The clinical and hematological changes in rabbits exposed to leaves of Urtica dioica under experimental conditions

Abstract EN

The study was conducted on 20 female local breed rabbits, of 1-2 years age, of 1-2 kg body weight.

In first part of the study, 10 animals were randomly divided into two groups of 5 each.

The first group was exposed to leaves of Urtica dioica in green phase at a dose rate of 50 grams / kg b.w daily for 10 days, while those of the second group left without exposure as a control group.

In the second part of the study, animals of the first group exposed to leaves in dry phase, at a dose rate of 5 g / kg b.

w.

daily for three weeks, as a powder mixed with the concentrated food.

While those of the second group left as a control group without exposure.

The main dependent parameters in the study were, clinical parameters (body temperature, heartbeat, respiratory rate, body weight, in addition to monitor any abnormal signs appear on the animals).

The main hematological parameters which depended in the study were included, RBC count, WBC count, Hb concentration, PCV percentage, Red cell indices, Bleeding time and Clotting time.

The results of the study revealed the following : In first part clinically ; some rabbits showed strong heartbeat, in other heart beat decreased ; respiratory rate decreased with noisy vesicular murmurs were heard.

Body weight and body temperature were decreased.

In the fourth day post exposure to plant one rabbit showed softy feces.

In the 16th day post exposure one animal died, followed by another on in 18th day of the experiment.

The post mortem findings were pale mucous membranes, stomach impacted with food with ulceration of mucus membranes.

Severe congestion of liver and gastrointestinal tract.

Sever swelling of kidney, urinary bladder filled with urine of dark yellow color.

Hematologically clotting time prolonged, with decrease PCV, and White blood cells counts ; while Hb concentration did not showed any changes In second part : Heart beats, respiratory rates and body temperature were increased, while body weight decreased.

Prolongation of clotting and bleeding time.

The hematological pictures revealed that, Hemoglobin level and PCV values were decreased .The total erythrocyte count did not showed any significant changes during the study.

The mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin, the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were significantly decreased.

The total leucocytes count, the percentage of heterophils, and monocytes percentage were increase.

The lymphocytic and, esinophils percentage were significantly decreased.

The basophiles values did not showed any significant changes during the study.