BLOOD INDICES OF RABBIT FED DIETS CONTAINING DIFFERENT QUALITY PROTEIN MAIZE

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the effects of inclusion of quality protein maize as substitute for normal maize on haematological and serum biochemical indices in the diet of weaned rabbits. A total of forty eight weaned rabbis of relatively the same size were randomly allotted to 3 dietary treatments and each treatment was replicated 4 times with four rabbits per replicate. The experimental design was completely randomized design, with 3 experimental dietary groups. Three diets were formulated to contain 3 different types of maize in equal proportion. Diet I contained the normal maize (TZBP), Diet 2 contained OPM (ART/98/SW5/OB) while diet 3 contained OPM (ART/98/SW6/OB). The ingredients in all the diets were the same except the maize. Rabbits fed diet containing QPM had better weight than those fed normal maize. The result of haematological indices showed that the packed cell volume of the rabbit fed experimental diets were relatively the same in the diet 2 and 3 contained QPM but slightly higher than diet 1 fed normal maize. The WBC of the rabbits fed quality protein maize was relatively the same but higher than that of diet 1 fed normal maize. The mean corspuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was significantly higher in diet 2 and 3 containing OPM and the value fell within the recommended values of 29 — 40 % for normal rabbit. The neutrophil and monocyte % were low in diet containing normal maize. The total protein was high in diet 2 and 3 containing OPM than diet 1 containing normal maize The blood globulin for rabbit in diet 2 and 3 was 2.45 and 2.47g/dl which was significantly higher than 1.34 reported in diet 1. The blood phosphorus was significantly better in the diet containing OPM. Significant differences were not observed in Albumin and creatine levels in rabbit fed experimental diet. The results of haematological and biochemical indices supported the fact that OP Mis superior to normal maize