*Biotechnology Centre, IVRI, Izatnagar, 243 122, U.P.
**Animal Nutrition Division, IVRI, Izatnagar, 243 122, UP
Livestock Production Research, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar Campus, 263 138, Nainital (India)
Online published on 29 December, 2011.
Eighteen broiler rabbits (4–5 wks, 795±75 g) divided randomly into 3 equal groups were fed conventional concentrate in mash form plus grass (Gr.I), concentrate plus Robinia (R. pseudoacacia) leaves (Gr.II), and only Robinia leaves (Gr. III) for 11 weeks. Thereafter, each group was divided into two sub-groups A&B. Sub groups A were inoculated intravenously with BSA fraction V 500 μg/rabbit and animals were bled on 28 days post injection. Animals of sub-groups B were hyper-immunised against BSA fraction V. Total DM intake was significantly higher in groups II and III. Group Iliad the highest titre of agglutinating antibodies followed by group II and lowest in groups III. In all three A sub-groups no antibody could be detected by both tests (AGPT and PAT). Groups II and III showed precipitatinganti body by AGPT but not in group I. It may be deduced that Robinia leaves can solely be fed to rabbits without immunological depression when supplemented with concentrate mixture.
