Effect of long-term feeding of subabul (Leucaena leucocephala) on Barbari goats

Subabul (Leucaena leucocephala) fodder was supplemented in the ration of 21 Barbari kids of uniform age and body weight to supply 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% CP on the basis of their CP requirements for 16 months. After this period 5 kids exhibited signs of mandibular osteodystrophy fibrosa. Mild to severe changes were recorded in thyroid gland, hepatic parenchyma and mucosa of intestine in animals in groups 2 to 5 after over 2 years of uninterrupted feeding of subabul. Animals subsisting on higher proportion of subabul in the ration (75 and 100%) exhibited decreased number of spermatogenic cells in the seminiferous tubules, degenerative changes in the kidney, myofibrils and hyperplasia of spleen and lymphnode. On the basis of this study, 25-30% incorporation of subabul which is generally considered safe, does not appear to be safe under a long-term feeding.