Ogbuewu I.P., Okoro V.M., Okoli I.C., Iloeje M.U.
Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B.1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Ogbuewu, I.P., Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B.1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria; Okoro, V.M., Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B.1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria; Okoli, I.C., Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B.1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria; Iloeje, M.U., Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B.1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Linear body changes and reproductive tract morphometric characteristics of rabbit does fed graded levels of neem leaf meal (NLM) based diets for 16 weeks were investigated. Thirty-six does were divided into 4 treatment groups of 9 rabbits each and the groups were randomly assigned to the 4 treatment diets with diet 1(control) containing no NLM while diet 2, 3 and 4 contained 5%, 10% and 15% NLM respectively, in a completely randomized design experiment. The ovarian weights of does on the control group was significantly (p<0.05) lower than the other three groups. Paired oviductal weights of the group fed control diet (standard diet) were significantly (p<0.05) heavier than the groups fed 5% and 10% NLM diets, but similar (p>0.05) to the group fed 15% NLM diet. The length of uterine horn and weight of cervix of the control rabbits were significantly (p<0.05) affected by the treatment diets. The weight of whole reproductive tract of the rabbits on 0% NLM were significantly (p<0.05) lower than the groups fed 5% and 10% NLM diets, but similar (p>0.05) to the group on 15% NLM diet. All the other parameters were similar (p>0.05) among the various treatment groups. The results suggest that rabbit does could tolerate up to 15% NLM without deleterious effects on body linear parameters and reproductive tract morphometry.