of animal feed is either unknown due to its high food value among the peoples or there has not been any study in this respect.  Moreover, production is so limited as to have a global market effect.

The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the potential use of pigeonpea meal as feed ingredient in the diet of weanling pigs using sub humid zone cultivar of pigeonpea.  This was based on its known nutritional value, availability and high cost benefit value.

1.1 JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY

Swine diets are expensive in tropical countries due to high cost of ingredients used in their formulation, especially the protein components such as soybean meal, fish meal or groundnut cake.  To reduce cost, pigs tend to be underfed and therefore perform sub-optimally.  Pigeonpea seed  is  highly proteinous and  contain between 20-25% proteins (Saxena et  al.,  1987)  and therefore is seen as a potential source of protein in livestock feed.

Hitherto, pigeonpea has been in use in our locality solely as human food or part of it.  It is available, affordable and if the production is programmed could be made a common agricultural produce with unlimited utility.   It is believed that with its 21% crude protein and 1-8% crude fibre contents, it could be used to replace conventional animal feed protein sources as soybean meal, fish meal, groundnut cake or even cotton seed cake if properly harnessed.

Proper use of this feed ingredient will lead to improved production of healthier, pig and subsequently  improves  availability  of  livestock products  such  as  meat  therefore  impacting positively on food security.

1.2 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The Objectives of this study were to evaluate:

1.  The relative performance of pigs fed toasted and untoasted pigeonpea meal.

2.   The comparative advantage of soybean meal over pigeonpea in the diet of weanling pigs.

3.  The effects of the various formulations on the attainment of puberty in young gilts.

1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The findings in this study will help in the assessment of:

i.      Pigeonpea as a possible substitute for soybean in swine diet

ii.      Effects of anti-nutritive factor(s) in the untoasted pigeon pea.

iii.      Impact of heat treatment on the anti-nutritive factors in the pigeon pea.

1.4  HYPOTHESIS

Pigeonpea based diet will enhance the growth and attainment of puberty in weanling pigs and thereby improve the productivity of the pigs.

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