The Effects Of Fresh And Thermoxidized Palm Oil Diets On Some Haematological Indices In The Rat

Abstract

The effects of fresh and thermoxidized palm oil diets on some haematalogical indices in the rat were investigated in albino rats (Wistar strain). The animals were divided into three groups namely, the first group fed on thermoxidized palm oil (TPO) diet, a second group fed on fresh palm oil (FPO) diet and a third fed on normal rat feed (control) only respectively for 14 weeks. Each of the palm oil diets contained 15% (w/w) thermoxidized or fresh palm oil. The packed cell volume (PCV) of the TPO group (44.87 ± 0.8%) was significantly (P 6 ± 0.4 x 10 6 per mm 3 of blood) was significantly (P 6 ± 0.4 x 10 6 per mm 3 of blood) and the FPO group (7.19 x 10 6 ± 0.2 x 10 6 per mm 3 of blood). The white blood cell count (WBC) of the TPO group (3.42 x 10 3 ± 0.1 x 10 3 per mm 3 of blood) was significantly (p 3 ± 0.1 x 10 per mm 3 of blood) and FPO group (2.51 x 10 3 ± 0.1 x 10 3 per mm 3 of blood). There were no significant differences between the heamatological indices of the fresh palm oil (FPO) and control groups. Our results suggest that chronic consumption of thermoxidized palm oil diet may result in anaemia and leucocytosis in the rat. Key words: Fresh palm oil; Thermoxidized palm oil; RBC; WBC; Hb; PCV. Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences Vol.19(1&2) 2004: 86-91