RESPONSE OF SOME METABOLIC AND BIOCHEMICAL INDICES IN RABBITS FED VARYING LEVELS OF DIETARY CYANIDE

Twenty four growing rabbits were used to assess the response of serum metabolites, performance, nutrient digestibility, and carcass characteristics of rabbits to varying dietary cyanide levels. The animals were randomly allocated to four experimental, isocaloric and isoproteinous diets containing 0mg, 250mg, 500mg and 750mg dietary cyanide levels corresponding to diets 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Animals on diets 2, 3, and 4 had significantly (P<0.05) reduced digestibility of dry matter and nutrients. Daily body weight gain, daily water intake and feed efficiency significantly (P<0.05) reduced as the cyanide level increased. The serum metabolites, glucose, cholesterol, serum glutamate oxalotransaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and urinary cyanide were not significantly affected (P>0.05). The slaughter weight, and weights of the head and lungs of the rabbits on the cyanide diets were significantly lower (P<0.05) than those on the control diet. The results showed that dietary cyanide had negative impact on nutrient digestibility, growth performance and some carcass characteristics.