RESPONSE OF ALBINO RATS FED GRADED LEVELS OF RAW SICKLE PODS (Senna obtusifolia) SEED MEAL

Abstract

A feeding trial was conducted for twenty eight (28) days to investigate the effects of feeding raw Senna obtusifolia seed meal (RSOSM) on the productive performance, carcass characteristics and organ weights of albino rats. Five (5) experimental diets were compounded to contain RSOSM at graded levels of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% respectively, which constituted five (5) treatments designated T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively. Sixty (60) albino rats with an average weight of 70.52 to 81.05g were allotted to the five dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with three replicates of 4 rats each. Data were collected on feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, live weight, dressed weight, dressing percentage, organ weights (heart, liver, kidney and lungs). Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using a computer statistical package (Statistix 9.0). The productive performance, carcass characteristics and organ weights were observed to be significantly (P<0.05) depressed as the level of RSOSM increases in the experimental diets. Albino rats fed 15 and 20% RSOSM significantly (P<0.05) recorded the lowest weight gain and dressing percentage of 60.10 and 51.78g, 74.46 and 75.38%, respectively. The weight of organs revealed a declining trend as the level of RSOSM increases except for the liver and intestine which indicated progressive increase in the in size as the level of RSOSM increases in the experimental diets. Albino rats fed 15 and 20% RSOSM recorded the highest liver weight of 4.21 and 4.29g. It can be concluded that inclusion of RSOSM beyond 5% in the diets of albino rats has adverse effects on their productive performance, carcass characteristics and organ weights. The study recommended the thorough processing of RSOSM before incorporation into the diets of albino rats and other monogastric animals.