Influence of Carica papaya Leaf Extract on Body Weight Dynamics, Organ Weight, and Carcass Characteristics of Male and Female Rabbits

Abstract

A comparative study was cared out to show the influence of Carica papaya Leaf extract (CPLE) on organ weight, body
weight dynamics and carcass of male and female rabbits using a two by four (2x4) factorial experimental design. Twenty four
(24) crossbred weaner rabbits (6-8 weeks old) of both sexes were divided into groups 1 and 2 of twelve animals each, such
that group 1 were all male and group 2, all female animals. Each group was then divided into treatments according to the
doses of the extract assigned randomly as follows: T₁ (0.0 ml CPLE), T₂ (0.5 ml CPLE), T₃ (1.0 ml CPLE) and T₄ (1.5 ml
CPLE). The results obtained showed no significant difference (p>0.05) for body weight dynamics and carcass, and a
significant difference (p<0.05) for weight of organs such as the liver, heart and the kidney especially in the interaction between
treatment and sex. No significant difference (p>0.05) was observed for the lungs across treatments and in the interaction
between treatment and sex. All levels of inclusion are recommended for organ weights as the weight of organs were still within the normal range which is an indication that the different levels of inclusion of the extract do not have any adverse effect on the animals.