African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 3 (6), pp. 343-345, June 2004
ISSN 1684–5315 © 2004 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Biochemical blood parameters in semi-adult rabbits experimentally fed crude oil contaminated diets

S.S. Ovuru*, N.A. Berepubo and M.B. Nodu

Department of Animal Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B. 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: ovurus@yahoo.co.uk.

Accepted 23 January 2004

Biochemical parameters in blood specimens obtained from semi-adult rabbits of both sexes fed crude oil contaminated diets were examined. The diets had crude oil inclusions of 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20%. Blood samples were obtained from the marginal ear vein of representatives in each treatment group and assayed for urea, creatinine, total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin and cholesterol. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in biochemical parameters between control and crude oil treated animals. The biochemical changes observed indicate that ingestion of crude oil fractions cause disturbances in kidney and hepatocytes.

Keywords: Biochemical parameters, rabbits, crude oil contaminated diets.