Mako, A.A.*, Akinwande, V.O. , Oyegunwa, A.S., Osofuwa, A.G. and Olanipekun, I.

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The objective of this study was to evaluate the apparent nutrient digestibility and nitrogen utilization by rabbits fed varying proportions of Alternanthera brasiliana leaf meal (ABLM) and groundnut cake (GNC) based diets. Five experimental diets 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% levels of ABLM substitution for GNC were formulated. The chemical composition of the experimental diets was determined. Apparent nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization and total digestible nutrients by rabbits were also determined. Fifteen female weaned Chinchilla white rabbits between the ages of 6 – 10 weeks, weighing 400 – 600g were used for the digestibility trial. Three animals were allotted to each of 5 treatments in a completely randomized design. Parameters measured include: apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein, nitrogen intake, urinary nitrogen, nitrogen balance and retention, and total digestible nutrients. Results revealed that the apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein decreased with increasing level of ABLM in the diets, however the apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein were similar for rabbits on 0% and 10% ABLM diets, while there were significant variations among 5%, 15% and 20% ABLM diets. Same trend was observed for nitrogen intake, urinary nitrogen, nitrogen balance and retention, and total digestible nutrients. It is concluded that Alternanthera brasiliana leaf meal can replace groundnut cake in the diets of rabbits up to 10% level of inclusion for optimum nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention. Key words: Alternanthera brasiliana, groundnut cake, Nitrogen utilization, nutrient digestibility, rabbits