Haematological and Serum biochemical indices of Hyla weaner rabbits fed watermelon waste with wheat offal

Abstract

Watermelon rind is a fruit waste that can be converted into livestock feed by combining it with wheat offal as an absorbent. This non-conventional feedstuff can be included in the diet of livestock to replace maize. This study was conducted to evaluate the haematological and serum biochemical profiles of Hyla weaner rabbits fed Wheat Offal[1]Carried Watermelon Rind (WOWR). Forty-five 6 weeks old Hyla weaner rabbits were randomly selected and housed individually. Five concentrate diets comprising 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% WOWR (wheat offal-carried watermelon rind) were compounded and fed to weaner hyla rabbits based on 4% of their body weights (at an average weight of 1.02kg per rabbit). The feeding trial lasted 20 weeks. The analysis of blood components, packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), platelet, haemoglobin concentration (HB), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) showed that there were significant (p<0.05) differences among the rabbits fed experimental diets. There were no significant differences in the neutrophils, leucocytes, basophils, lymphocytes and monocytes of rabbits fed the different levels of WOWR (p>0.05). The result of the serum Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of rabbits fed 10% to 40% WOWR was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of the control group (0% WOWR). It is concluded that feeding watermelon rind with wheat offal as absorbent (WOWR) at the different inclusion levels had no adverse effect on the rabbits and could be used as a novel experimental diet for >0.05). The result of the serum Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of rabbits fed 10% to 40% WOWR was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of the control group (0% WOWR). It is concluded that feeding watermelon rind with wheat offal as absorbent (WOWR) at the different inclusion levels had no adverse effect on the rabbits and could be used as a novel experimental diet for <0.05) lower than that of the control group (0% WOWR). It is concluded that feeding watermelon rind with wheat offal as absorbent (WOWR) at the different inclusion levels had no adverse effect on the rabbits and could be used as a novel experimental diet for rabbits' management to replace maize