Effect of Mucuna pruriens (Velvet Bean) Seed Meal Diet at Varying Levels on Blood Profile and Reproductive Performance of Rabbit Bucks

This study was conducted (August to October, 2018) to investigate the effect of varying levels of Mucuna pruriens seed meal diet on reproductive performance and blood profile of rabbit bucks. A total of 30 rabbit bucks weighing 1083 g to 1100 g were randomly allocated to five experimental diets replicated into six containing 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% of Mucuna pruriens seed meal diet in a 2 month (8 week) trial. The phytochemical screening results shows no cardiac glycosides and alkaloids, in Mucuna pruriens seed screened, but a weak presence of resins, saponins, glycosides, steroids and terpens and antitraques, and moderate presence of flavonoids and tannins in Mucuna pruriens seed. The results revealed that the inclusion of Mucuna pruriens seed meal in the diet of rabbit bucks had significant (P < 0.05) effect on average daily feed intake with the highest value occurring at 0% (T1) MSM level of inclusion and lowest at 10% (T3), average final weight and average weight gain with the highest values at 20% (5) MSM level of inclusion and lowest at 0% (T1) for AFW and AWG respectively. The feed conversion ratio was significantly (P < 0.05) different between the treatment groups, and the values were generally similar in numerical comparison to those in the control group. A significant (P < 0.05) difference occurred in the relative weight of vital internal organs of the rabbit bucks between the treatment groups with respect to liver with highest relative weight at 0% (T1) and lowest value in 15% (T3) MSM level of inclusion, and the relative weight of the organs were generally similar in numerical comparison to those in the control group. The inclusion of Mucuna pruriens seed meal in the diets of the rabbit bucks also had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on relative weights of the reproductive organs except the paired testes weight which was significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by the effect of the MSM diet meanwhile testis volume, length and width did not show a significant (P > 0.05) difference between the groups but the mean epididymal (left) length significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the influenced of the MSM diet. The haematological parameters evaluated showed no significant (P > 0.05) difference on PCV, RBC, MCV, MCH, WBC and LDC (leukocytes differential count (N.L.M.E.B)). There were significant (P < 0.05) difference among treatments in Hb and MCHC. Rabbits fed 0 and 20% for Hb and 15% for MCHC MSM diets had significantly (P < 0.05) higher value than those of rabbits fed 20% MSM diet. The effect of MSM diet did not influenced (P > 0.05) the rabbits on total protein, albumin and glucose levels, and their values were comparable to those in the control, thus MSM diet influenced (P < 0.05) rabbit bucks on globulin, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, AST, ALT and ALP among the treatment groups. Significant (P < 0.05) differences in the mean value of testis density were observed in the left and paired testis density between the treatment groups and this could be attributed to increase sperm production. The MSM had positive effect on the physiological status (RR and HR) of the rabbit bucks and improved significantly (P < 0.05) most of the growth and reproductive traits studied. The lowest (17.44°C) Temperature humidity index during the study was observed in August (first week of experiment) and the highest (21.16°C) Temperature humidity index also was observed in August (third week of experiment), 2018. The study revealed that the rabbit bucks did not experience heat stress throughout the experimental period since the weekly THI means observed (17.44 to 21.16°C) were below (27.8°C) heat stress condition. The histological parameters showed normal structure of the seminiferous tubules and germ cells in their various stages of maturation arranged in a layered order. However, the seminiferous tubules were better organized with complete spermatogenesis, and more clearly defined in groups 2 (5%), 3 (10%) and 4 (15%) respectively and their epithelia were structurally intact and show normal germ cells compared to those in group 1 (control) and 5 (20%). It is concluded that the inclusion of Mucuna pruriens seed meal diet up to 20% in rabbit bucks diet would guarantee a good health and growth performance without any deleterious effect on germ cell differentiation, reproductive organ weights and physiological responses. From the findings, it appears Mucuna pruriens seed meal diet is a potential enhancer of male reproductive performance that can be recommended to rabbit farmers for improving reproductive performance, hence a boon to reproduction and production in rabbit farming industry.