Effect of different feed types on haematological and serum biochemical parameters of male and female weaner rabbits

Feed components affect blood constituents and less consideration is often given to health status of the animals used in feeding trials either with conventional or non-conventional feedstuffs; hence, blood analysis is usually carried out in order to assess the degree of well-being of such animal. A total of ninety (forty-five males and forty-five females) weaner rabbits with weight ranging from 790-830 grammes were used to investigate the effect of different feed types on haematological and serum biochemical parameters of weaner rabbits in first and second phase, respectively. The rabbits were allotted into 10 treatments after weight equalization on the basis of sex and different dietary groups (100% mash, 100% pellet, 50% mash + 50% Sunflower leaf, 50% pellet + 50% Sunflower leaf, and 100% Sunflower leaf) in a 2x5 factorial arrangement, with each treatment consisting of 9 rabbits; each treatment was further subdivided into 3 replicates and 3 rabbits per each replicate. The experiment lasted for 10 weeks. Data were collected on blood profile (haematology: packed cell volume – PCV, red blood cell counts – RBC, white blood cell counts – WBC, haemoglobin – Hb, lymphocytes, mean corpuscular and haemoglobin concentration – MCHC; serum biochemical indices: total serum protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, cholesterol, alkaline phosphate – ALP and aspartate transferase – AST) at the end of the 6th and 10th weeks of the experiment from one rabbit per replicate. All data generated were arranged in a 2 × 5 factorial layout and subjected to one-way analysis of variance in a completely randomized design. Results at 6th week revealed both male and female rabbits fed combinations of concentrate and sunflower had the highest (p<0.05) red blood cell counts. Total protein and albumin were highest (p<0.05) in male rabbits than female rabbits. Serum indices of male rabbits fed 100% sunflower had the highest (p<0.05) values of total protein, albumin, urea, and creatinine. At the 10th week, Packed cell volume and red blood cell were highest (p<0.05) in females fed 100% pellet. Red blood cells, neutrophils, urea, and creatinine were higher (p<0.05) in males than females. Females fed 100% pellet had the highest (p<0.05) values of urea, creatinine, and cholesterol. It was concluded that sex had no detrimental effect on haematological parameters and serum biochemical indices. However, feeding rabbits 100% forage reduced the ability of rabbits to fight infection resulting from reduced lymphocyte

EFFECTS OF AESTIVATION DURATION ON TESTOSTERONE, HAEMOLYMPH BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND REPRODUCTIVE TRACT DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT OF GIANT AFRICAN LAND SNAIL (Archachatina marginata) DURING DRY SEASON

Aestivation is a process of metabolic inactivity under which energy reserve are manipulated for survival. Reproductive apparatus and haemolymph biochemical agents also undergo phase manipulation as the duration continues. To determine the physiological influence on key hormone of reproduction and reproductive apparatus, seventy five A. marginata snails were used for this study. The snails were divided into five treatments with fifteen replicate each. Treatment include: Zero (0) week, Three (3) weeks, Six (6) weeks, nine (9) weeks and six (6) weeks post-aestivation. Parameters measured were: Testosterone concentration, haemolymph biochemical parameters (Total protein, albumin, globulin, Aspartate transaminase (AST) and Alanine transaminase (ALT), dimensions (length) and weight of the organs and tissues of the reproductive tracts (Ovo-testis, penis, vaginal, oviduct, little hermaphrodite duct, common hermaphrodite duct, vas deferens and albumen gland) gonado-somatic index and percentage mortality. Result showed that level of testosterone at three and six weeks of aestivation significantly reduced compared to the control. Also, at nine weeks of aestivation, the reduction was significantly greater than what was recorded at both three and six weeks of aestivation. But the testosterone levels were reversed at nine weeks post aestivation. Total protein and globulin were significantly influenced with both reaching a peak value at 9 weeks of aestivation while ALT, AST and albumin were not significantly affected. So also, of all the reproductive tract parts measured, organ weight, ovo-testis weight, penis weight and length were significantly influenced (P<0.001; P<0.001; P<0.05; P<0.001). Similarly, vaginal weight, oviduct weight, little hermaphrodite duct weight and length were also significantly affected  together with vas deferens  length and albumen gland length while aestivation duration had no significant influence on reproductive tract weight, ovo-testis length, vaginal length, oviduct length, little hermaphrodite duct length, vas deferens weight and albumen gland weight. Similarly, gonado-somatic index was also not significantly affected by aestivation duration. It was also obvious from this study that the highest mortality was recorded at 6 weeks of aestivation, followed by 9 weeks of aestivation while 3weeks and 6 weeks post-aestivation had the least mortality with the control intact. In conclusion, it is clear from this study that aestivation duration significantly influenced testosterone concentration, haemolymph biochemical parameters and some selected reproductive apparatus of A. marginata.       &nbsp

Performance and cost-benefits of weaner rabbits fed graded levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal

Moringa has been acclaimed to be beneficial especially in livestock production. Its leaves and green fresh pods are said to be rich in carotene and ascorbic acid with a good profile of amino acids while its twigs are reported to be very palatable to ruminants and have appreciable crude protein levels. However, Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) has been observed to contain higher pepsin and total soluble protein than other parts of the plant which makes it more suitable to monogastric animals. MOLM has been widely used in poultry production but with limited use in rabbits� diets; hence this study was conducted to determine the performance of weaner rabbits fed graded levels of MOLM. A total of 48 unsexed weaner rabbits of mean initial weight of 744.56�29.25 g were assigned to 4 experimental diets, namely T1, T2, T3 and T4 containing 0%, 15%, 30% and 45% MOLM, respectively, having 3 replicates and 4 animals per replicate. The results showed that the dry matter intake of T1-T4 ranged 53.17 - 55.31g/day. Though not significant, highest crude protein digestibility coefficient was recorded for experimental animals on diet T4 (71.36%) followed by diets T1 (69.67%), T2 (69.17%), T3 (68.25%), respectively. The keel length for T1, T2, T3, and T4 rabbits were 225.39, 201.64, 246.66 and 217.26cm, respectively Rabbits fed 30% MOLM were found to be most profitable numerically (N1320.10) while the least profit was obtained with 0% MOLM with N1305.40. Hence, it can be concluded that Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) can replace soya bean meal up to 45% in the nutrition of weaner rabbits

Carcass Yield, Bone Morphometry and Mineral Concentration in Tissues of Broilers Fed Nano Zinc Fortified Diet

Dietary zinc is a potential growth promoter essential for bone development with the possibility of influencing mineral retention in broiler chickens. This 42-day trial was conducted to evaluate the carcass yield, bone morphometry and mineral retention (calcium, zinc and copper) in some organs and muscles of broiler chickens fed diet supplemented with nano zinc oxide (N-Zn) powder. One hundred and eighty (180) Arbor acre broiler chicks were used for this study. The birds were divided into five groups and assigned to the five dietary N-Zn supplementation groups which are; 0 (control), 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg kg-1 N-Zn. Each treatment was replicated thrice to consist of 12 birds each. Vaccination and medication were adhered so that only birds in the control groups received antibiotics. Data collected were subjected to general linear model as contained in SPSS version 23. Dressing percentage did not vary significantly with dietary supplementation of zinc. However, thigh and heart weight varied, with the highest recorded in 40 and 60 mg kg-1 N-Zn supplemented groups, respectively. Copper concentration increased significantly in heart, kidney, liver and muscle of broiler chickens fed dietary N-Zn while calcium and zinc showed no difference. N-Zn supplementation increased tibio-tarsal length and weight in birds, but the bone and robusticity index were statistically similar. This study has concluded that dietary supplementation of nano N-Zn gives a similar carcass yield as those administered antiobiotics, it increased copper retention in organs and muscles and also increased the length and width of tibio tarsal bones

Effects of limiting feed access time and re - alimentation on performance of growing rabbits in a humid tropical environment

This experiment was carried out to study the effect of limiting feed access time on the performance of growing rabbit. Forty eighty (48) male rabbits of mixed breeds (Chinchilla x Dutch x California White) with an average weight of 600g. The rabbits were divided into 4 groups of 12 rabbits each after balancing for live weight. The rabbits were randomly assigned to four feed access times which serve as the treatments. These are: Treatment 1(3hrs), Treatment 2(6hrs), Treatment 3 (9hrs) and Treatment 4 (24). Each treatment had twelve individually caged rabbits serving as the replicates. The limiting of feed access time was carried out for four weeks and rabbits subsequently allowed unlimited feed access time for another three weeks during which data were collected on performance (feed intake and weight gain) and carcass characteristics of rabbits. Limiting feed access time had significant effect (P<0.05). Result showed that restriction had a significant effect on total feed intake, total weight gain (TWG), average daily weight gain (AWG), feed: gain, average protein intake and protein efficiency. The total feed intake and average daily feed intake of Rabbits on Treatments 1, 2 and 3 were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from each other but were significantly different (P < 0.05) from the rabbits on Treatment 4. The total and average weight gain of rabbits on treatment 4 was observed to be significantly higher than those of other treatments while the TWG and AWG of rabbits on treatment 3 were comparable to that of Treatment 2 but significantly higher than that of treatment 1. Rabbits on Treatment 3 had the lowest (best) Feed: Gain ratio which was significantly different from values obtained for rabbits on Treatments 1, 2 and 4. During re-alimentation, similar compensatory growth occurred in all restricted re-alimented groups but the rabbits in treatment 3 had the highest compensatory growth followed by treatment 2 and treatment 1 respectively. The result of this study indicates that limiting feed access time is a viable model for reducing feed intake and improving feed conversion of rabbits.Keywords: Feed access-time, re-alimentation, rabbit, performanc

Effect of body weight at first mating on reproductive performance of rabbit does

Eighteen mature nulliparous rabbit does with initial body weight between 1600g-2500g were used to evaluate the effect of body weight at first  mating on reproductive performance of rabbit does. These rabbits were assigned into three treatments, with T1, T2 and T3 weighing (1600-1900), (1901-2200) and (2201-2500) respectively. The study lasted for 5weeks. The does were mated with buck at ratio 1:3. The reproductive parameters  evaluated were number of does that kindled, litter size at birth, breeding efficiency, litter size at weaning, preweaning loss. All data collected were subjected to descriptive statistical representation. The highest number of kindled does was 5 in T2 and T3; T1 had the lowest number (3). Breeding efficiency of 83.33% was recorded in T1 and T2 while T3 had 50.00%. T3 had highest average birth weight (49.51g) and T2 had the least (41.51g); litter  size at birth and weaning range  from 18 -28kits and 15-24kits, respectively. T2 does recorded highest value in both parameters, T3 does recorded same value (28kits) for litter size at birth. Highest preweaning loss of 7kits was recorded from does in T3 while T1 and T2 recorded 4kits. It was therefore concluded that does with weight range 1901g – 2200g had better reproductive performance with highest breeding efficiency and lower pre-weaning loss. Keywords: Rabbit does, body weight, reproductive performanc

Performance of broiler chickens fed neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf meal as an alternative to antibiotics

One hundred and ninety-two day-old marshal broilers were used in an eight weeks feeding trial to evaluate the effects of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf meal on growth performance and haematological parameters of broiler chickens. The birds were randomly assigned into four (4) groups of forty eight (48) birds each in a Completely Randomized Design. Each group was sub-divided into three (3) replicates of sixteen (16) birds each. The neem leaf meal (NLM) was included at 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% as a replacement of wheat offal.. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The inclusion levels of A. indica reduced (p<0.05) the growth performance of the birds during starter phase but 0.5% NLM produced highest (p<0.05) final weight at finisher phase. The best values of feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency wererecorded in the control while all the other groups had similar values at starter phase. At finisher phase, the highest (p<0.05) weight gain was recorded from birds fed 0.5%NLM while the control and 1.0%NLM had similar (p>0.05) values. The FCR and protein efficiency were similar. There was no mortality throughout the finisher phase while the values at starter phase were similar (p>0.05) across the groups. Among all the haematological parameters that were measured, the PCV, Hb, heterophils and lymphocytes were significantly (p<0.05) influenced at starter phase while PCV, WBC, platelets and heterophils were influenced at finisher phase. It could be recommended that NLM should not be included in broiler chicken diets at starter phase. However 0.5% NLM inclusion level could be adopted during finisher phase for better growth performance without any adverse effect on the haematological  parameters of the broiler chickens.Keywords: Neem, growth performance, haematology, broiler chicken

Pre and post-gestation blood indices of rabbit does fed graded levels of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf meal

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of neem leaf meal on the blood status of rabbit does before and after gestation. A total of twenty-four (24) rabbit does of mixed breeds, with initial average live weight of 1975g were randomly allocated into four (4) experimental dietary treatments; each of which was replicated three (3) times with two (2) rabbits per replicate. The rabbits were fed diets containing 0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, and 7.5% neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf meal. Parameters measured included packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin, red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC) and its differentials for haematology while total protein, globulin, albumin, cholesterol, alkaline phosphate (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured for biochemical indices. All data generated were subjected to one-way Analysis of Variance in a Completely Randomized Design. The findings from this study at pre-gestation showed that neem leaf meal (NLM) significantly (p<0.05) influenced basophil and serum total protein, globulin and glucose. Basophil was significantly reduced in rabbits fed 5.0% NLM (0.33%) while the serum components were affected in rabbits fed 2.5% NLM. The result at postgestation showed no significant (p>0.05) difference in all the parameters measured exceptneutrophils. Neutrophils were significantly (p<0.05) reduced in rabbits on the control diet (26.67%) while rabbits on NLM diets recorded similar values. From the serum component, cholesterol was significantly (p<0.05) highest in rabbits fed 5.0% NLM (62.33mg/dL) and lowest in those fed 2.5% NLM (49.67mg/dL). It was, therefore, concluded that inclusion of NLM in rabbit does' diet up to 7.5% had no adverse effect on the health status of the animals as the values obtained for neutrophils and cholesterol were still within the normal range of rabbit blood profile