Nutrient digestibility, haematological and serum biochemical indices of rabbits fed graded levels of Acacia Albida Pods

摘要

In a 12-week feeding trial, the nutrient digestibility and blood parameters of crossbred (Dutch x New Zealand white) rabbits fed graded levels of Acacia albida pods (AAP) were investigated during weeks 8 and 12 of the study period. The AAP were included at 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% levels in diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. The digestibility for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) were 66.69 to 75.69% Vs 68.16 to 77.19%, 74.62 to 82.74 % Vs 71.06 to 80.38% and 68.95 to 81.23% Vs 75.45 to 86.35% for weeks 8 and 12, respectively. DM and crude fibre (CF) digestibility did not differ significantly (P>0.05) among the treatments in week 8 but differed in week 12 of the study. CP and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) of 82.14 and 81.23% respectively for diet 1 were higher and significantly (P0.05) among the treatments in week 8. A similar trend was observed in week 12 except for RBC, Hb and MCH. Hb and MCH (9.75g/100ml and 13.01pg) for diet 1 were significantly (P>0.05) different from the other treatments and lower than reference values. Globulin, uric acid, urea and cholesterol did not differ significantly (P>0.05) throughout the duration of the experiment and were consistent with reference values. Total protein (6.13 to 7.33g/dl), albumin (3.53 to 4.20g/dl) and glucose (86.25 to 127.50mg/dl) were significantly (P<0.05) different among the treatments but with no clear cut trend except for glucose which increased with increasing levels of AAP beyond the 20% inclusion level. Thus, up to 40% AAP can be included in rabbit’s diet without adverse effect on nutrient digestibility and blood parameters.