Background:
Childhood malnutrition is a common public health problem in Ethiopia. This animal study aims
to evaluate the haematological, biochemical, and nutritional indices of weanling albino rats fed on complementary diets
developed from Selected Cereals and Legumes.
Methods:
The nutritional qualities of the formulated blends were assessed biologically by feeding white albino rats to
determine feed intake, the growth rate, protein quality parameters, biochemical and haematological properties. The
commercial weaning diet (cerifam) and casein were used as control diets. On the 28th day, blood samples were collected
from three randomly selected rats by decapitation. Full blood count analysis was carried out using the Automated
Haematologic Analyzer to determine haematological parameters. All the biochemical parameters were determined using
Mindray diagnostic kits. The food intake pattern showed that animals placed on diet 3, diet 4, casein, and cerifam
consumed more food than those fed on diet 1, diet 2, and diet 7. The mean growth rate of animals fed on diet 3 and diet 4
was significantly (p<0.05) higher than those placed on diet 1, diet 2, and diet 7 but similar to those fed with commercial
diet and casein.
Results and Discussion:
The protein quality evaluation of the diets showed that the protein efficiency ratio ranged
from1.20 to 2.43 while the biological value was in the range of 54.53 to 69.48%. The net protein utilization and true
digestibility were 65.62 to 70.21%, and 59.01 to 64.01% respectively. Serum total protein, albumin, and globulin levels in
rats given diet3 and diet4 are comparable to the controls and are within the normal range. Comparatively, the creatinine
and urea levels of rats fed on the control and formulated diets were within the normal range. The serum alanine
aminotransferase values of rats fed on the control and formulated diets ranged from 22.03 IU/L in diet 2 to 38.13 IU/L in
diet5 and were not significantly different with each other. In this study, the packed cell volume and haemoglobin values of
the control and formulated diets were within the recommended range. Evidently, diet 3 and diet 4 gave the best growth
performance after the feeding trials.
Conclusion:
Besides, the haematological and biochemical indices indicate that these diets can support effective growth
and development in rats, and consumption of these diets has no detrimental effects on the liver and renal function.
Effect of B-success herbal supplement on the accessory sex organs of male albino rats
