Effect of oral administration of Pleuroteus tuber-regium extract on growth, serum metabolites and histomorphological changes in growing rabbits

Abstract The effects of oral administration of aqueous extract of Pleuroteus tuber-regium sclerotium (PTRSE) in drinking water on growth, serum analytes and histomorphology parameters were examined using 72 cross bred growing rabbits. Eighteen rabbits each were allotted to 4 treatments with; 0, 500, 750 and 1250 mg PTRSE per liter (mg/l) in drinking water per day. The experiment lasted for 60 days. Data collected were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results revealed an improvement in the live weight (P < 0.01), weight gain (Linear (L), Quadratic (Q): P < 0.01), feed conversion ratio (L, Q:P < 0.01), water intake (L, Q:P < 0.01) and extract intake (L, Q:P < 0.01) following increasing levels of PTRSE in drinking water. Oral application of 750 mg/l PTRSE in drinking water resulted in reduced (P < 0.01) serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, creatinine and alkaline phosphatase and increased cecal villi height (L, Q:P < 0.05) and apical width (Q:P < 0.05). Pathological indicators suggested damages to hepatic tissues in rabbits on 1250 mg/l PTRSE. In conclusion, the oral application of 750 mg/l PTRSE in drinking water can improve the growth, cholesterol profile and absorptive capacity in growing rabbits without imposing any detrimental effect.