EFFECTS OF SOURSOP (ANNONA MURICATA) LEAF MEAL ON ORGANS WEIGHT AND HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES OF RABBIT BUCKS
Keywords:
Annona muricata; foliage; nutrient profile; visceral parameters; male rabbits; blood characteristicsAbstract
Soursop (Annona muricata) leaves contain useful bioactive compounds and may serve as a natural, low-cost feed ingredient to support rabbit health and productivity. This study investigated the effects of Soursop (Annona muricata) leaf meal on organ weights and haematological indices of rabbit bucks. Sixty mixed-bred rabbit bucks, 20 weeks old with weight range of 1.7–2.0 kg were acclimatized for two weeks and randomly assigned into five dietary treatments containing 0, 100, 200, 300, or 400 g/kg of soursop leaf meal for 10 weeks. Each treatment consisted of 12 rabbits, divided into 3 replicates of 4 rabbits each. Organ weights and haematological indices were evaluated and data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, with means separated by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (p < 0.05). Significant differences were observed in organ weights, with the highest values for liver, kidney, lungs, heart, and testes generally recorded at 200 g/kg inclusion, indicating enhanced organ development without toxicity. Haematological parameters showed dose-dependent increases in packed cell volume, haemoglobin, and red blood cell counts, alongside decreases in white blood cell and platelet counts, suggesting improved erythropoiesis and immunomodulatory effects. These findings demonstrate that soursop leaf meal, particularly at moderate levels, can serve as a beneficial feed supplement to promote health and physiological function in rabbit bucks.
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