Serum Biochemical Characteristics of Nile Rats (Arvicanthis niloticus) Fed Five Different Sources of Feed

Abstract:

Serum biochemical analysis were conducted to determine the effects of cassava tubers, growers mash, guinea grass; sorghum seeds and yam peels on the liver condition of Nile rats. Three hundred rats were divided into five groups of sixty rats each in three replicates. They were fed with different rations for twenty-four weeks (168 days) along with water ad libitum. Serum biochemistry, liver marker enzymes and lipid profile were evaluated following standard methods. Results showed that rats fed with sorghum seeds had highest serum levels of glucose and globulin while serum protein level was highest in male rats fed with guinea grass and female rats fed with growers’ mash. Level of urea was lowest in those fed with sorghum seeds while creatinine was lowest in rats fed with cassava tuber. In the male Nile rats, lowest levels of liver marker enzymes Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) evaluated were lowest in the baseline than those fed with the different feed regime. Also, levels of Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and L-aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) were higher in the male rats fed with cassava tuber. Male rats fed with yam peel had the highest level of Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP). Generally, the feed type showed significant effect on serum lipid profile, higher serum glucose level in the Nile rats fed with sorghum seed in captivity could also suggest an onset of diabetics. This study concluded that Nile rat can be reared in captivity, having preference for sorghum seeds and growers mash feeds respectively.