ABSTRACT

Chemical composition and lactogenic potentialities of Comnwiina diffiusa and Ficus ingens were studied using twenty-four (24) nulliparous New Zealand White does. The does were mated to mature bucks and divided into four (4) treatment groups of six per treatment. Each treatment was replicated three times, two does constituting a replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). Treatment one (TI) (control) was constituted by a concentrdte- only diet. Treatment two (T2) comprised of control and Coinnielina dif/i.tsa (leaves and stems). Trcament three (T3) was made up of control plus Ficus ingest (leaves), while control and mixed forages constituted T4.Weight gain among gestating does was higher (P<0,05) in T4 (225g) than the rest at eek I,At week 3, weight gain in TI (l4lX7g) and I'4 (158.33g) were statistically the same, but different (P<0.05) from T2 and T4. Litter weights at weeks I and 4 were higher (P<0.05) in T4 than the rest, excluding T2 at week 4. T3 effected lower (P<0.05) weight gain than T2 at weeks 1 and 3; T4 at week 3 and the control at week 4. 1-Iighcst numerical weight gains (0.78kg, 0.72kg and 1 .1 8kg), at the respective specific ages were obtained in T2. Litters in T3 gained lower (P<0.05) weights (0.42kg, 0.32kg, 0.63kg) than others for the specific ages. No variation (P>0.05) was recorded in milk yield (4.67kg, 3.38kg, 3.64kg, 4.20kg). The control diet effected higher (P<0.05) serum total protein (8.73g/dl) than the test diets; whereas the lowest (P<0.05) was got in T3 (7.27g/dl). Albumin and creatinine were the same for TI (3.83g/dl and I .00mg/di); and T2 (4.03g/dl and 0.93mg/dl) respectively, and were higher (P<0.05) than those record(lCCl in T4 (3.23 g/dl and 0.77mg/di), which were higher (P<0.05) than values (2.80g/dl and 0.63mg/di) in T3. Blood urea was lower (P<0.05) in T3 (41.00nig/dl) than TI (48.33mg/di) and T4 (46.33mg/di), which were in turn lower (P<0.05) than T2 (51 .67mg/dl).Globulin in Ti (4.90g/dl) and T4 (5.30g/dl) were not different; both were higher (P<0.05) than 3.77g/dl in T2. TI and T3 (4.47g/dl) were not different. Mixed forages contained lower (P<0.05) moisture (74.2%) than C.diffusa (85.50%) and F. ingens (74.55%). but was richest (P<0.05) in ash (235%), CP (8.76%) and CF (6.05%). '. diffusa had lower (P<0.05) ash (1.30%), CP (2.19%) and CF (1.30%) than the rest. Ether extract was higher (P<0.05) in C. difflisa (0.40%) than both F. ingens and mixed forages While F. ingens contained the highest (P<0.05) NFE (13.27%), the lowest (P<0.05) was got in mixed forages (8.49%). C. di/Tusa had lowcr(P<0.05) percentage K(0.06), Ca(0.I3),Mg (0.28)and CF (0.30) and P(0.lomg/I00g) than F. ingens (0.08,0.62,0.38,0.70 and 0.l3mg/lOOg) and mixed ioragcs(0.07,0.52O.S7O.6G and 0.. 16mg/I oOg). F. ingens had the highest (<0.05) quantity of K, Ca and C1 whereas the highest (P<0.05) P and Mg were recorded in mixed forages. C. difluesa contained lower (P<0.05)l.annin(l .57mg/lOOg) , oxalate (5.60%)and trypsin inhibitors (90.00Tiu)than F. ingens (3.35mg/i Oog,7.00%,244.00TiU) and mixed forages(l .91 mg/i 00g,4.00%,i 04.00Tiu) respectively. Highest (P<0.05) values for tannin and [rypsin inhibitors were both obtained in F. ingens. 1-lighest (P<0.05) phytate was got in C. di/jii.ra(3.I6mg/100g) ,whilc the lowest (P<0.05) was obtained in F. ingen.s (2.73mg/100g).Same (P>0.05) saponin contents were recorded in C. c/i//lisa (0.52mg/lOOmi) and Fingens(0.51/lOOml) and were higher(P<O.05) than that of mixed forages(0.25 mg/i 00m1). Comedian diffuse and Ficusingens had appreciable impact on milk yield and milk yield components (litter size and litter weight gain). They are therefore, recommended for inclusion in forage combinations for feeding rabbits and other herbivores.