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Growth and Haemato-Biochemical Response of Buck Rabbits Fed Aspilia africana (African Marigold) Supplemented with Zinc Gluconate
Abstract
Growth performance, haematological and serum chemistry indices were studied in 24 buck rabbits fed Aspilia africana supplemented with Zinc gluconate, in a 56-day experimental period. The bucks were divided into 4 treatment groups. The treatments were replicated three times in a completely randomized design. Treatment 1 was constituted by conventional forage mixture. Treatments 2, 3 and 4 were made up of Aspilia africana+0.00mgZG, Aspilia africana+100.00mgZG and Aspilia africana+150.00mgZG, respectively. Average daily feed intake was highest (P<0.05) in bucks fed Asp+150mgZG while average daily weight gain was similar (P>0.05) among bucks fed CFM, Asp+0.00mgZG and Asp+ 150mgZG and higher (P<0.05) than in bucks fed 100mgZG. The lowest/best feed conversion ratio (FCR) was obtained in bucks given Asp+0.00mgZG. Haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume and red blood cell count were highest (P<0.05) in bucks fed Asp+0.00mgZG and CFM. Hb and PCV decreased (P<0.05) with increase in ZG. White blood cell count (WBC) was highest (P<0.05) at 100mgZG. Mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin(MCH) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were highest (P<0.05) at Asp+0.00mgZG and Asp+100mgZG. Lymphocytes were highest (P<0.05) at 100mgZG. ZG resulted in significant increase in serum protein, while glucose was raised outside the reference range in bucks fed 150mgZG. It is concluded that 150mgZG stimulated feed intake and weight gain per buck per day. Aspilia africana without ZG enhanced best feed utilization, encouraged HB, PCV and RBC production while MCV, MCH and MCHC were increased at 100mg in the bucks. ZG supplementation at both levels decreased Hb and PCV but increased serum protein. Glucose was raised outside the reference range with CFM and 150mgZG. ZG evoked significant increase in lymphocytes at 100mg.
