title: Evaluation of the effects of the powder of Capsicum frutescens on glycemia in growing rabbits.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study aims to evaluate zootechnic parameters and blood sugar in rabbits submitted to diets containing different levels of pepper (Capsicum frutescens).
  
  
  METHODS
  To this end, 30 rabbits weighing on average 1252±35 g at the beginning of the experiment were subjected to five rations with three repetitions for 56 days: The food R0 (or control) which is floury provender contains 0% of C. frutescens; R5, R10, R15, and R20 provender containing, respectively, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% of C. frutescens fruits' powder. Rabbits consumed on average from 75.47 to 80.97 g dry matter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Digestibility ranged from 52.39% to 61.01%. The average daily gain and feed consumption index were similar for all diets. Blood glucose was amended by the various servings is 0.98 g/L and 0.88 g/L, respectively, for doses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It appears from this study that rabbits consumed well diets containing C. frutescens. However, C. frutescens' effect on the growth performances of rabbits is not noticeable. Furthers experiments will be useful to evaluate C. frutescens' mechanism of action on blood sugar.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Research in Applied Biology, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 2009 Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
authors.forename: Tossou Jacques
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Dougnon
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sciences, University of Lomé (Togo), BP 1515, Lomé, Togo.
authors.forename: Messanvi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gbeassor
keywords: Capsicum frutescens; blood sugar; consumption index; rabbit