HAEMATOLOGY, SERUM BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSES AND LIPID PROFILE OF RABBIT DOES FED DIETARY SUPPLEMENTAL LEVELS OF TURMERIC (Curcuma longer) RHIZOME MEAL

This study was undertaken to examine the haematological characteristics, serum biochemical indices, and lipid profile responses of rabbit does following dietary supplementation with turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizome meal. A total of twenty-four rabbit does were randomly distributed into four treatment groups comprising six animals each, with each group further divided into three replicates of two does per unit. The animals were raised under intensive management in wired hutches, with all necessary welfare protocols observed. Four experimental diets were prepared to include turmeric rhizome meal at 0.0%, 1.0%, 2.0%, and 3.0% inclusion levels. At the end of a 16-week feeding period, 3 ml of blood was collected from a randomly selected doe per replicate into EDTA-treated tubes for haematological analysis. Additional samples were collected for serum biochemical assays. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) under a completely randomized design (CRD) with SPSS version 21. The results indicated that turmeric supplementation significantly (p<0.05) affected packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count, haemoglobin concentration (Hb), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). PCV was highest in groups T3 and T1, with values of 39.33% and 38.00%, respectively. Significant (p<0.05) effects were also observed on serum urea, enzymes, and creatinine levels. Total protein values ranged from 64.50 to 71.50 g/dL. These findings suggest that incorporating turmeric at a 2.0% dietary level enhances haematological and biochemical profiles, thereby promoting improved health status in rabbit does.