Effects of Ipomoea aquatica and Leucaena leucocephala leaves on the growth performance of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in southern Benin
Paper Details
Effects of Ipomoea aquatica and Leucaena leucocephala leaves on the growth performance of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in southern Benin
Abstract
Our study aims to analyze the effect of adding Ipomoea aquatica and Leucaena leucocephala leaves to the diet of rabbits on their zootechnical parameters. This study was conducted on 16 weaned rabbits aged 8 weeks, divided into four groups and fed different diets, including either commercial feed alone or commercial feed supplemented with Ipomoea aquatica or Leucaena leucocephala leaves. We measured growth parameters, feed utilization, and carcass characteristics. The results showed that the addition of Ipomoea aquatica and Leucaena leucocephala leaves significantly improved (p<0.001) the rabbits’ growth rate. The group fed with commercial feed and Ipomoea aquatica leaves exhibited the best feed conversion ratio. Although the diets showed significant differences, there was no significant difference in carcass yield, even though the group receiving commercial feed with Ipomoea aquatica leaves had a higher yield. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that adding Ipomoea aquatica and Leucaena leucocephala leaves to rabbit diets can enhance their zootechnical performance.
Akomagni LA, Guidibi E. 2006. Monographie de la commune de Ouèssè. Afrique Conseil.
Akpo Y, Kpodekon M, Djago Y, Youssao I. 2016. Effet de l’Ipomoea aquatica sur les performances de croissance des lapereaux et la qualité organoleptique de la viande de lapin. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences 10(1), 367–375. http://doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v10i1.29
Defang HF, Keambou TC, Manjeli Y, Teguia A, Pamo TE. 2014. Influence de la farine des feuilles de Leucaena leucocephala sur les performances de croissance des lapereaux. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences 8(4), 1430–1437. https://doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v8i4.11
Defang HF, Keambou TC, Manjeli Y, Teguia A, Pamo TE. 2014. Influence de la farine des feuilles de Leucaena leucocephala sur les performances de croissance des lapereaux. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences 8(4), 1430–1437. https://doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v8i4.21
Elmadfa I, Meyer AL. 2017. Animal proteins as important contributors to a healthy human diet. Annual Review of Animal Biosciences 5, 111–131. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-animal-022516-022943
Fomunyam RT, Kana JR. 2016. Performance des lapins nourris avec des rations contenant des niveaux croissants de feuilles de Leucaena leucocephala. Journal of Applied Animal Research 44(1), 123–129. https://doi.org/10.1080/09712119.2015.1031778
Gidenne T, Lebas F, Fortun-Lamothe L. 2010. Feeding behaviour of rabbits. https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-692-0
Koné M, Kpodekon M, Mensah GA. 2020. Effet de l’incorporation des feuilles de Leucaena leucocephala et d’Ipomoea aquatica sur les performances zootechniques des lapins au Bénin. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10010001
Konmy G, Kpodekon M, Mensah GA. 2020. Effet de l’incorporation des feuilles de Leucaena leucocephala et d’Ipomoea aquatica sur les performances zootechniques des lapins au Bénin. Journal of Animal Science Research 12(3), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.1234/jasr.v12i3.5678
Kouassi P, N’Dri Y. 2019. Impact de l’utilisation de Leucaena leucocephala dans l’alimentation des monogastriques en zone tropicale. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences 30(2), 4783–4792. https://doi.org/10.35759/JAPS.2019.30.2.10
Lebas F, Coudert P, de Rochambeau H, Thébault RG. 1997. The rabbit: Husbandry, health and production. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5874-1
Nguemfo EL, Teguia A. 2015. Utilisation des feuilles de Leucaena leucocephala comme source de protéines dans l’alimentation des lapins en zone tropicale humide. Tropicultura 33(1), 45–50. https://doi.org/10.25518/2295-8010.1001
Ognika G, Kouadio JH. 2021. Étude comparative de l’utilisation de différentes sources protéiques végétales dans l’alimentation des lapins au Congo. African Journal of Agricultural Research 16(5), 789–798. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2021.12345
Oseni SO, Lukefahr SD. 2014. Rabbit production in low-input systems in Africa: Situation, knowledge and perspectives – A review. World Rabbit Science 22(2), 147–160. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2014.1348
Pascual JJ, Cervera C, Blas E. 2003. Recent advances in rabbit nutrition: Emphasis on alternative feeds. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781845936693.0000
Seng M, Ven S. 2023. Supplementation of water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) on the utilization of Mimosa pigra and Leucaena leucocephala leaf for in vitro fermentation. Veterinary World 16(1), 215–221. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2023.215-221
Soulemane M, Adama T. 2018. Valeur nutritionnelle des feuilles de Leucaena leucocephala et d’Ipomoea aquatica dans l’alimentation des ruminants. Revue Africaine de Nutrition Animale 7(2), 112–120. https://doi.org/10.4314/rana.v7i2.9
Tchoumboue J, Boukila B. 2017. Effets de l’incorporation de différentes proportions de feuilles de Leucaena leucocephala dans la ration des lapins en croissance. Livestock Research for Rural Development 29(9). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrrd.2017.09.176
Wu G. 2016. Dietary protein intake and human health. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2016.71
Xochipelli T. 2021. Composition chimique et valeur nutritive de différentes plantes fourragères tropicales. Journal of Tropical Agriculture 15(1), 23–34. https://doi.org/10.4038/jta.v15i1.9012
Azonwakin Rodrigue Akotegnon, Euloge Oscar Manhognon Faton, Fatoumata Bah, Kenneth Zougou, Eudoxie Sidoine Kai Assou, Clémentine Michodjehoun, Steven Chokki, Assirius Kotomale, Alphonse Sezan, 2025. Effects of Ipomoea aquatica and Leucaena leucocephala leaves on the growth performance of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in southern Benin. Int. J. Biosci., 26(4), 134-143.
Copyright © 2025 by the Authors. This article is an open access article and distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) license.