Stress modulating effect of crude leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina in captive grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus).

Abstract

The effect of administering graded concentration levels of Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) crude leaf powder to captive grasscutters on growth performance, haematology, serum biochemistry and faecal worm egg-counts were evaluated. Animals were randomly assigned to four treatments with three replicates per treatment, each having three animals. Treatment A (control) was given distilled water while treatments B, C and D were given albendazole (according to manufacturers prescription), 25ml and 50ml V. amygdalina per litre of water respectively. The highest weight gain was observed in animals in treatment D compared to those in other treatments. The Vernonia amygdalina solution showed significant (p<0.05) improvement on haemoglobin, mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration compared to the control. The final live weight, final weight gain and daily weight gain were also significantly (p<0.05) affected by the treatments. The Vernonia amygdalina solution had significant effect only on Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Phosphates, carbonates, Glucose and creatinine among the biochemical parameters studied. Vernonia amygdalina was more effective in controlling helminthes in weaner grasscutters at either of the levels used than the synthetic drug administered (albendazole) and has no deleterious effect on the gut microflora profile of the stomach, small intestine and caecum of the grasscutter. It was concluded that Vernonia amygdalina leaf powder could improve the growth performance of weaner grasscutters at any of the levels used without deleterious effect, though there is need to test the efficacy of higher doses on the animal.