Influence of the Inclusion of Graded Levels of Cassava Leaf Meal in the Diet on Post Partum Weight and Pre-Weaning Growth of Guinea Pigs (Cavia Porcellus L.)

A study on the effect of the inclusion of graded levels of cassava leaf meal in the diet on post partum weight and pre-weaning growth of guinea pig was carried out from September 2012 to December 2012 at the teaching and research farm of the University of Dschang in West- Cameroon. 72 guinea pigs (60 females and 12 males) weighing averagely 555,00±58,25g were divided following a completely randomized design into 4 groups of 15 females and 3 males each and put on breeding for a period of 31 days and then the males were removed. Each group received Pennisetumpurpureum ad libitum supplemented to four diets with graded levels of cassava leaf meal named ration R0, ration R1, ration R2 and ration R3 respectively for group 1, 2, 3 and 4. Samples of experimental diets were collected and taken to the laboratory of nutrition and feeding for analysis of their nutritive value. From birth to weaning, females and their kids were weighed every 7 days. This study revealed that, cassava leaves contained 26.29% of crude protein therefore indicating their potential to be used as protein source. The difference in the chemical composition of the experimental diets reflected the protein source. Thus, R3 diet containing 100% of CLM, obtained a lower crude protein (17.18% DM) and higher crude fiber (13.54% DM) with exactly the opposite trend for R0 diet containing 100% of soybean meal. No significant difference (P > 0.05) has been observed between post partum weights of females in all the groups. At birth, mean weights of newborns were 94.00±9.78g; 98.64±13.20g; 98.75±8.70g and 94.00±9.88g respectively for diets R0, R1, R2 and R3 and all statistically comparable (P > 0.05). Mean weights of kids at weaning for the diets R0, R1, R2 and R3 were 182.03±16.92g; 190.42±15.57g; 205.83±19.87g and 197.50±17.17 giving a daily weight gain of 4.19±0.60g; 4.37±0.57g; 5.10±0.79g and 4.93±0.60g respectively. At weaning, kids submitted to R2 diet (205.83±19.87) registered a mean weight significantly higher (P < 0.05) to that of kids of R0 diet (182.03±16.92). Besides, mean weights of kids of R2 and R3 (197.50±17.17) diets, R0 and R1 (190.42±15.57) on the one hand, R1 and R3 on the other hand were statistically comparable (P > 0.05). We can conclude that dried cassava leaves can substitute soybean meal and improve growth performances of guinea pigs at very low cost in rural area.