Abstract

Twenty four weaner rabbits of 6 - 8 weeks of age and averaging 550 g in weight were divided into four groups of six (6) rabbits per group and used in a 60 - day feeding trial for blood chemistry and haematological studies. The rabbits were fed raw or processed pigeon pea seed based diets in a Completely Randomized Design. Diet A contained raw (control), Diet B boiled, Diet C toasted and Diet D soaked pigeon pea seed meal (PSM) incorporated at 20% level in weaner rations. The haematological parameters investigated were haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil (N), lymphocyte (L) and eosinophil (E), while the biochemical components were urea, serum creatinine, bilirubin (total and conjugated), total protein, globulin, serum glutamic transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamic oxalo acetic transaminase (SGOT). Results showed that white blood cells, lymphocytes, globulin and PCV values were influenced (P<0.05) by dietary treatments among the experimental groups. The values were 6.30, 6.03, 6.0, 6.80 (x 10³) WBC; 17.0, 33.0, 36.6, 33.0 (%) lymphocytes; 2.70, 1.10, 1.76, 1.26 (md/l) globulin and 15.3, 19.6, 24.6, 25.3 (%) PVC, for diets A, B, C, and D, respectively. Haemoglobin, neutrophil and eosinophil values were nevertheless similar (P>0.05) for all groups. Not affected (P>0.05) by diets were blood urea, creatinine, bilirubin, total protein, SGOT and SGPT concentrations.  Most haematological and biochemical values obtained were out of normal range for rabbits. Raw or processed pigeon pea did not support remarkable changes in haematological and biochemical profile for weaner rabbits at 20% dietary level of inclusion.

Key words: Haematological, biochemical, blood profile, weaner rabbit, pigeon pea.