HAEMATOLOGICAL AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL PROFILE OF MALE RABBITS FED DIETARY CERIUM OXIDE

Abstract

In an 8-week feeding experiment, 32 growing buck rabbits with an average weight of 1366.56±37.54g, were used to assess the effects of inclusion of different dietary concentrations of Cerium oxide (CeO), a Rare Earth Element, at 0, 50, 100, 150ppm on blood characteristics. The animals were randomly allotted to the four dietary groups, with eight animals per group. Blood samples were collectedfrom the ear vein of each animal on the last day of the experiment for haematological and serum biochemical analyses. The results showed no significant influence of dietary cerium oxide on serum biochemical parameters and haematology (except for packed cell volume, white blood cell and monocyte that were significantly (P<0.05) increased).