Physiological Response, Serum Minerals, and Lipid Profile of Matured Crossbred Bucks Fed Diets Supplemented with Acalypha wilkesiana Leaf Powder and Ascorbic Acid
Résumé
Abstract This study evaluated the physiological effects of dietary supplementation of Acalypha wilkesiana Leaf Powder (AWLP) and Ascorbic Acid (AA) on the haematology, serum biochemistry, and serum mineral profiles of matured rabbit bucks. Fifty matured crossbred bucks (New Zealand White×Chinchilla), weight-balanced and acclimatized for two weeks, were randomly assigned to five distinct dietary treatments (n=10 per treatment) in a Completely Randomized Design. Treatment 1 (T1) received a basal control diet only; T2 was fed the basal diet supplemented with 250 mg/kg AA; while T3, T4, and T5 received the basal diet supplemented with AWLP at 150 mg/ kg, 300 mg/kg, and 450 mg/kg, respectively. Quantitative phytochemical profiling revealed that the AWLP was highly rich in flavonoids (509.4 mg/g), saponins (206.5 mg/g), steroids (188.4 mg/g), tannins (157.1 mg/g), and alkaloids (60.96 mg/g). All tested physiological parameters remained safely within the standard normal reference ranges for adult rabbits. However, distinct significant (p<0.05) treatment trends were observed. Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobin (Hb), Red Blood Cells (RBC), White Blood Cells (WBC), and differential leukocyte counts were highest in the AWLP-supplemented groups (T3-T5), intermediate in the AA positive control group (T2), and lowest in the negative control group (T1). Similarly, vital serum parameters - including total protein, albumin, globulin, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and bicarbonate - demonstrated a step-up trend that was highest in T3-T5, intermediate in T2, and lowest in T1 (p<0.05). Conversely, serum cholesterol was significantly reduced by AWLP supplementation, presenting the lowest values in T3-T5, intermediate values in T2, and the highest concentration in the basal control T1 (p<0.05). Crucially, key markers of organ toxicity, including Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), serum urea, and creatinine, were completely unaffected (p>0.05) by any of the dietary treatments. These findings demonstrate that Acalypha wilkesiana leaf powder functions as a highly effective, safe phytogenic health modulator. It enhances erythropoiesis, strengthens immune status via increased globulins and leukocytes, improves mineral homeostasis, and exerts potent hypocholesterolemic effects up to an inclusion level of 450 mg/kg with zero risk of hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity in matured breeding bucks.
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