Effect of dietary cassava peel meal supplemented with methionine and multienzyme on hemo-biochemical indices, digestibility, and antioxidants in rabbits

Background: The effects of cassava peel meal (CPM) supplemented with methionine (MET) and multienzyme (ENZ) was studied using 240 5-week-old rabbits in a completely randomized design arranged in 2 x 2 x 2 factorial (2 CPM levels, 0 and 350 g/kg; 2 methionine levels, 5.6 and 8.3 g/kg; and 2 enzyme levels, 0 and 0.5 g/kg). Results: The CPM inclusion reduced (P < 0.05) leucine, lysine, valine, and threonine digestibility, while the digestibility of leucine, lysine, and valine increased (P < 0.05) by high methionine level. Multienzyme increased leucine, lysine, and valine digestibility. CPM reduced (P < 0.01) red blood cell (RBC) count and the total serum protein. Higher methionine supplementation increased the serum total protein by 9.2%. The CPM inclusion increased bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Methionine and enzyme supplementation increased albumin (ALB) but reduced creatinine (CRE). Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activity level increased (P < 0.01) with methionine and enzyme supplementation. Conclusion: Cassava peel meal could be included in growing rabbits' diets at 350 g/kg level with methionine at 32.53% higher than requirement and 0.5-g/kg multienzyme supplementation.