Growth Performance and Hematological Characteristics of Wistar Rats Fed Diets Formulated from Three Species of Mollusks (Limicolaria flammea, Viviparus contectus and Egeria radiata) from Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Aim: The present study investigated the performance characteristics and hematological parameters of Wistar rats fed diets formulated from three species mollusks (Limicolaria flammea, Viviparus contectus Egeria radiata).
 Study Design: Twenty-five (negative control, positive 3 experimental groups) were used in 28-days feeding experiment administered as follows: T1-Basal, T2-CerelacTM (Nestle Foods Nigeria Plc), T3- L. T4- V. T5- E. radiata.
 Methodology: Proximate composition faecal carcass nitrogen determined by standard methods while analysis was done using Mindray PC-10 Auto Hematology Analyzer.
 Results: Crude protein ranged 6.74±0.03% to 19.58±0.02% T1 T5 respectively. T2, T3, T4 animals had significant weight gain except T1. higher total feed consumed values compared T2. There no difference conversion ratio (FCR) between T2 (T3, T4, T5). a negative (-0.03±0.002) hence significantly lower (p<0.05) than T5. Protein efficiency (PER) lowest highest cerelac group; (p<.05) other groups groups. True digestibility (TD) (T1, Biological value (BV) showed following trend: T5<T3<T4<T2. (p>0.05) relative organ weights heart, kidney spleen this study. Except for all boosted packed cell volume (PCV) levels controls (T1 T2). (PCV), white blood cells (WBC) monocytes neutrophils when T2.
 Conclusion: thus good potential maintain health (except T3 which harmful effects on parameters) their consumption (after proper cooking) is encouraged.