title: Effect of Sweet Orange Fruit Waste Diets and Acidifier on Haematology and Serum Chemistry of Weanling Rabbits.
abstract: A total of thirty-five mixed breed (35) rabbits of average weight of 700 g aged 5-6 weeks were allocated to seven treatments in a completely randomised design to investigate the effect of sweet orange fruit waste (SOFW) and acidomix acidifier on haematology and serum chemistry. The diets were 0% SOFW, 10% SOFW with 0.5% acidomix, 10% SOFW with 0.7 acidomix, 15% SOFW with 0.5% acidifier, 15% SOFW with 0.7% acidifier, 20% SOFW with 0.5% acidifier, and 20% SOFW with 0.7% acidifier. Blood samples were analyzed for haemoglobin (hb) concentration, white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), differential WBC count (lymphocyte, basophil, eosinophil, monocyte, and neutrophil), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate amino transferase (AST), total protein, albumin, and globulin. There was no interaction between SOFW and acidifier for the haematological and most of the serum chemistry parameters but significant difference was observed in ALT; however the values were within the normal range. SOFW had no significant effect on all haematological and serum chemistry parameters. Acidomix had significant effect (P < 0.05) on haemoglobin concentration; rabbits fed 0.5% acidomix diets had higher values which were within the normal range. It is therefore concluded that SOFW with acidifier up to 20% had no detrimental effect on serum chemistry and haematology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 810107, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oluremi Martha
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Daudu
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 810107, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Rahamatu Usman
authors.initials: RU
authors.lastname: Sani
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 810107, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Iyetunde Ifeyori
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: Adedibu
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University Wukari, 641111, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Lawrence Anebi
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Ademu
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 810107, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Gideon Shaibu
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Bawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 810107, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Taiye Sunday
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Olugbemi