Observations on the Pathophysiology of Weaner Pigs Fed Raw and Preheated Nigerian Mucuna pruriens (Velvet Bean) Seeds

Abstract

Aspects of the pathophysiological responses of weaner pigs fed raw and cracked-soaked and cooked Nigerian M. pruriens seed meals were investigated using twenty-five large white x land race weaner pigs with weights ranging from 17 to 22 kg in a 56 days (8 weeks) experiment. Raw Mucuna meal (RMM) and cracked soaked and cooked meal (CSCM) were incorporated into weaner pigs diets at 15% and 20, 30 and 40%levels respectively and tested against a control diet with 0% Mucuna meal. The results revealed that raw Nigerian Mucuna seeds is poisonous to pigs at 15% dietary inclusion level and significantly (P<0.5) affected the hematological and serum biochemical indices of the pigs. It resulted in 40% mortality among this group with dead animals manifesting lung collapse, emaciation serous atrophy of fat and enlarged urinary bladder at post-mortem. Preheated Mucuna seed meal, however proved safe for pigs at different dietary inclusion levels but did not improve most of the hematological and serum biochemical parameters measured. Pigs fed Mucuna bean diets had significantly (P<0.05) elevated levels of serum albumin, cholesterol, creatinine and polymorphs but decreased levels of eosinophils and monocytes when compared with the control group. At 15% dietary level of raw seed, the pigs had statistically similar total serum protein, serum calcium, K⁺, HCO₃^-, total white blood cell and lymphocytes but significantly (P<0.05) increased hemoglobin concentration when compared with the control. Increasing the dietary levels of the preheated seeds also resulted in reduced weight gains among the pigs. This study therefore suggests that raw Mucuna bean is poisonous to weaner pigs but relatively safe after preheats treatment. However, changes in hematological and serum biochemical parameters indicated poor nutrient utilization and muscle damage among pigs receiving higher levels of preheated seeds.