Ukar IA^1,2*, Ifenkwe DC³, Ezea J², Herbert U² and Oguike MA²

¹Advanced Space Technology Applications Laboratory, National Space Research and Development Agency, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, State, Nigeria
²Department of Animal Breeding and Physiology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria
³College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author: Ukar IA, Advanced Space Technology Applications Laboratory, National Space Research and Development Agency, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, State, Nigeria.

Received: March 23, 2023; Published: April 27, 2023

Abstract

Thirty-six (36) nulliparous mixed-breed rabbit does, aged, 5-6 months were subjected to a scientific study to determine the effects of methanolic extracts of a medicinal plant, king of bitter (Andrographis paniculata) on the haematology and serum biochemical profile of rabbits does. The rabbits were randomly selected and assigned into four (4) treatment groups designated as T1, T2, T3 and T4 in a completely randomized design Each treatment comprised nine (9) animals. The treatments were replicated 3 times with 3 animals per replicate. 1g of dried methanolic extract of A. paniculata was reconstituted in 100ml of distilled water to form a liquid suspension which was administered orally to the rabbit; early in the morning using a sterile syringe for a period of 8weeks, at the rates of 0.0mg/kg, 125mg/kg, 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg respectively for T1, T2, T3 and T4, with T1 being the control experiment. Blood samples were collected from 6 animals per treatment group (a total of twenty-four rabbits) selected randomly across each replicate, at the onset of the experiment for basal studies. Subsequently, samples were collected fortnightly at week 4, 6, and 8, of administration of the extract for haematological and serum biochemical analysis. Data obtained were subjected to Analysis of variance; significant means were separated using Duncan’s multiple range test. The results obtained at the end of the study showed significant differences (P <0.05) in some of the blood parameters evaluated. RBC count increase significantly (P < 0.05), with increase in administration rate of the A. paniculata extract. There was however a decline in Hb, MCH and MCHC values. PCV, WBC, platelets and Lymphocyte counts were observed to be statistically similar. Serum glucose levels decreased significant with increase in consumption rate of the extract. An increase in Serum albumin, globulin and Total protein was recorded. Higher values were recorded in T2 and T3 for Alanine Transaminase while Aspartate Transaminase values tended to decline. It is concluded from this study that methanolic extracts of A. paniculata had significant influence on blood parameters of domestic rabbit.

Keywords: Extracts; Nulliparous; Rabbits; Does; Treatments; Haematology

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Citation

Citation: Ukar IA., et al. “Haematology and Serum Biochemistry of Rabbit does Administered Methanolic Extracts of Andrographis paniculata". Acta Scientific Veterinary Sciences 5.5 (2023): 53-58.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2023 Ukar IA., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.