EFFECT OF SODIUM VALPROATE ON GROWTH , CARCASS QUALITY, SERUM PROTEIN AND CHOLESTEROL IN RABBITS

Abstract

The effect of oral administration of Sodium valproate - a putative GABA agonist, on growth, carcass quality, serum protein and serum cholesterol in cross-bred male rabbits at the dose levels of 10,15 and 20 mg/kg daily for ten weeks, from seventh to sixteenth week of was studied. Sodium valproate significantly increased the feed intake, body weight gain and improved the feed efficiency at all the three close levels. Carcass weight was significantly increased in all the dose groups but dressing percentage was seen increased at 15 and 20 mg/kg dose only. Longissimus muscle area was seen increased at 20 mg/kg dose only. There was increase in carcass fat percentage at all the dose levels and an increase in Serum cholesterol was observed at 20 mg/kg only. Carcass protein . percentage, serum total proteins, albumin and globulin were not int1uenced by any of the doses. Sodium valproate was found more satisfactory in improving growth rate and carcass quality at 10 and 15 mg/kg.