Effects of feeding different sorghum varieties on the haematological parameters and carcass measurements of growing rabbits

An eight-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of different sorghum varieties on the blood parameters and carcass measurements of cross-bred (Dutch x New Zealand) growing rabbits aged between five and seven weeks. Twenty five rabbits were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments; T1 (100% maize), T2 (50% maize and 50% “Chakalare” sorghum), T3 (100% Chakalare” sorghum), T4 (50% maize and 50% “Jigare” sorghum) and T5 (100% “Jigare” sorghum). The “Chakalare” and “Jigare” are low-tannin and high- tannin sorghum varieties respectively. The haematological parameters were Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobin (Hb), Red Blood Cell (RBC), White Blood Cell (WBC), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), Monocytes (%) basophils (%), Neutrophils (%), Eosinophils (%) and Lymphocytes (%). The carcass parameters were Slaughter weight (g), Dressed weight (g), Dressing percentage %, (As % of slaughter weight) of Shoulder/forelegs, Rack, Loin, Thighs/Hind legs, Skin/pelt, Tail, Head, Feet, Heart Liver, Lungs, Kidneys, Kidneys Caecum, Stomach, Large intestine, Small intestine, Caecum length (cm), Stomach length (cm), Small intestine length (cm) and Body length (cm). The response showed that most of the haematological parameters were significantly affected (P<0.05) by the different varieties of sorghum in the diets except packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and basophils which were not significantly affected (P>0.05) by the different varieties of sorghum in the diets. However, most of the haematological values fell within the normal ranges PCV (37.33 to 40.67 %), Hb (13.37- 156.73 %), RBC (5.57-6.93%) and WBC (12.67-14.83) of growing rabbits. The carcass measurements and organs expressed as percentage of slaughter weight were not significantly (P>0.05) different among the treatment groups except slaughter weight, dressing percentage, rack, loin, liver, caecum weight and stomach length which were significantly (P<0.05) different. The study indicated that the two varieties of sorghum (“Chakalare” and “Jigare”) can be included in the diets of growing rabbits as replacement for maize without adverse effect on haematology and carcass parameters of growing rabbits.Keywords: Growing rabbits, Sorghum varieties, Haematological parameters and carcass measurements, Nigeri

Blood profile and organ2.O-somatic indices of albino rats exposed to graded levels of used mineral-based crankcase oil.

The effects Used Engine Oil (UEO) otherwise known as mineral-based crankcase oil on blood profile and organo-somatic indices of albino rats were studied. Twenty four male albino rats divided randomly into 4 groups of 6 rats each were used. Rats in three groups (A, B and C) received graded dose levels of UEO respectively every 48 hours for a period of 28 days. Data on PCV, Hb concentration, EC, TLC, DLC, MCV, MCH, MCHC; organo-somatic index for the heart, kidney, spleen and clinical observations of the rats were collected. Results showed that all the UEO exposed rats came down with diarrhoea. The mean % PCV and Hb concentration in all UEO exposed rat groups did not differ from the mean value of the control. Mean EC of groups A and B rats did not differ from each other and also never varied from the mean value of the control. Rats in groups A, B and C showed marked significant difference in their MCV values when compared with the control. The MCH and MCHC of all UEO exposed rats did not differ from the mean value of the control. There was a significant increase in TLC and ALC values of groups B and C rats relative to the control. Significant increases in the organosomatic index for the heart, kidney and spleen of rats exposed to UEO were also recorded. This findings suggest that exposure to UEO affected the blood picture and organo-somatic index of the heart, kidney and spleen of the male rats.Keywords: Used Engine Oil-Blood profile-Organo-somatic index-Rat

Trophoblast cells of ruminant placentas. A minireview

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