Haematological profile and serum biochemical indices of weaned rabbits fed pawpaw leaves (&lt;i&gt;Carica papaya&lt;/i&gt;) as supplements to corn – soybean meal basal diet

A.J. Henry,P.O. Ozung,P.I. Udoh

doi:10.4314/gjpas.v23i1.3

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the haematological profile and serum biochemical indices of rabbits fed pawpaw ( Carica papaya) leaves as feed supplement to a corn – soybean mealbasal diet. The study involved thirty six (36) cross bred (New Zealand White X Chinchilla) mixed sex weaned rabbits of five - six weeks old, with average weight of 166.69±0.02 g.The rabbits were divided into two dietary treatments comprising eighteen (18) rabbits each. The dietary treatments were designated as T 1 and T 2 for rabbits fed fresh pawpaw leaves and wilted pawpaw leaves, respectively. The corn – soybean meal basal diet contained 15% crude protein and 2488.68 Kcal/Kg metabolizable energy. The feeding trial lasted six weeks, during which period feed and water were provided ad – libitum . The studentized t - test was used compare the results from both dietary treatments. Results obtained from this study revealed that the haematological profile and serum biochemical indices of rabbits recorded no significant (P > 0.05) differences between dietary treatments. The study concludes that pawpaw leaves either fresh or wilted when fed as supplements to corn – soybean mealbasal diets will not pose adverse effects on the blood characteristics of rabbits.

Highlights

Feed scarcity has remained a major limitation to livestock production and productivity (Agbede and Aletor, 2003)
Results for haematological profile and serum biochemical indices of weaned rabbits fed fresh and wilted pawpaw leaves as feed supplements to a corn – soybean meal basal diet are presented in Tables 2 and 3, respectively
The low urea levels in this study revealed that the corn – soybean meal basal diet and pawpaw leaves were rich in protein with a corresponding positive effect in the proper functioning of the kidneys

Summary

Introduction

Feed scarcity has remained a major limitation to livestock production and productivity (Agbede and Aletor, 2003). The low level of livestock production has affected adequate protein intake. Intensive rabbit production and domestication can help bridge the meat supply gap in Nigeria and ensure animal protein adequacy. Rabbits have the ability to convert forages and other farm by – products that are not consume directly by humans into highly nutritious meat. They are highly prolific and quite cheap to produce, when compared with other farm animals. Fielding (1991) reported a crude protein level of 16 – 18 % as optimum for growing rabbits Efficient rabbit production is dependent on adequate and proper nutrition (Stanford, 1979). Aduku and Olukosi (1990) reported that rabbits require a crude protein level of 12 – 17 % and energy level of 2,390 – 2500 Kcal/Kg ME for optimum growth in the tropics. Fielding (1991) reported a crude protein level of 16 – 18 % as optimum for growing rabbits

Methods

Results

Conclusion