Blood Biochemistry and Haematology of Weaner Rabbits Fed Sundried, Ensiled and Fermented Cassava Peel Based Diets

Abstract

Twenty four New Zealand white X Chinchilla weaner bucks aged between 7 and 8 weeks and averaging 0.9kg in weight were divided into 4 groups of 6 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 Randomized . Diet A, the control, was a 16.18% 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% CP in which 10% 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 study included packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cells (WBC), neutrophil (N) and lymphocytes (L). 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. Results showed that PCV, WBC, neutrophils and lymphocytes were affected (P< 0.05) by experimental diets. Also affected (P< 0.05) were bilirubin, SGPT and SGOT. Serum creatinine, urea and eosinophil were however not affected (P>0.05) by treatment diets. Liver and kidney weights also did not differ (P>0.05) among rabbits fed different dietary treatments.