Abstract
Oil oxidation is important in terms of taste, nutritive component quality and toxic effect of the oil. In this study, the oxidized sunflower oil was used along with chia seed in rabbits for the determination of its effects on various hematological and serum biochemical pa-rameters as well as on liver histopathology. Three rab-bits were fed with oxidized oil (obtained by heating) at the dose rate of 2 ml/kg body weight by mixing it with green fodder. The other rabbit groups were fed with Chia seed at dose rate of 1, 2 and 3 g/kg along with oxidized sunflower oil. Chia seed was fed alone to three rabbits at the dose rate of 2 g/kg body weight. All rab-bits were fed regularly for twenty-one days. For the de-termination of hematological and biochemical param-eters, whole blood and serum samples were collected on different days during feeding period. For histopathology, liver samples were used. Significant changes (p<0.05) were noted in the hematology and biochemical indices in the rabbits that were fed with oxidized sunflower oil alone, and along with different doses of Chia seed. In a dose-dependent manner, all these parameters were sig-nificantly improved (p<0.05), when the amount of Chia seed was increased. The biochemical and hematological indices were in normal range in the group fed only with Chia seed. In oxidized oil fed group, liver histopatho-logical analysis showed that cholestasis was present at both sides (bile pigment secretion) and zone 3 necro-sis with mild inflammatory cells. Mild vacuolization of hepatocytes was also observed. In Chia seed fed group, hepatocyte vacuolization and mild necrosis was noted. It was concluded that oxidized sunflower oil alters the biochemical and hematological parameters and causes liver abnormalities. Chia seeds act as an antioxidant and retrieve those alterations.