Hematological and Biochemical Indices of a Local Rabbit Does Population Fed Diet Incorporated with Jujube Pulp (Ziziphus lotus)

Abstract

Abstract Rabbit feed in Algeria is still based exclusively on commercial pelleted diets, but the recent use of non-conventional ingredients in feed formulation is becoming more frequent, and several studies were carried out on the incorporation of local raw materials in rabbit feed worldwide. However, studies related to the incorporation of Jujube are nonexistent. In this context; this experimental trial assessed the impact of Jujube pulp on local populations’ rabbits’ hematological and biochemical parameters during three physiological stages: non-pregnancy, pregnancy, and lactation. 72 rabbits were divided into 18 groups of 04 rabbits each one, three groups of non-pregnant females fed 100 % commercial pelleted diet, three groups of non-pregnant females fed 50 % commercial pelleted diet with 50 % Jujube, three groups of pregnant females fed 100 % commercial pelleted diet, three groups of pregnant females fed 50 % commercial pelleted diet with 50 % Jujube, three groups of lactating females fed 100 % commercial pelleted diet, and three groups of lactating females fed 50 % commercial pelleted diet with 50 % Jujube. The levels of white blood cells (WBC), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), lymphocytes (L %), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and Platelets (PLT) recorded in pregnant and lactating rabbits fed a diet incorporating Jujube were greater than those found in females fed 100 % commercial pelleted diet. The results revealed also that 79 % of the variations in ALP, 79 % in creatinine and 57 % in Tb expressed were related to variations in diet and physiological stage. The hematological and biochemical profile of the experimental animals indicated that Jujube is nutritionally appropriate without any deleterious effect on the female rabbits.