Authors : O.T. Omotoso and B.T. Sanya
Abstract: Laboratory rats, Rattus norvegicus were fed poultry growers mash plus additional protein supplements and some heavy metals to observe their growth and the haematological parameters of their blood samples. All the dietary supplements resulted in growth increases of the rats. The effects of the diets are significantly correlated at 0.01 levels. Rats recorded weight losses in all heavy metals laced diets except in calcium sulphate laced diets where the rats recorded growth increase. The haematological analysis of the blood of heavy metals-free rats revealed that White Blood Cells (WBC) ranged between 7,800�2.20-17,700�3.10 mm 3, Red Blood Cells (RBC) 4.11�0.50�106 mm 3 to 6.66�1.82�106 mm 3, Packed Cell Volume (PCV) 46.30�0.41- 60.51�1.90%. Lymphocytes count ranged between 52.80�0.40�109/l- 70.71�0.50�109/l while for heavy metals laced experiments, the white blood cells count ranged between 2900�2.06 mm 3 to 27,400�6.23/mm3, Red Blood Cells (RBC) 6.45�0.01�106 mm 3 to 7.50�0.60�106 mm 3, Packed Cell Volume (PCV) 59.00�1.53-71.00�1.32%. Lymphocytes count ranged between 56.00�0.87 �109 /l-71.02�1.02 �109/l. Basophils were not detected in the rats.
O.T. Omotoso and B.T. Sanya , 2007. Growth Performances of the Laboratory Rats, Rattus norvegicus on Various Protein Supplements and the Effects of Some Heavy Metals on the Haematological Analysis of Their Blood. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, 2: 1202-1206.