FALSE YAM (ICACINA OLIVIFORMIS) LEAF MEAL AS AN INGREDIENT IN THE DIET OF WEANER RABBITS (ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS) TO IMPROVE BLOOD PROFILE

Abstract

A 60 day feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of Icacina oliviformis leaf (IOL) as a feed ingredient on the hematology of weaner rabbits. There were arranged in three treatments with four replicates in a completely randomized design. The control diet (T0) contained 0% Icacina oliviformis leaf (IOL) while the treatment diets (T1and T2) contained 5% and 10% IOL, respectively. An amount of 200 g of the experimental diet was given to the animals each day while water was given ad-libitum. Initial blood samples were collected two days earlier before experimental diet was fed. Data were analyzed using Genstat Discovery Edition 3. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in (Haemoglobin) Hb concentration, PCV, RBC however all the erythrocytes values increased from the initial low values to higher values. The margin of increase was higher for T1. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) among the treatment means for WBC, Neutrophiles, Eosinophiles, Monocytes counts in the final readings. The hematology values recorded for all the treatments fell within the normal ranges for rabbits. Feeding 5% and 10% IOL to a weaner rabbits led to an increase in erythrocytes values and could be used in feeding without any detrimental effect.