HAEMATOLOGICAL PROFILE OF WEANER RABBITS FED DIETS CONTAINING DRIED SCENT LEAF (Ocimum gratissimum) MEAL

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding scent leaf oscimum gratisimum meal on haematological profile of weaner rabbits. Thirty (30) mixed breeds of weaner rabbits with an average weight of 1675g wereused to investigate  the haematological profile of rabbits fed diets containing different inclusion levels (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) of scent leaf Ocimum gratissimum meal. The rabbits were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments comprising of six rabbits per treatment, in a completely randomized design (CRD), the study lasted for 72 days. The rabbits were individually housed in iron gauze cages. Diet was formulated to contain 18% CP, and the controlled diet was free of O. gratissimum. Feed and clean water were provided ad libitum. Blood samples were collected for haematological profile analysis after the feeding trial. The inclusion of scent leaf O. gratissimum in the diets significantly (P<0.05) influenced haematological profile of the rabbits. The Packed Cell Volume (PCV) values ranged from 27-38g/dl and was significantly higher (P<0.005) for rabbits fed diet containing 5% O. gratissimum meal. Haemoglobin (Hb) values were highest (P<0.05) for rabbits fed diet containing 5% O. gratissimum meal (38.333) but ranged from 27-38g/dl in the animals. Rabbits fed diet with 0% level of inclusion of O. gratissimum had the highest white blood cells count (WBC). All the haematological profile obtained were within the normal range of healthy rabbits, thus the scent leaf had no detrimental effect on the haematological profile of the rabbits.=