Effect of Replacing Maize with Yam Peel Meal (YPM) on the Gastrointestinal Tract and Reproductive Tract Morphometry of Rabbit Does

Abstract

The present study was carried out at the livestock teaching and research farm, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi, Benue State. A total of sixteen 6-8 weeks old female rabbits of mixed breeds with average initial weights of 650-850g were used to examine the effect of replacing maize with graded levels of yam peel meal (YPM) on the gastrointestinal tract and reproductive tract morphometric of rabbit does. The rabbits were randomly allotted into four treatment groups designated as T1 (which served as the control), T2, T3, and T4 in a completely randomized design (CRD). Each treatment was replicated four times having one rabbit per replicate. Four experimental diets were formulated with YPM at varying levels of 0% in T1, 25%, 50% and 75% in T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Each of the diets was offered ad libitum to the rabbits with cool clean drinking water. After 12 weeks of ad libitum feeding, all the animals were sacrificed under humane conditions. The results showed similarities (P>0.05) between the diets for all the parameters evaluated. The results suggest that up to 70% replacement of maize with YPM in the diets of female rabbits may support normal gastrointestinal tract functions and the physiology of reproduction in female rabbits.