Blood biochemistry and haematology of weaner rabbits fed sun-dried, ensiled, and fermented cassava peel-based diets

Abstract

Twenty-four New Zealand white × Chinchilla weaner bucks, aged between 7 and 8 weeks and averaging 0.9 kg in weight, were divided into four groups of six each and used in a 12-week feeding trial to evaluate the blood biochemistry and haematology of rabbits fed sun-dried, ensiled, and fermented cassava peel-based diets. The test diets designated A, B, C and D were completely randomised. Diet A, the control, was a 16.18 per cent CP (crude protein) weaner ration formulated from maize, maize offals, soya bean meal, blood meal, oyster shell, bone meal, vitamin premix, and common salt. Diets B, C and D were also weaner rations of, respectively, 16.10, 16.20 and 16.08 per cent CP in which 10 per cent maize of the control diet was replaced, respectively, with sun-dried, ensiled and fermented cassava peels. The diets were roughly iso-caloric. The haematological components of the study included packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cells (WBC), neutrophil (N), and lymphocytes (L). The biochemical parameters were serum creatinine, urea, bilirubin (total and conjugated), serum glutamic transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), eosinophil, and blood sugar. Liver and kidney weights were also monitored. The results showed that PCV, WBC, N and L were affected (P<0.05) by experimental diets. Also affected (P<0.05) were bilirubin, SGPT and SGOT. However, serum creatinine, urea and eosinophil were unaffected (P>0.05) by treatment diets. Liver and kidney weights also did not differ (P>0.05) among rabbits fed different dietary treatments.Original scientific paper.

Effect of graded levels of ginger rhizome (Zingiber officinale) meal on serum biochemistry of pubertal New Zealand White rabbits

“…The values of ALT obtained in this study agreed with the normal range of 10.00 to 45.00 (iu/l) reported by Merck (2012). However, the values of ALT obtained in this study disagreed with the range 9.17 to 12.80 iu/l reported by Ahamefule et al (2006), they fed rabbits with sundried, ensiled and fermented cassava peel based diets. The normal value of ALT obtained in this study indicates that the activities of osteoblast were not affected because the blood level of ALT is usually a good indicator of the rate of bone formation.…”

“…The values of AST obtained in this study were within the normal range of healthy rabbits 10 to 120 iu/l as reported by University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (2002). However, the values of AST obtained in this study were higher than the range of 7.73 to 16.0 iu/l reported by Ahamefule et al, (2006). They fed weaner rabbits sundried, ensiled and fermented cassava peel based diets.…”

Effect of graded dietary levels of Garcinia Kola seed meal on performance, intestinal microbial load, haematological and serum biochemical profile of rabbits.

“…However, GKSM significantly (P < 0.05) reduced lymphocytes and enhanced eosinophils of the rabbits. The values of the indices were, however, within the ranges reported as normal for rabbits (MacNamee and Sheeley, 1952;Mitruka and Rawnsley, 1977;Kathy, 2003;Ahamefule et al, 2006). The findings are in agreement with the earlier reports of Uko et al (2001) and Adedeji et al (2005) on the effects of Garcinia kola seeds on blood profile of rats.…”

Haematological and Serum biochemical indices of growing rabbits fed bovine blood rumen – content mixture (BBRCM)

“…The differential counts (%) of monocytes, lymphocytes, basophils, neutrophils and eosinophils were also not significantly different (P>0.05). The values are similar and fall within the normal range for health rabbits as reported by Ahamefule et al (2006). The normal differential counts (%) values portray the nutritional status of the rabbits, thus indicating adequate nourishment of the subjects (Chuch et al, 1984).…”