Processed Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) Pod Husks in Rabbits Diet: Effect on Haematological and Serum Biochemical Indices
S. A. Adeyeye *
Department of Animal Health and Production, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Nigeria
J. O. Agbede
Department of Animal Production and Health, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
V. A. Aletor
Department of Animal Production and Health, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
O. D. Oloruntola
Animal Production Unit, Department of Agricultural Technology, The Federal Polytechnic, Ado- Ekiti, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of processed Cocoa pod husk on haematological and biochemical indices of rabbits.
Study Design: Completely Randomized Design.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was carried out between February and April 2016 at the Teaching and Research Farm, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Nigeria. The experimental site lies about 7°25’ north and 5°19’ east. The average annual temperature and rainfall is 25.3°C and 1455 mm, respectively.
Methodology: Four diets were formulated in which processed cocoa pod husk (PCPH) was included in rabbits’ diets at 0, 10, 20 and 30% and designated as diets 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. One hundred and twenty, 35-day old rabbits of cross-breeds (New-Zealand white X Chinchilla) of equal sexes and average body weight 523.9±43 g were randomly allotted to the 4 dietary treatments (30 rabbits/treatment; 3 rabbits/replicate). On day 56, blood samples were collected from selected rabbits (20 rabbits/treatment) into plain bottles and potassium EDTA bottles for serum biochemical and haematological studies respectively.
Results: Haemoglobin concentration improved (P<0.05) with increased inclusion of PCPH up to 20% level but declined (P<0.05) at 30% dietary level. The red blood cells count and mean cell volume of rabbits fed diets including PCPH at 10, 20 and 30% were higher than the control diet. The albumin, globulin, creatinine, bilirubin and aspertate amino transferase were stable (P>0.05) across the diets. The total protein of rabbits fed the control diet was lower (P<0.05) than those fed the rest diets containing varying levels of PCPH (diets 2, 3 and 4). Cholesterol level of the rabbits reduced (P<0.05) with increase in dietary PCPH. High density lipoprotein increased (P<0.05) at 20 and 30 % dietary PCPH; while the low density lipoprotein decreased (P<0.05) at both 20 and 30% PCPH levels.
Conclusion: Inclusion of PCPH in rabbits’ diet up-to 30% level did not affect their haematological and serum biochemical indices.
Keywords: Cocoa pod husks, agro-wastes, blood and serum indices, rabbits, processing methods