Effect of Long Term Feeding of Diets Containing Coprinus fimetarius Treated Rice Straw on Feed Intake, N Status and Histopatholgical Changes in Rabbits

Nine adult female albino rabilts (18-30m; 2.28+0.07), divided equally Into 3 groups, were fed on a concentrate mixture (CM) containing rice straw either treated with urea (A) or treated with Coprinus fimetarius fungus (15) or untreated (C) for 6 m. It was observed that the total DM consumption as well as N balances were similar in all groups. However, N retention expressed as percent of obsorbed N was apparently higher in the B than in A or C groups. Histopathological observations revealed no lesions which could be attributed to the feeding of fungal treated straw. Furthermore, the rabbits fed CM with fungal treated rice straw (B) consumed more feed (P>0.05) than those fed other diets. However, no mortality was. recorded in any of the groups during 6m of experiment indicating there by fungal treated rice straw was non-toxic.