Effects of Feeding of Babul Pod (Acacia nilotica) Powder and Tannin Extract Powder on Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilization, Haemato-Biochemical Profile, Anti- oxidative Status and Immune Status in Male Albino Rats

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of feeding of babul pod (Acacia nilotica) powder and extracted babul pod tannin powder on growth performance, nutrient utilization, haemato- biochemical profile, anti- oxidative status and immune function in male albino rats. The study was conducted at Experimental small animal house and Division of Animal Nutrition, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) at Karnal, Haryana, India. A total of twenty-four weanling male albino rats of Wister strain about 5-6 weeks age were randomly allocated into three treatment groups of 8 animals each based on their body weight in a completely randomized design. Treatments were arranged into T1: (control, containing conventional diet); T2: inclusion of 3.0% tannin equivalent babul pod powder in conventional diet; T3: inclusion of 3.0% tannin extracted Acacia powder in conventional diet. Male albino rats were reared in a cage system using standard protocol. Diets were prepared as per recommendation of National Research Council (1995). These results indicate that the significantly difference (P≤0.05) was noticed among dry matter intake (g/d/rat) and DMI (g/100g BW/rat) in different treatment groups during whole trial period. Average body weight gain was observed significantly (P≤0.05) reduced in T3 group followed by T2 and T1 groups. Digestibility coefficient of nutrients and haemato-biochemical profile were significantly (P≤0.05) affected by inclusion of babul pod powder and extracted babul pod tannin in diet of rats during whole trial period. The overall concentration of SOD was significantly (P<0.01) higher in T2 and T3 tannin treated group as compared to control group. The feeding of babul pod tannin and extracted Acacia tannin did not address significant changes about the immunoglobulin (IgG µg/l) level and Lymphocyte proliferation index (LPI) among different treatment groups. It can be concluded that 3% tannin equivalent from extracted babul pods powder feeding were beneficial in terms of growth, nutrient utilization, lipid profile, and anti- oxidative status as compared to 3% tannin equivalent from babul pods powder in male albino rats.