Blood and reproductive indices of rabbit does fed supplemented algal biomass diets

Main Article Content

L.T. Egbeyale
O.O. Adeleye
D.O. Olapade
I.O. Opowoye
C.F.I. Onwuka
O.S. Sowande

Abstract

Background and Objective: The study was designed to determine the effect of dietary inclusion of algal biomass on the blood and reproductive performance of rabbit does.
Methodology: The total of 20 nulliparous rabbit does, and 8 bucks were arranged into 4 treatment groups of 5 does and 2 bucks per group in a completely randomized design. The algal biomass was included in the basal diet at 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%. The animals were kept in individual cages and had access to feed and water ad libitum. Blood samples for analyses were taken via ear vein from the animals after 2 weeks of feeding trial. Data generated on hematological, serum biochemical, feed intake, and reproductive performance indices (doe weight, conception, gestation period, litter size, kit weight, and percent survivability of the kit) were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance.
Main Results: All the hematological and serum biochemical parameters were similar (P > 0.05) across the groups. The litter size (7.33 ± 0.58 kits) and kit weight (50.59 ± 2.65 g) were significantly (P < 0.05) highest in does fed 1.5% dietary inclusion level of the algal biomass. Conception, kindling period, and kit survivability tended to increase (P > 0.05) with the increased level of biomass. The correlation analysis showed that litter size was significantly (P < 0.05) positively correlated with kindling period (r = 0.589). The doe weight also had a positive (P > 0.05) relationship with conception, litter weight, feed intake, and kit survivability. The gestation period had a negative correlation (P > 0.05) with all other reproductive parameters except conception with r = 0.100.
Conclusions: The inclusion of algal biomass at a 1.5% level of inclusion in the diet of rabbit does did not pose any health challenge but improved reproductive performance with respect to litter size and kit weight.

Article Details

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Research Articles

References

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