Effects of graded levels of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) meal on the Serum metabolites of growing Rabbits

Abstract

A 90-day experiment was conducted using a total of twenty-four unsexed growing rabbits to investigate the influence of feeding graded levels of turmeric meal as an additive on their metabolites. The rabbits were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (T₁ – T₄) with six animals per treatment and three replicates in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The turmeric was incorporated in graded levels of 0g, 0.5g, 0.7g and 0.9g per kg feed in T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ respectively. Serum metabolite parameters evaluated were Urea, Creatinine, Glucose, Total Protein, Albumin, Total bilirubin, Conjugated bilirubin and Cholesterol. Significant differences (P <0.05) were observed with respect to treatment effects on creatinine, glucose, urea, cholesterol, conjugated bilirubin, total bilirubin, albumin and total protein. Turmeric as feed additive has beneficial effects on serum metabolites of growing rabbits and it is recommended that up to 0.9gturmeric/kg diet should be added in rabbit diet without adverse effect on health status.

Keywords: Turmeric, serum metabolites and growing rabbits