Physical performance, haematological and behavioural parameters of five mineral water in rats

The objective was to compare the effect of five mineral water mostly consumed in Cameroun on performance, haematological and behavioural parameters in rats. Twenty-four rats (140 g) were used for this study. Among the groups, there are a control group which received deionized water and five experimental groups which received different mineral water (Tangui, Supermont, Opur, Aquabelle and Semme) during 21 days. Rats were allowed for swimming exercise every alternate day between 11h and 17h. On the day 21, rats from each group were subjected to the forced swimming test with tail load. One hour after the forced swimming test, the open field test was carried out to evaluate their behaviour. Water and food consumption, body weight, relative organ weight and haematological parameters were evaluated. Results showed that all the mineral water used during this experimentation did not have any effect on water intake, food consumption, body weight and relative organ weight (p > .05). Significant increase (p < .01 – p < .001) in swimming time of rats consuming Tangui (445.00 ± 43.60 seconds) and Opur (450.80 ± 51.03 seconds) were observed as compared to the control group (325.50 ± 24.37 seconds). Results of behavioural and haematological parameters showed significant modifications in the same groups in comparison with control group (p < .01 – p < .001). Differences of swimming time, hematologic and behavioural parameters observed in rats having consumed Tangui and Opur could be due to the quantity of some minerals (calcium and magnesium) present in those drinks.