Authors : A.B. Idowu, O.D. Babalola and K.O. Ademolu
Abstract: The impact of using Albizia saman in a whole and supplementary feeding of laboratory rats (Sprague Dawley) was investigated in a twelve week experiment. In the first trial, whole pods were presented to the animals, while in the second trial five supplementary diets were formulated using A.saman at 0, 15, 20, 25 and 30% supplementation. Upon presentation of the plant materials, there was a rapid response and movement of the rats towards the pods of A.saman either as a whole feed or supplementary feed. Despite the fact that the pods were well received and consumed, it did not support the growth and development of the rats. When presented as supplement, there was a good consumption of the feed with a corresponding good growth rate with group C (25%) having the highest consumption rate while Group A (0%) recorded the least. There was a steady weight increase in rats given supplementary feeds; Group D had the highest weight gain while Group A had the lowest. Hematological analysis showed Group B having the highest values for PCV, Hb and RBC and low at 25 and 30%. Total protein, albumin and cholesterol values were highest in Group D and lowest in Group E. There were no significant differences in the values of serum enzymes (ASP, ALT and AP), serum electrolyte concentration and proximate analysis of the experimental rats feed with the different supplementary diets. The result of this study has shown that although the pods of A. saman either as raw or milled were well received by the albino rats, it may not be suitable as whole feed except when combined with other feed materials. The pod is best at 15-25% level of supplement, optimizing at 25%.
Idowu, A.B. , O.D. Babalola and K.O. Ademolu , 2006. The Physiological Impact on the Consumption of Albizia saman Pods by Albino Rats. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 5: 585-589.