Growth and reproductive performance of white mice (Mus musculus Linn.) as influenced by pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan(L.) Millsp.)

Abstract

The research was conducted to investigate the effect of pigeonpea dal on the growth and reproductive performance of white mice (Mus Musculus Linn.) at the Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU), Magalang, Pampanga, Philippines. A total 20 male mice of three weeks old was fed with different level ratio (25%, 35% and 45%) of pigeon pea dal to determine the growth performance while another 20 nulliparous female and 20 male of eight week old mice were fed with different levels containing 20%,30% and 40% of pigeon pea dal to investigate the effect on its reproductive performance. The inclusion of 25%,35%. or 45% pigeonpea dal rations on the growth performance on treated mice showed that the body weight; average daily gain (ADG); and feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) efficiency were comparable from each other and the control group (commercial hamster feed). Whereas 100% whelping rate was observed without any recorded abortion to each treatment group of feeding rations containing 20%, 30% and 40% pigeonpea dal on the reproductive performance of mice. Litter size (11.6) was highest in mice fed with the control ration but was comparable to the treated groups. Mean birth weight of mice fed with 20% pigeonpea dal was significantly heavier as compared to the other treatments. However, after 21 days, the mean weaning weights of all pups was similar for all treatments. This suggests that different levels of pigeonpea dal do not affect whelping rate, birth rate and weaning weight. Therefore the inclusion of 20%,30%, or 40% pigeon pea dal in the diet does not affect normal reproduction in mice