Haematological and Serum Biochemical Indices of Rabbits Fed Diets Supplemented with Mashed Lime Fruit Juice as an Alternative to Antibiotics

Abstract

The study evaluated the haematological and serum biochemical indices of rabbits fed diets supplemented with mashed lime fiuit juice (MLFJ) as an alternative to antibiotics. The experiment was conducted with 30 rabbits with an average age of 11 weeks old and were assigned to 6 dietary treatments in a completely randomised design with five replicates each. A basal diet was formulated containing 0, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 ml of MLFJ per 100kg representing treatments T1-T5 respectively while T6 contain 55 g/100kg Oxytetracycline. The treatments T1 and T6 served as controls. All data generated were subjected to analysis of variance using General Linear Model procedure of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) software. Significant differences between treatment means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test of the same software. Result showed significant differences (P<0.05) in all blood parameters considered except alkaline phosphatase. Pack cell volume was lowest with rabbits fed 500 ml MLFJ while other levels were higher and similar. Total protein was significantly (P<0.05) higher at 2000 ml but was similar to 0 ml and Oxyt. It was concluded that growing rabbits could tolerate dietary MLFJ up to 2000 ml/100kg without negative effect on haematological and serum biochemical indices.