Abstract
The effects of hydrolysed maize and rice starch supplemented diets were investigated in male albino rats kept for 28 days. Haematological results showed that the experimental; animals fed with diet supplemented with hydrolysed maize starch (HMS) and diet supplemented with hydrolysed rice starch (HRS) compare favourably with the commercial feed fed group. The highest PCV value recorded was 48.0% on the 21st day of feeding the rats with HRS supplemented diet. in all the three feeding groups the PCV values obtained are not significantly different with respect to the type of diets. These values are within the normal range and increased after administration of the feed samples. In the other parameters Haemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and total white blood cells (TWBC) examined there were no significant difference in the values obtained with regards to the type of diets used. Statistical analysis showed that the values obtained for the groups fed with diet supplemented with hydrolysed maize and rice starch does not differ significantly from that of the commercial diet fed group. The animals fed with diet supplemented with HMS and HRS were very healthy and compare favourably with the animals fed with the commercial feed. The HMS and HRS supplemented diet increased the body weight of the experimental animals. The difference in the body weight of animals in these groups and that of the commercial diet fed group are statistically significant.