Physiological response of male rabbits to dietary honey

Abstract

Twenty male rabbits between the ages of 10 – 12 weeks, were divided into two treatment groups. Animals in Treatment 1 were fed diet with inclusion of caramel, while those in Treatment 2 were fed diet with inclusion of honey. Results showed that feed intake and live weight gain were significantly (P<0.05) higher in rabbits fed the honey supplemented diet. Carcass yield and organ weights were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by treatment effect. All haematological indices examined were equally not significantly (P>0.05) affected by dietary treatments. Results on testicular and epididymal measurements showed that paired testicular weight was higher (P>0.05) in rabbits on caramel supplemented diet while paired epididymal weight was higher (P>0.05) in rabbits on honey supplemented diet. Paired seminiferous tubular diameter was significantly (P<0.05) higher in rabbits fed honey than those on caramel.

Key words: Physiological response., male rabbits., honey