Effects of palm kernel oil-treated diet on some biochemical parameters of male rats

Abstract

Male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were placed on guinea feed mixed with palm kernel oil (PKO) in ratio 10:1 for 35 days, using palm oil (PO) as a reference. Body weight gain, feed and water intake, organ (kidneys, spleen, heart and liver) weights, haematological and liver function indices of the rats were evaluated at the end of the experimental period. The oil-treated diets significantly (p<0.05) reduced the feed and water intake whereas the feed efficiency ratio (FER) increased. The oil-treated diets did not affect (p>0.05) the organ weights and haematological parameters, but increased (p<0.05) the serum aspartate aminotransferase activity and globulin concentration. Palm kernel oil-treated diet reduced (p<0.05) serum total bilirubin and albumin concentrations; the serum albumin concentration being lower than that of the serum globulin. The serum albumin/ globulin (A/G) ratios of the PKO- and PO-treated-diet rats were 0.74:1 and 1.21:1, respectively. In conclusion, the PKO-treated diet improved the nutrient adequacy of the diet, did not affect organ weights and haematological parameters, but decreased the serum A/G ratio of the rats.