Evaluation of Use of Sisal By-Products as Growth Promoter Feed for Rabbits

Abstract

Forty  eight  (48)  adult  female  rabbits  were  randomly   assigned on the basis  of diet into   4  groups,   that  is,  Group   A  on   control   diet,   B  on   non-treated  sisal   leaf   waste, C  on  ensilaged  sisal  leaf  waste  and   Group   D  on   hecogenin (sapogenin)   extracted sisal leaf waste. In order to evaluate  suitability  of  these  diets  as  growth  promoters rabbits   were   fed   on  the   respective   diet   for  30   weeks.   Blood   was collected weekly and parameters namely Red Blood Cells, Haemoglobin, Packed Cell  Volume, Differential  Leucocyte Counts, Total protein, Glucose  and Minerals  were determined. At 31 weeks, rabbits were killed and organs (uterus, ovary, fallopian tube) were removed and stored at 20°C. The uterus/fallopian tubes were flushed with normal saline and flushing determined for mineral content. The results showed that untreated sisal leaf waste caused a marked decrease in Red Blood Cells, protein concentration and zinc content in blood. Mineral content in flushings declined with prolonged feeding.  Body weights declined in Group B and C, but increased in A and D. Since Group A was on control diet and D on diet with reduced amounts  or hecogenin, findings of this study indicated that reduced hecogenin content  could provide some growth promoting effects. It is concluded that feeding untreated sisal leaf waste is detrimental in rabbits.  However, these effects are ameliorated by extraction of sisal leaf waste hecogenin