Abstract
The growth response of pre-pubertal rabbits and their gonadal sperm reserve potential at pubertal stage when fed diets containing a combination of 16% (50-50) bovine rumen digesta-blood meal (BRDBM) mixture and 18% cooked mucuna bean (CMBM). This was in replacement of 500/0 of the maize and 50% of the groundnut cake of a pre-pubertal control diet. Twenty-four male rabbits of mixed breed aged between 6-8 weeks and body weight range 900-915g were randomly allocated to two diets: the control (diet 1) and the experimental (diet 2). Daily feed intake (72.4±7.5g vs 64.0±9.1g), total weight gain (518±1g Vs 406±18g) and Terminal live weight (1427±48g vs 1317±410 were significantly (P <0.05) higher in the control than experimental group. Feed to gain ratio in group I was marginally lower (7.5±2.6g Vs 8.5±1.2g) than for diet 2. However, dressing percentage (68.6±7.00/6 Vs 75.4±9.0%) was significantly higher in the rabbits on diet 2 than diet l. The cost per kg of diet Vs as well as the cost per kg live weight gain (N352.6±O.l VsN344.5H).l) was significantly lower for diet 2 than diet l. The paired testes weight (1.8±0.6g Vs 1.9±0.40, daily sperm production (3.6x 108 Vs 3,8x 108) and testicular spermatozoa reserve were marginally higher in rabbit on diet 2 (experimental) than diet 1 (control). The paired epididymal weight for rabbits on diet 2 was significantly (P <0.05) higher (0.6±0.3g Vs 1.2±0.30 than those on diet l, indicating more efficient sperm storage. The hematological measured were not affected (P>O. 05) by the dietary treatments. The non-significant difference (P>O. 05) in the efficiency of sperm production and sperm reserve between the two diets confirmed that the inclusion of these materials, in the diet of rabbits supports the ventures Of increasing animal protein sources through cheaper rabbits production process in Nigeria
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