Processed Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) Pod Husks in Rabbits Diet: Effect on Haematological and Serum Biochemical Indices

Aims: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of processed Cocoa pod husk on haematological and biochemical indices of rabbits.

Study Design: Completely Randomized Design.

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was carried out between February and April 2016 at the Teaching and Research Farm, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Nigeria. The experimental site lies about 7°25’ north and 5°19’ east. The average annual temperature and rainfall is 25.3°C and 1455 mm, respectively.

Methodology: Four diets were formulated in which processed cocoa pod husk (PCPH) was included in rabbits’ diets at 0, 10, 20 and 30% and designated as diets 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. One hundred and twenty, 35-day old rabbits of cross-breeds (New-Zealand white X Chinchilla) of equal sexes and average body weight 523.9±43 g were randomly allotted to the 4 dietary treatments (30 rabbits/treatment; 3 rabbits/replicate). On day 56, blood samples were collected from selected rabbits (20 rabbits/treatment) into plain bottles and potassium EDTA bottles for serum biochemical and haematological studies respectively.

Results: Haemoglobin concentration improved (P<0.05) with increased inclusion of PCPH up to 20% level but declined (P<0.05) at 30% dietary level. The red blood cells count and mean cell volume of rabbits fed diets including PCPH at 10, 20 and 30% were higher than the control diet. The albumin, globulin, creatinine, bilirubin and aspertate amino transferase were stable (P>0.05) across the diets. The total protein of rabbits fed the control diet was lower (P<0.05) than those fed the rest diets containing varying levels of PCPH (diets 2, 3 and 4). Cholesterol level of the rabbits reduced (P<0.05) with increase in dietary PCPH. High density lipoprotein increased (P<0.05) at 20 and 30 % dietary PCPH; while the low density lipoprotein decreased (P<0.05) at both 20 and 30% PCPH levels.

Conclusion: Inclusion of PCPH in rabbits’ diet up-to 30% level did not affect their haematological and serum biochemical indices.