Author : Soejakso

Summary : Two experiments, using 44 sexually mature female rats (Mus norvigicus albinus) and their 109 offsprings (63 males and 46 females), were conducted to evaluate the comparative effects of sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) and giant IPIL-IPIL leaf meal (GILM) on reproduction and on certain morpho-physiological stages of growth of albino rats. In the reproductive study (Experiment 1) the rats were randomly distributed, using randomized complete Block (RCB) design into 11 treatment groups consisting of 0. 0.5, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 ppm Na (subscript 2) SeO (subscript 3) and 4, 7, 10, 14, and 17 percent GILM. In the growth study (Experiment II), the offsprings were randomly distributed in a 8 x 2 x 2 factorial in CRD with unequal replications. The treatment diets were composed of the same five levels of Na (subscript 2)SeO (subscript 3) and three levels (4, 7, and 10 percent) of GILM. The effects of sex and type of feeding were also evaluated. The results showed that high levels of Na (subscript 2) SeO (subscript 3) (e.g., 7.5 and 10 ppm) and GILM (e.g., 14 and 17 percent) significantly depressed the breeding efficiency by lengthening the estrous cycle interval and the diestrus phase and by increasing the number of breeding services of the rats; significantly reduced hematological values (e.g., RBC, hematocrit, hemoglabin, WRC, and basophils) and selected organ weights (e.g., liver, thyroid, and pituitary glands); markedly increased the serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) value and caused certain histopathological changes on selected endocrine and hepatorenal tissues as compared with rats in the control group. Experiment II showed that feeding the offsprings high levels of Na (subscript 2) SeO (subscript 3) (5 and 7.5 ppm) and GILM (7 and 10 percent) failed to influence the total weight gains of rats although the total feed consumption, hematological values (e.g. RBC, Ht, Hb, etc.) and selected endocrine, hepatorenal and spleen weights were significantly reduced as compared with the control group.