The effect of replacing groundnut cake with Sesame seed meal (Sesamum indicum) on hematology, blood chemistry and carcass characteristics was evaluated in rabbits. Sixteen (New Zealand white rabbits) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with four rabbits per treatment. The rabbits were fed diets containing 0, 4, 8 and 12% of sesame seed meal (SSM) and designated as T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄, respectively. The experimental diets and clean drinking water were supplied ad libitum throughout the experimental period of nine weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, three rabbits per treatment were selected for hematological analysis and carcass evaluation. There were significant differences (P<0.05) among treatments for hemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC) counts, the values increased with increasing in levels of SSM and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were not affected (P>0.05) by the levels of SSM in the diets. There were significant differences (P<0.05) for blood glucose serum globulin, cholesterol, creatinine and urea, but there was no effect (P>0.05) on serum albumin and total proteins among treatments. The carcass characteristics also showed significant differences (P<0.05) among treatments for slaughter weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage, loin, hind legs, kidney fat and abdominal fat. The slaughter and carcass weights were better in the group receiving 8% SSM. It is concluded that inclusion of up to 12% SSM in the diets of growing rabbits has no adverse effect (P>0.05) on the hematological parameters, serum biochemical indices and carcass characteristics.

Key words: Carcass characteristics; Haemotology; Rabbits; Sesame seed meal