Blood and carcass characteristics of grower rabbits fed diets containing pawpaw (Carica papaya L.) leaf protein concentrate.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of partial replacement of soybean meal with pawpaw (Carica papaya L.) leaf protein concentrate on blood and carcass characteristics of grower rabbits in Benin City, Nigeria. Five dietary treatments were formulated such that soybean meal was replaced at 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60% with pawpaw leaf protein concentrate (PLPC) on weight-for-weight basis. Twenty-five composite grower rabbits of mixed sex and approximately seven weeks of age (736 ± 90 g) were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments of five replicates in a completely randomized design. Feed and water were provided ad libitum for 12 weeks of feeding experiment. Data obtained from the study showed that white blood cells (WBC) was significantly (p < 0.05) increased by 60% PLPC inclusion. Pack cell volume (PCV), red blood cells (RBC), and haemoglobin concentration (Hgb) were not significantly (p > 0.05) affected by PLPC inclusion in the rabbit diets. However, PCV (28.90-37.43%), WBC (3.67-9.4 103/μL), and RBC (4.36-5.22 106/μL) were within the normal physiological range. Glucose and total protein concentration were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced and increased, respectively by 15% PLPC inclusion but did not follow any particular trend for higher replacement levels. Carcass measurements indicated that dressing percentage and heart, kidney, and liver weights were not significantly (p > 0.05) affected by dietary treatments. Caecum length was significantly increased (p < 0.05) by 60% PLPC inclusion. In conclusion, PLPC can be used to partially replace soybean meal without causing any adverse effect on blood and carcass characteristics of grower rabbits.