JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND VETERINARY MEDICINE
Integrity Research Journals
ISSN: 2536-7099
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/JASVM
Start Year: 2016
Email: jasvm@integrityresjournals.org
Evaluation of Gliricidia sepium leaf meal on digestibility and nitrogen retention in Yankasa rams fed Digitaria smutsii hay basal diet
https://doi.org/10.31248/JASVM2025.673 | Article Number: AA2DEFF813 | Vol.11 (4) - August 2026
Received Date: 26 June 2026 | Accepted Date: 12 August 2026 | Published Date: 08 August 2026
Authors: Mohammed, A. A.* and Kolade, I. O.
Keywords: Yankasa rams., Gliricidia sepium, Digestibility and Retention, Digitaria smutsii
The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Gliricidia sepium leaf meal (GSLM) supplementation on digestibility and Nitrogen retention in Yankasa rams fed graded levels of Gliricidia sepium leaf meal. The study involved twelve (12) growing Yankasa rams, weighing 14.69+2kg averagely. The experimental Yankasa rams were assigned randomly to four dietary treatment levels at 0, 10, 20 and 30% inclusion of Gliricidia sepium leaf meal. Each treatment consisted of three rams as replicates. They were adequately fed and provided with fresh and clean water. The dietary treatments were fed to the experimental rams in a feeding trough in the morning once daily, and Digitaria smutsii hay was fed ad libitum for the 21-day trial. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance of SPSS software. Means were separated using Duncan’s multiple range tests. Results of total dry matter digestibility (DMD) showed a significant difference (p<0.001) in rams fed 10% and 20% GSLM (68.0% and 67.0%) compared to the control (60.5%) and 30% (63.0%) treatments. GSLM supplementation had a significant improvement (p<0.05) in nutrient digestibility, digestibility coefficient at 10-20%, nitrogen intake and nitrogen retention at 10-20%. Nitrogen retained was high at 0-20% (54.55-52.88%), decreasing sharply at 30% (42.85%, p<0.05%), potentially due to fibre diluting available Nitrogen. In conclusion, the in vivo assay showed 10% GSLM as optimal in dry matter digestibility Percentage Nitrogen retained, and this underscores Gliricidia sepium Leaf Meal's value up to 20% for sustainable protein use in hay-based systems and effective improvement in Ram production.
| Abraham, G., Kechero, Y., Andualem, D., & Dingamo, T. (2022). Indigenous legume fodder trees and shrubs with emphasis on land use and agroecological zones: Identification, diversity, and distribution in semi‐humid condition of southern Ethiopia. Veterinary Medicine and Science, 8(5), 2126-2137. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.858 |
||||
| Adama, T. Z. (2008). Towards adequate animal protein intake by the year 2020. Inaugural Lecture Presentation, Federal University of Technology, Minna Series 11, pp. 6-68. | ||||
| Adegun, M. K., Ekundayo, F. G., & Ajayi, D. D. (2023). Growth and blood indices of West African dwarf rams fed urea treated cassava peels with graded levels of gliricidia sepium fodder. Journal of Animal Health and Production, 11(4), 420-429. https://doi.org/10.17582/journal.jahp/2023/11.4.420.429 |
||||
| Ajayi, H. I., Olomu, J. M., & Oyedeji, J.O. (2008). Potentials of African pear (Dacryodes adulis) as a feedstuff for animals. Proceedings of the 13th Annual Science Association on Nigeria, September 15-19, 2008, Zaria, Nigeria. | ||||
| Akinlade, J. A., Ojoawo, O. T., & Oyewole, S. T. (2022). Effect of graded levels and different forms of Gliricidia sepium leaves supplement on nutrient intake, digestibility and nitrogen retention of West African dwarf sheep. Tropical Animal Production Investigations, 25(2), 01-07. | ||||
| Akinmutimi, A.H. (2004). Evaluation of sword bean Canavalia gladiate as an alternative feed resource for broiler chickens. Ph.D. Thesis, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria. | ||||
| AOAC International. (2023). Official methods of analysis of AOAC International (22nd edition). AOAC International. | ||||
| Danese, T., Guerra, A., Simoni, M., Mantovani, G., Goi, A., Pitino, R., Mavrommatis, A., De Marchi, M., Righi, F., & Tsiplakou, E. (2025). Accuracy of estimating total-tract fibre and protein fractions digestibilities using uNDF, uNDFom, and AIA markers, and their NIRS prediction potential in dairy sheep and goats. Plos one, 20(9), e0331549. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0331549 |
||||
| FAO, (2023). Grassland Index. A searchable catalogue of grass and forage legumes. FAO, Rome, Italy. | ||||
| Fadiyimu, A. A., Alokan, J. A., & Fajemisin, A. N. (2010). Digestibility, nitrogen balance and haematological profile of West African dwarf sheep fed dietary levels of Moringa oleifera as supplement to Panicum maximum. Journal of American Science, 6(10), 634-643. | ||||
| IAR (2023). Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Meteorological Data Information of Samaru and its environments. | ||||
| Ikhimioya, I., & Okoruwa, M. I. (2017). Nutrient digestibility and blood metabolites of growing sheep as influenced by supplementary feeding of gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) with neem (Azadirachta Indica) leaves. International Journal of Agriculture, Environment and Bioresearch, 2, 270-281. | ||||
| Mondejar, H. P., & Bestil, L. C. (2016). Treatment of high-tannin madre de cacao (Gliricidia sepium) forage and crude protein utilisation in native goats (Capra hircus). 1st International Conference on Tropical Animal Science and Production (TASP 2016) July 26-29, 2016 Ambassador Hotel, Thailand. Pp. 220-226. | ||||
| Molina-Botero, I. C., Montoya-Flores, M. D., Zavala-Escalante, L. M., Barahona-Rosales, R., Arango, J., & Ku-Vera, J. C. (2019). Effects of long-term diet supplementation with Gliricidia sepium foliage mixed with Enterolobium cyclocarpum pods on enteric methane, apparent digestibility, and rumen microbial population in crossbred heifers. Journal of Animal Science, 97(4), 1619-1633. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz067 |
||||
| Mpairwe*, D. R., Sabiiti, E. N., & Mugerwa, J. S. (1998). Effect of dried Gliricidia sepium leaf supplement on feed intake, digestibility and nitrogen retention in sheep fed dried KW4 elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) ad libitum. Agroforestry systems, 41(2), 139-150. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006097902270 |
||||
| Nepali, S. (2025). Sustainable feed innovation for mountain livestock: reducing the need for imported feed with local resources first. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 9, 1741602. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1741602 |
||||
| Ovismaps (2023 version). Ovi location map: Ovi Earth Imagery Data. Digital map software. | ||||
| Okoruwa, M. I. (2018). Predicting nutrient retention for body weight gain in ewe-lambs fed diets containing gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) and neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves supplement. Nigerian Journal of Animal Science, 20(1), 106-114. | ||||
| Olawoye, S. O., Okeniyi, F. A., Oyawoye, E. O., Animashahun, R. A., Adeniran, M. B., Joseph, A., Adekanye, T. A., Folowosele, D. O., & Adeleye, E. A. (2024). Performance of West African Dwarf Growing Bucks Fed Varying Levels of Gliricidia Sepium Leaf Meal Supplement in Pelleted Diets. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science, 9(2), 135-144. https://doi.org/10.51584/IJRIAS.2024.90212 |
||||
| Pauzenga, U. (1985). Feeding parent stock. Zootecnica international, 17, 22-24. | ||||
| Rusdy, M., Yusuf, M., & Ismartoyo. (2020). Utilisation of Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium as supplements by goats fed Panicum maximum basal diet. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 52(2), 541-545. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-019-02040-8 |
||||
| Shegun, P., Ogbeide, F., Edobor, A., Okoruwa, M., & Ikhimioya, I. (2017). Effects of Gliricidia sepium and neem leaves supplementation on nitrogen metabolism in sheep. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 450-452. https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.7734 |
||||
| Silva, P. H. F. D., Medeiros, G. R. D., Carvalho, C. B. D. M., Cavalcante, I. T. R., Santos, S. G. C. G. D., Neves, R. D. S., ... & Sales-Silva, T. B. (2024). The nutritional value of gliricidia in different fed forms: a systematic review. Ciência Rural, 54(11), e20230475. https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-8478cr20230475 |
||||
| Yusuf, A. L., Adeyemi, K. D., Samsudin, A. A., Goh, Y. M., Alimon, A. R., & Sazili, A. Q. (2017). Effects of dietary supplementation of leaves and whole plant of Andrographis paniculata on rumen fermentation, fatty acid composition and microbiota in goats. BMC Veterinary Research, 13(1), 349. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-017-1223-0 |
||||
Copyright © 2026 Integrity Research Journals. All rights reserved.