Haematological profile and serum biochemical indices of weaned rabbits fed pawpaw leaves (<i>Carica papaya</i>) as supplements to corn – soybean meal basal diet

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the haematological profile and serum biochemical indices of rabbits fed pawpaw (Carica papaya) leaves as feed supplement to a corn – soybean mealbasal diet. The study involved thirty six (36) cross bred (New Zealand White X Chinchilla) mixed sex weaned rabbits of five - six weeks old, with average weight of 166.69±0.02 g.The rabbits were divided into two dietary treatments comprising eighteen (18) rabbits each. The dietary treatments were designated as T₁ and T₂ for rabbits fed fresh pawpaw leaves and wilted pawpaw leaves, respectively. The corn – soybean meal basal diet contained 15% crude protein and 2488.68 Kcal/Kg metabolizable energy. The feeding trial lasted six weeks, during which period feed and water were provided ad – libitum. The studentized t- test was used compare the results from both dietary treatments. Results obtained from this study revealed that the haematological profile and serum biochemical indices of rabbits recorded no significant (P > 0.05) differences between dietary treatments. The study concludes that pawpaw leaves either fresh or wilted when fed as supplements to corn – soybean mealbasal diets will not pose adverse effects on the blood characteristics of rabbits.

Keywords: Rabbits, Pawpaw leaves, haematology, serum biochemistry