EFFECTS OF INCLUSION LEVELS OF TRIDAX PROCUMBENS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND GLUTATHIONE STATUS OF RABBIT BUCKS

Abstract

Effects of Tridax procumbens (T. procumbens) on growth performance parameters and Glutathione (GSH) of buck rabbits were studied. Forty-eight (48) New Zealand White Rabbit bucks of 16 – 18 weeks of age and weighing between 1260 -1305g were used in the study. The animals on arrival at the site of study were pre-conditioned for 1 week to enable them adapt to their new environment. At the end of the adjustment period, the rabbits were randomly assigned to four dietary treatment groups of 12 rabbits per treatment: T1 (control), T2, T3 and T4 contained (200g, 300g and 400g) of T.procumbens/kg of diet, respectively. The four treatment groups were fed their experimental diets for 8 weeks. Feed intakes during the experimental duration were strictly monitored. Animals were reweighed to obtain their final body weights for all treatment groups after the 8 weeks of study. Animals on all dietary treatments had similar (P > 0.05) average daily feed intake (ADFI). However, animals on the positive control groups: T2, T3 and T4 had significant (P < 0.05) better average daily gain (ADG) compared to the T1 group of animals with the T4 group showing the best ADG. Similarly, animals on the T2, T3 and T4 dietary groups had significantly (P < 0.05) better feed efficiency (FE) compared with the T1 group with the T4 group showing the best or most superior FE. Tridax had no effects (p>0.05) on rabbit bucks. It was concluded that dietary inclusion rate of 400g of T. procumbens/kg of diet best supports buck rabbit growth performance parameters but has no effect on the GSH status of the rabbits.