The effect of Kapok (Ceiba pentandra) [Linn] [Gaetrn] seed meal on Performance, gut morphology and haematology of male rabbits

Abstract

Twenty grower rabbit bucks of mixed breeds were used in the evaluation of the effects of Kapok seed meal on performance, gut morphology and the haematology of male rabbita to ascertain its suitability as a protein source for rabbits in general and breeding bucks in particular. Five bucks each were randomly assigned to each of 4 isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets conatining decorticated Kapok seed meal at 0, 10, 15 and 20% levels. After 8 weeks of ad libitum feeding, the result showed that dietary treatment had no significant effect (P>0.05) on performance. With regard to GIT morphology, treatments significantly affected the absolute and relative weights of the stomach (P<0.05), while other parameters were unaffected (P>0.05) by treatment. The haematology of the animals showed significantly higher (P<0.05)Hb and haematocrit values in the animals in the control diet than those on the KSM diets which were all similar (P>0.05) to each other. Erythrocyte count in the control diet was significantly higher(P<0.05) than in the respective KSM diets while leukocyte count was unaffected by treatment (P>0.05). the differential count showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in eosinophils in the diet with the highest level of KSM over the diets which were similar to each other (P>0.05). Blood constants were unaffected by treatment (P>0.05). All haematological values were within normal ranges. It is concluded from these results that Kapok seed meal as a protein source will support growth, performance and other physiological processes in raabbit bucks.