Abstract
Desmodium tortuosum and Euphorbia heterophylla are fields’ weeds. Moringa oleifera plant is adapted to several agroecological zones and has many food and medicinal virtues. This work assessed these three plants potential to induce milk production. Thus, 96 primiparous local breed rabbit does, 10 months old, with an average 2983.6±212.4 g weight were used. They were grouped into 4 blocks containing 24 animals each. Then, one diet among 4 diets was randomly assigned to each group. Panicum maximum as fodder was mixed with a commercial pellet rabbit feed, the control (Pan). Then, this control diet was supplemented with Desmodium tortuosum (Des), Euphorbia heterophylla (Eup) and Moringa oleifera (Mor) in pellet partial substitution. The parameters monitored were the litter size, the pups’ average daily weight gain, the does’ weights before and during gestation, and after farrowing. Likewise, the milk production at peak lactation was evaluated. As a result, compare to Pan, Des, and Eup diets improved the total rabbit pups’ number from 96 to 112, and it represented a 16.67% gain. But Mor diet reduced Pan diet performance to 76 newborn rabbits, it was a 20.83% loss. Moreover, Des, Eup, and Mor diets induced an improvement in the milk quantity at peak lactation. In this order, these improvements were +15.51, +27.74, and +19.98%, respectively, compared to Pan diet which produced 109.6 g. In conclusion, Desmodium tortuosum and Euphorbia heterophylla could be used as green forages to improve milk production in local rabbit does breeding.
Highlights
In African flora, several plants are used for therapeutic and food purposes
The dry matter (DM) voluntary daily intake means by Rabbit does subjected to Pan, Desmodium tortuosum (Des), Euphorbia heterophylla (Eup), and Moringa oleifera (Mor) diets were significantly different
Rabbits does under Des and Pan diets were significantly higher than those of Eup and Mor diets
Summary
In African flora, several plants are used for therapeutic and food purposes. Yapo et al (2012) demonstrated Parkia biglobosa leaves aqueous extract immunostimulant activity in rabbits. Kouakou et al (2015, 2016) came to the conclusion that Euphorbia heterophylla, and Ipomea batatas leaves and stems can be used as supplements in rabbit and guinea pig diets. These leaves induce a good organic matter digestibility while promoting a significant reduction in production costs. Codjia et al (2001), Deleke-Koko et al (2011), and Akouedegni et al (2012) identified steroidal constituents, terpenes, cardiotonic derivatives, saponins, and tannins presence in Adansonia digitata leaves These metabolites would contribute to its lactogenic effect
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