Publication Details
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of neem oil (Azadirachtaindica) on the haematology, serum biochemistry and carcass characteristics of weaned rabbits. A total of 50 weaned male cross bred rabbits between 5-6 weeks with an average weight of 565.4g-566.8gwere divided into five dietary groups of ten (10) weaned rabbits each in a completely randomized design. The dietary treatments include a control, T1 (basal) diet with no neem oil (NOL), T2, T3, T4 and T5 were fed basal diet supplemented with NOL at 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.4% respectively. Feed and water were offered ad libitum throughout the experiment which lasted for 12 weeks. The data obtained was used to evaluate the haematology: packed cell volume, Haemoglobin, Red Blood Cell, White Blood Cell, Mean Corpuscular Volume, Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration., serum biochemistry: Total protein, Globulin, Cholesterol, Glucose and Serum electrolytes (Sodium and chloride) and carcass characteristics, final weight, head, dressing percentage, liver, kidney, heart, lungs and spleen were significantly (P˂0.05) different among the treatments. All the haematological parameters evaluated differs significantly (P˂0.05) except haemoglobin, red blood cell, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration which were not influenced (P˃0.05) by the dietary supplementation of neem oil. The serum biochemistry parameters evaluated differs significantly (P˂0.05) among the treatments, except total protein values which were not significantly affected (P>0.05) by neem oil (P>0.05). Result on carcass evaluation revealed that T5 had the highest weight gain (755.90 g) followed by T4 (734.0g), T3 (705.90g), T2(705.0g) and T1(621.80g) respectively. Highest mortality was recorded in T1 (2%) followed by T2 (1%), none was recorded in T3, T4 and T5. Neem oil significantly influenced (P˂0.05) all the parameters measured. It was concluded that neem oil contains some essential nutrients and bioactive chemicals and could be included in the diets of rabbits at 0.4 % without causing any deleterious effect on the performance and health of the animal.