Supplementation of wonderful kola (Buccholzia coriacea) seed meal in diets of goats: effect on their growth hormone, performance and health status

Wonderful kola (Buccholzia coriacea) has been identified for its medicinal properties, with the potential to improve animal health and performance. Hence, B. coriacea seed meal was supplemented in goats’ diet at 0 (control), 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 g/kg feed. Twenty-five West African Dwarf (WAD) goats were used for this study, which lasted 56 days. Nutrient composition, intake, digestibility, and feed conversion ratio were evaluated. Blood and serum samples were assayed for health status, while tissue samples (spleen, liver, rump, and heart) were collected to assess the insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) gene expression in the goats. From the results, B. coriacea significantly (P<0.05) influenced nutrient composition, nutrient intake, and apparent nutrient digestibility coefficients, whereas ADWG and FCR were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced. Haematological and serum biochemical indices were within the normal range for healthy goats. Interestingly, IGF-1 gene expression in the assessed organs was upregulated and more strongly expressed in goats fed diet B (0.20 g/kg B. coriacea). Hence, it could be concluded that incorporation of wonderful kola (B. coriacea) seed meal in goats’ diet would not pose detrimental effects on the animal, but rather improve their health status and stabilize performance, particularly up to 0.40 g/kg.