Abstract

This research was conducted to evaluate kidney functions and transaminase activities in Wistar rats fed on Caelifera-supplemented weaning diets made from locally available feed ingredients. Twenty-four (24) weanling Wistar rats, with mean weight of 39.27 ± 0.3 g were divided into four (4) groups of equal average weight and were randomly assigned to four experimental diets. Diet 4 (control) is Nestle wheat cerelac. Diet 1 contained Digitariaexilis (45%), Caelifera (12.5%), Daucuscarota (10%), Glycine max, (30%) and sucrose (2.5%) while diet 2 contained Triticumaestivum (45%), Caelifera (12.5%), carrot (10%), Glycine max (30%) and sucrose (2.5%). Diet 3 was made up of Pennisatumtyphoides (45%), Caelifera (2.5%), Daucuscarota (10%), Glycine max (30%) and sucrose (2.5%). The Wistar rats were fed on their respective diets and water ad libitum for six weeks. The serum concentrations of urea, uric acid, creatinine, aspartate and alanine transaminases were determined. The serum concentrations of urea, uric acid and creatinine were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by test diets. Serum ALT and AST were significantly (p<0.05) higher in Wistar rats maintained on diet 1. It is therefore concluded from the findings that the kidney functions may not be altered by the test diets.