ABSTRACT

Thirty four (30 does and 4 bucks) nulliparous Dutch breed of rabbit aged 5 - 6 monftis were used to investigate the physiological and reproductive responses of does to Aspi/ia africana. The experiment was a completely randomized design comprising mixed forages without A.africana, fresh A.africana and wilted A,africana, designated as T1 (control), T2 and T3respectively. Each treatment was replicated five (5) times with two (2) does per replicate. The same concentrate diets were fed to all the does in the different treatment groups. The 4 bucks used for serving the does had the same forage as the control. The experimental diet (A. africana) was introduced to the does in T2and T3following kindling, The results of the study showed that there were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in gestation length, litter size at birth and at weaning between the treatments, Pre-weaning mordant revealed no significant (P > 0.05) differences between the treatments. Litter weight at birth showed significant (P < 0.05) differences with T1 recording the highest litter birth weight (261.50g) while T2 and T3 recorded 116.50g and 175.00g respectively. On the other hand, T2 recorded significantly higher (P< 0.05) litter weaning weight (736.30g), followed by T3(621.30g) while T1 (control) had the least litter weaning weight (410g). The weekly body weight gain of does at kindling showed significant (P < 0.05) differences from weeks 2 to 4 with does in T2 having the highest mean values, followed by T3while T1 had the lowest values. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in the body weights of does at remating. At rernating, there were significant (P < 0.05) differences in conception rates, l00% for T1 and 0% for T2 and T3. The haematology of lactating does fed A.africana was significantly (P < 0.05) different for REC; T1 (4.89 X 106/mm3), T2 (6.49 X 106/mm3), T3(6.62 X 106/mm3), Hb; T1 (10.28g1d1), T2 (14.93g1d1), T3(14.35g1d1)) and PCV; T1(31.50%), T2 (45.73%), T3(43.75%) with T2having the highest values, followed by T3 while T1 had the lowest values. The rest of the haematological parameters showed no significant differences (P > 0.05). The treated groups (T2 and T3) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) for Total serum protein; T(4.98gld!), T2(6.681d1), T3(6.48g1d1), globulin; T1 (1.l3gldl), T2(2.logldl), T3(1.93g1d1), calcium; T1(9.90mg1d1), T2 (11.80mg1d1), T3 (11.75mg1d1), than those of T1 (control), serum bicarbonate showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the different groups. On the contrary, serum urea differed significantly between the treatments. (P < 0.05), with T1 having the highest mean value (17.75mmo1/l) while T2(10.85mmo1/l) and T3 (10.63mm01/l) had lower values. The carcass characteristics of T2and T3 were significantly higher (P<0.05) in carcass weight and dressing percentage than T1. The organ weights did not show any significant (P > 0.05) differences. However, the kidney and liver weights were significantly higher forT2and T3. On the contrary, the ovarian weight was higher for T1 than T2 and T3. The significantly higher litter weaning weight, higher weight gain of both lactating does and the litter treated with A. africana indicated that A.africaria promoted growth in rabbits. This increased growth rate is suggestive of high milk yield/let-down by the does of the treated groups. On thu othur hand, the non-conception of the treated groups suggested that Aspi/ia africana may have suppressing effects on ovarian weights which in turn may affect the fertility of the animals.