1. health and fitness
2. disease
3. cholesterol

Proceedings of The Inter-Disciplinary Academic Conference on Uncommon Development Vol. 4 No.1
January, 15-16 2015 – University of Jos Multi-purpose Hall, Main Campus, Jos, Plateau State
www.hummingpub.com
EFFECT OF WHOLE CASSAVA MEAL ON HAEMATOLOGY AND SERUM
BIOCHEMICAL INDICES OF GROWING RABBIT IN MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE
OF NIGERIA
A.A.Makinta1, Jibrin ,T.A1.A.A.Benisheikh1, M.A Marte1 and M.B,Malah2
1
Department of Animal Production Technology, Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri,Borno State,
Nigeria, 2Department of Animal Production Technology, Mohamet Lawan College of
Agriculture, Maiduguri.
ABSTRACT
An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing maize meal with whole cassava
meal on haematological and blood chemistry of growing rabbits. Twenty four (24) weaned
rabbits of heterogeneous breeds and sexes, aged between 5-6 weeks with average live weight of
425.14 were used for this study. The rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (caged
housed) consisting of six rabbits per group and assigned to the dietary treatment in a complete
randomized design (CRD). The rabbits were fed with diets containing 0, 10, 20 and 30% whole
cassava meal in the diets as T1 (control), T2, T3 and T4 respectively and clean water was supplied
ad-libitum throughout the experimental period of eight weeks. At the end of the feeding trial,
Blood samples were collected from three rabbits via the ear vein for haematological and
biochemical analysis. The result of the experiment showed significant differences (p<0.05)
amongst treatments for red blood cell (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean
corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) but there were no significant difference (p>0.05) on packed
cell volume (PCV), white blood cell WBC), haemoglobin (Hb),and mean corpuscular
haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). The result also revealed no significant differences (p>0.05)
for serum biochemical indices amongst all treatments. Most haematological and biochemical
values obtained in this study were within the normal range for growing rabbits. Based on this
result, growing rabbits could tolerate up to 30% whole cassava meal without any adverse effect
on haematological and biochemical profile of growing rabbits.
Keywords; Cassava, Meal Rabbit heamatology biochemical
Introduction
Dietary protein of animal origin is in short supply and the available sources are too expensive for
an average Nigerian family. Rabbit meat is rich in protein compared to other meat, it contain low
cholesterol and higher proportion of essential poly unsaturated fatty acids. The task of providing
adequate nutrition has hindered the effort at increased rabbit production due mainly to high cost
of conventional feed ingredients, therefore search for alternative feed sources that are readily
available, cheap, safe and rarely edible by man as opposed to conventional ones (Ukachukwu and
Anugwa 2005). Cassava is used as substitute for maize in livestock feed, mainly for dairy cattle
and beef cattle, goat, pig, chicken and rabbits. Cassava product have for long been used as major
energy source, in place of cereals grains for livestock. This strategy could help in reducing the
cost of production, and ensure cheaper meat production there by making available the major
crops for human consumption. The economization of feed cost using cheaper and unconventional
feed resources (Vasantha Kumar et al.,2005) is an important aspect of commercial rabbit
production.
Proceedings of The Inter-Disciplinary Academic Conference on Uncommon Development Vol. 4 No.1
January, 15-16 2015 – University of Jos Multi-purpose Hall, Main Campus, Jos, Plateau State
www.hummingpub.com
Cassava (Manihot utilissama) is one of the most productive tropical crops that has been
widely recognized as a cheap caloric source (Tewe and Egbunike,1988). The peel obtained is
about 10-20% of the root and is available all year round in Nigeria with an annual yield of
approximately 4 million metric tons during the processing of cassava roots (Alaku,1983). The
utilization of cassava and by-products in livestock feeding would therefore help to solve the
problem of its disposal as a waste product and also to reduce the cost of livestock production.
Some limitations are associated with the utilization of cassava and its by-products by farm
animals; one of such is the presence of hydrocyanic acid (HCN). HCN is responsible for chronic
toxicity when inadequately processed cassava are consumed by humans and livestock for
prolonged periods. Therefore processing procedures must aimed at reducing the cyanide level.
This experiment was therefore to evaluate the effect of cassava on the haematological and
biochemical indices of growing rabbits.
Materials and Methods
The study was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of Ramat Polytechnic,
Department of Animal production and Technology, Maiduguri, Borno state of Nigeria from
February to April 2014. Maiduguri is located between latitude 1105” and 120 north and longitude
130 05” and 140 east and on an altitude of 354m above sea level (Ugherughe and Ekedolom,
1986). Cassava was purchased from Alau-dam (irrigation farm), konduga local government area
of Borno state. The experimental stock were obtained from some individual rabbit keepers in
Maiduguri. .Cassava roots, leaves and rejected stems (not fit for use as planting materials) were
collected. The leaves were air dried in shade under a shade until they were crispy to touch while
retaining their greenish colouration. The stems also were chopped with knife and sun-dried before
milling. The unpeeled cassava roots were washed with water, chopped with knife and bagged and
pressed for 24 hours and then sundried on concrete floor. The dried chopped cassava roots, stems
and leaves were milled differently in a milling machine. The milled cassava roots were mixed
with milled stems and leaves at a ratio of 5:2:2. This mixture is known as whole cassava meal
(WCM).
Twenty four (24) rabbits of mixed breeds and sexes were used for the experiment. The rabbits
were between 5-6 weeks of age and weighing between 423.33 and 428.33. Six rabbits were
selected randomly and assigned to four treatments in a completely randomized design with three
replicates per treatment. The study lasted for eight week (8). Four (4) diets were compounded for
the experiment. The ingredients used for formulating the diets (Table 1) include ground maize,
whole cassava meal, wheat offal, groundnut haulm, groundnut cake, fish meal, bone meal, blood
meal, premix and common salt. The whole cassava meal replaced maize (ground maize) at the
level of 0, 10, 20 and 30% inclusion. The whole cassava meal replaced maize weight for weight.
At the end of the trial period, the animals were starved for 24 hours before blood samples were
collected from three rabbits in each treatment for haematological and biochemical indices.The
blood samples were collected from each rabbit via the ear vein the next morning using a sterilized
disposable 5ml syringe and needle, and then placed into two sets of bottles. One set contained
diapotassium salts of ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and the samples were used for
haematological study; while the other set were plain bottles and the samples were used for
biochemical studies. Packed cell volume (PCV), White blood cell (WBC) and Red blood cell
(RBC) were analysed according to methods outlined by (Bush, 1975), Mean corpuscular volume
(MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular
concentration (MCH) were calculated by the formula of (Schalm et at.,1985). The Serum
Proceedings of The Inter-Disciplinary Academic Conference on Uncommon Development Vol. 4 No.1
January, 15-16 2015 – University of Jos Multi-purpose Hall, Main Campus, Jos, Plateau State
www.hummingpub.com
biochemical indices analysed were total protein, albumin, cholesterol, glucose urea, calcium and
phosphorus according the methods outlined by (Bush,1975 and WHO, 2003).
All the data collected were subjected to analyses of variance using (Statistix, 2003) and where
means differed ; they were separated using the least significant difference (LSD).
Results and Discussion
The results of the haematological indices are presented in Table (2). The PCV values (37
to 39.00%) were within the range of 33 to 50% reported by Hillyer (1994) for growing rabbits.
The values obtained for all treatment groups indicate nutritional adequacy of all the diets since
values did not indicate mal or under nutrition (Church et al., 1984). The Hb concentration
compared favourably with the values of 9.4 to 17.4g/dl reported by Fudge (1999). Njidda et
al.,(2006). Animal given T4 had the highest Hb and PCV concentration though it was within the
normal range. Hackbath et al., (1983) recorded a strong influence of diet on haematological
traits, PCV and Hb being very strong indicators of nutritional status of animals.
Red blood cell (RBC) counts showed significant differences (p<0.05) among treatments.
The value 4.10 to 6.70×106/mm3 were within the range of 3.07 t0 7.50×106/mm3 reported by
Fudge (1999) but lower than 5 - 8×106/mm3 reported by Anon (1980). (Hackbath et al., 1983)
reported that increased in RBC values were associated with high quality dietary protein and with
disease-free animals. These observations were related to the composition of the diet and the
health status of the rabbits since no rabbit died as a result of any disease.
The value of White blood cell (WBC) counts also showed no significant differences
(p>0.05) among the treatments. The WBC counts which ranged from 3.30 to 6.70×103/mm3 were
close to the ranged of 4.00 to 7.20×103/mm3 reported by Njidda and Hambagda (2006) for
growing rabbits in semi-arid area. The results indicated that the animals remained healthy because
decrease in number of WBC below the normal range is an indication of allergic conditions,
anaphylactic shock and certain parasitism or indicate the existence of a recent infection usually
with bacteria (Ahameful et al., 2008) none of these was observed in this study.
The MCH, MCV and MCHC values were within range of 50 to 75µm 18 to 24pg and 31
to 34% respectively as reported by Burke (1994), Fudge (1999) and Gillette (1996). Johnsondelaney (1996) explained that the MCV and MCH values could reflect anaemic condition and the
capacity of the bone marrow to produce RBC of normal size and metabolic capacity. However
MCHC is very significant in the diagnosis of anaemia. There was adverse effect of whole cassava
meal inclusion on RBC up to 30% since all the RBC values were within normal range. The higher
value of MCV (92.68fl) and MCH (30.24pg) observed on T 3 however may not pose a serious
problem since PCV, RBC, WBC, Hb and MCHC in all the treatments were within the normal
range for healthy rabbits (Anon 1980), Njidda and Hambagda (2004) mentioned PCV, Hb and
MCHC as the most dependable blood indices for assessing the health status of animal.
Serum biochemical indices valuess are presented in Table 3. The Albumin and Total Protein
values showed no significant differences (p>0.05) among treatments and the values are within the
normal range of 2.50 to 4.00g/dl and 4.80 to 5.40g/dl) were within the normal range reported by
Anon (1980). Total protein and albumin are generally influence by total protein intake (Onifade
and Tewe 1993). The values obtained in this study indicate nutritional adequacy of the dietary
proteins for rabbits. Abnormal serum albumin usually indicates an alteration of normal systemic
protein utilization (Apata 1990).
Proceedings of The Inter-Disciplinary Academic Conference on Uncommon Development Vol. 4 No.1
January, 15-16 2015 – University of Jos Multi-purpose Hall, Main Campus, Jos, Plateau State
www.hummingpub.com
The values for blood glucose and cholesterol recorded in this study range from 7.40 to
8.80mmol/l and 2.60 to 5.01mmol/l respectively. Both glucose and cholesterol levels were no
significant different (p>0.05) among treatments. The blood glucose was within the range of 4.2 to
8.90mmol/l reported by Fudge (1999) since glucose and cholesterol levels were within the normal
range, possibilities of anorexia, diabetes, liver dysfunction and mal-absorption of fat which are
the symptoms of abnormal glucose and cholesterol levels in the blood (Bush 1991) are ruled out.
The calcium and phosphorus values range from 2.70 to -80g/dl and 1.63 to 1.71g/dl
respectively. Both calcium and phosphorus levels also there were no significant different
(p>0.05) among treatments. The calcium was within the range of 2.40 to 3.40g/dl reported by
Njidda et al., (2006). Since both calcium and phosphorus levels were within the normal range,
indicate that the dietary calcium and phosphorus were adequate for bone formation and other
physiological function.
The blood urea values were within the range of 2.50 to 5.80mmol/l reported by Njidda
and Hambagda (2006) who fed sesame seed meal to growing rabbit in tropical environment.
Decrease in blood urea may be associated with severe liver disease or protein malnutrition (Bush
1991). There was no sign of ill-health observed in the rabbits and from the result of the feed
analysis all the diet met the minimum requirements in the diets of growing rabbits.
Table 1 : chemical composition of cassava meal and experimental diet
Levels of inclusion of whole cassava meal in the diet
T1
T2
T3
T4
Constituents (%)
Cassava Meal
Dry matter (DM)
96.00
96.80
97.00
96.90
95.90
Crude protein (CP)
11.73
16.80
17.15
20.31
2.97
Crude fibre (CF)
26.00
17.00
19.00
17.00
10.00
Ether extract (EE)
2.00
3.00
3.00
4.00
1.00
Ash
2.00
3.00
2.00
3.00
1.00
Moisture content
3.10
3.20
3.00
3.10
4.10
Tanning content
_
_
_
_
0.350
60.20
58.85
55.69
85.03
2971.60
2937.30
3024.64
3166.94
Nitrogen
(NFE)
free
extract 58.27
ME (kcal/kg )**
**metabolisable energy
2635.46
Proceedings of The Inter-Disciplinary Academic Conference on Uncommon Development Vol. 4 No.1
January, 15-16 2015 – University of Jos Multi-purpose Hall, Main Campus, Jos, Plateau State
www.hummingpub.com
Table 2: haematological indices of rabbits fed graded level of whole cassava meal.
level of inclusion of whole cassava meal in the
diets
Parameter
0%
10%
20%
30%
SEM
PCV (%)
37.00
37.00
38.00
39.00
3.01NS
Hb(g/100ml)
12.30
12.40
12.40
12.50
2.01NS
WBC (×103/mm3)
3.40
6.30
3.30
4.80
0.47NS
RBC (×106/mm3)
5.30b
6.70a
4.10c
4.50c
0.23*
MCV (fl)
69.81c
55.22
92.68a
86.66b
0.57*
MCH (pg)
23.21c
18.51
30.24a
27.78ab
0.76*
MCHC (%)
33.24
33.51
32.63
32.05
0.27NS
NS=Not significant (p>0.05); a,b,c =means in the same row bearing different superscripts differ
significantly(p<0.05); PCV= packed cell volume; WBC= white blood cell; RBC= red blood cell;
MCV= mean corpuscular volume; MCH= means corpuscular haemoglobin; MCHC= mean
corpuscular; SEM= standard error of means; *=significant (p<0.05)
Table 3: serum biochemical indices in rabbits fed graded levels of whole cassava meal
level of inclusion of whole cassava meal in the diets
Parameter
0%
10%
20%
30%
SEM
Total protein(g/dl)
4.80
5.16
5.13
5.40
0.38NS
Albumin(g/dl)
3.16
3.18
3.50
3.70
0.94NS
Glucose(mmol/l)
7.90
8.80
7.40
7.40
1.67NS
Cholesterol(mmol/l)
2.60
5.01
2.71
3.20
0.80NS
Blood urea(mmol/l)
5.43
4.41
4.53
4.73
1.34NS
Calcium(mg/dl)
2.70
2.80
2.70
2.70
0.47NS
Phosphorus(mg/dl)
1.71
1.51
1.71
1.63
0.94NS
SEM= standard error of mean; NS= not significant (p>0.05)
REFERENCES
Proceedings of The Inter-Disciplinary Academic Conference on Uncommon Development Vol. 4 No.1
January, 15-16 2015 – University of Jos Multi-purpose Hall, Main Campus, Jos, Plateau State
Ahamefule
www.hummingpub.com
F.O, B. E Obua, I A, Ukweni, M A Oguike and R A Amaka, (2008).
Haematological and biochemical profile of weaner rabbits fed raw or processed
pigeon pea seed meal based diets. African J Agri Res 3(4): 315-319.
Alaku, S.O. (1983). Body and carcass losses in goats during the advance period of west Africa
sahelian dry season. World Rev. Anim. Prod. 19:49-54 Wallingford, UK, 67-89
Anon. (1980). Guide to the Care and Use of Experimental Animals. Vol 1. Canadian Council of
Animal Care.Ontario, Canada. pp: 185–190.
Apata D.F, (1990). Biochemical, nutritional andtoxicological assessment of some tropical
legumeseeds. PhD Thesis, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Burke B, (1994). Veterinary Laboratory Manual. William Heinemann Medical Books Ltd.
London, UK, pp:148–151.
Bush,B.M. (1975 ).Veterinary Laboratory Manual, London, William Heineman Medical Books
Ltd.447p
Bush B.M (1991). Interpretation of laboratory Results for small Animal Clinicians. Blackwell
Scientific publications, UK PP 32-65.
Church J. P Juddi J. T. Young C.W. Kebay T.L and Kim W.W (1984).Relationship among
dietary constituents and specific serum Clinical components of subject’s eating self
selected diets Amin J.Clin Nulr 40: 1338- 1344..
Fudge C. S, (1999). Laboratory Medicine: Avian and ExoticPets. WB Saunders,Philadelphia,
USA.
HackBath H. Buron K. and schimansley G. (1983): Strain difference’s in in bred rat Influence of
strain and diet on haematological traits. Lab Anim, 17: 7–12.
Hahn, S.K. and Keyser, (1985). Cassava: A basic food in Africa. Outlook on Agriculture. 4: 95100.
Hillyer EV, (1994). Pet Rabbits. The Veterinary Clinics of North America, Small Animal
Practice, 24(1): 25–65.
Johnson-Delaney, C. A. (1996). Exotic companion medicine handbook for veterinarians. Winger,
Lake worth florida. Pp 11-16.
Njidda A. A and Igwebuike, J. U and Isidahomeh, C. E (2004). Haematological parameters ans
carcass characteristics of weanling rabbits fed graded levels of molasses. Global J. agric.
Sci. 5(2): 167-172
Njidda A.A and Hambagda A.A (2006). Studies on the haemmatological parameters and carcass
characteristics of weanling rabbits fed sesame seed meal in the semi arid region of
Nigeria . Nig. J. Exptl. Appl. Boil.8(1): 81-88.
.Onifade A.A and Tewe,O.O (1993). Alternative tropical energy feed performance in rabbit diets:
growth performance, diets digestibility and blood composition. World Rabbits Sci,
1:17–24.
Schalm O W. Jain N.C and Carral EJ (1975): Veterinary hematology 3rd edition lea and Febiga
Philadelphia USA PP 220
Statistix. (2003). Statistix 8: User’s Manual. Analytical Software:www.statitix.com
Tewe, O .O. and Egbunike, G.N. (1988). Utilisation of cassava in non-ruminant livestock feeds.
Proc.
Ugherughe, P.O. and Ekedolum, P.A. (1986). Pasture and Rangland potentials. Annals of Borno.
3: 179-192.
Ukachukwu S. N. and Anugwa F.O.I (2005). Bioeconomics of feeding raw or heat treated soya
beans to broilers. Nig. J. anim. Prod. 22(2): 137-140
Vasanthakumar, P., Sharma, K., Sastry, V.R.B. and Kumar, R. (2005). Effect of graded levels of
neem (Azadirachta inidica) seed kernel cake on carcass characteristics of growing
rabbits. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Science, 12: 1246-1250.
Proceedings of The Inter-Disciplinary Academic Conference on Uncommon Development Vol. 4 No.1
January, 15-16 2015 – University of Jos Multi-purpose Hall, Main Campus, Jos, Plateau State
www.hummingpub.com
World Health Organisation (WHO).(2003). Manual for Basic Techniques for Health
Laboratory.(2nd Ed.)Geneva, Switzerland.384p.