Serum Biochemistry, Lipid Profile and Serum Antioxidant Indices of Rabbit Does Fed Dietary Supplementation of Dried Dates (Phoenix dactylifera) Fruit Meal
Tom, E. E. *
Department of Animal Science, faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Solomon, I. P.
Department of Animal Science, faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Istifanus, E. F.
Department of Animal Science, faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Enyenihi, G. E.
Department of Animal Science, faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Ebe, A. I.
Department of Animal Science, faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Antioxidants exert a wide range of beneficial effects, contributing to the prevention of disease onset. This study assessed the impact of dietary supplementation with dried date fruit meal (DDFM) on serum biochemical indices, lipid profile, and antioxidant status in Rabbit Does. A total of thirty-six female growing rabbits (8–10 weeks old) were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments containing DDFM at 0.00% (control), 0.50%, 1.00%, and 1.50%, respectively. The experiment followed a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replicates per treatment and lasted for 24 weeks. Serum biochemical parameters, lipid profile, and antioxidant indices were analyzed post-experiment using standard laboratory procedures. Results revealed that total protein, albumin, and globulin concentrations were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the control group (T1) and declined with increased DDFM inclusion. However, urea, glucose, and liver enzyme activities (AST, ALT, and ALP) remained unaffected. Total protein levels were highest in T1 (76.50 g/dL) and significantly higher compared to T2 (70.50 g/dL), T3 (54.50 g/dL), and T4 (57.00 g/dL). Lipid profile analysis indicated significant reductions in total cholesterol and LDL levels in treatments receiving 1.00% and 1.50% DDFM, suggesting improved lipid metabolism. The lowest LDL value was found in T4 (0.80 g/dL), which was significantly lower than the other treatments, which had comparable values: T1 (1.25 g/dL), T2 (1.50 g/dL), and T3 (1.50 g/dL). Antioxidant indices, including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH), exhibited significant increases in higher DDFM treatments, indicating enhanced oxidative defense. GSH concentrations were highest in T4 (18.52 µg/mL) and T3 (18.38 µg/mL), followed by T2 (17.22 µg/mL), and the lowest value in T1 (16.78 µg/mL). These findings suggest that while DDFM inclusion at 1.00% DDFM may reduce serum protein indices, it enhances antioxidant status and improves lipid metabolism, making it a potentially beneficial feed additive for rabbit production.
Keywords: Dried date fruit, serum biochemistry, lipid profile, antioxidant indices, rabbit does