The Effects of Feeding Pinus Pinea Seeds on Some Blood Values in Male New Zealand White Rabbits

A trial involving 16 male New Zealand white rabbits was conducted to determine whether there is any effect of Pinus Pinea seed supplementation on hematological parameters and organs. Rabbits (6-8 months old) were divided into two groups of 8 rabbits. Rabbits in the control group received 10 cc tap water for 49 days. Rabbits in the treatment group received 1 g kg(-1) of Pinea seeds in 10 cc of tap water for 49 days. All treatments were given by oral gavage. At the end of the experiment, 10 cc of blood was withdrawn from the ear arteries of each rabbits and sacrificed. No significant differences were detected in mean hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, plasma protein, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, plasma protein, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, percent neutrophil, eosinophil, basophil, lymphocyte and monocyte of rabbits in control and treatment groups. Overall blood parameters remained within the physiological range in both groups. Liver, kidney, lung, heart and body weights between control and treatment groups did not differ. Moreover, no apparent changes in liver, kidney, liver, testis and brain were detected by gross post mortem and histopatological examination to suggest toxic effect of oral use of Pinus Pinea seeds for 49 days. In conclusion, 49 days of Pinus Pinea seed supplementation did not cause any negative effects on the parameters tested in his study.