Effect of garlic supplementation on zootechnical performance and hepato-renal functions in nitrate-treated rabbits

Ghazunfar Rashid ,Arbab Sikandar ,Irfan Irshad ,Ameena Nasir ,Muhammad Avais ,Mohammed Ahmer Kashif ,Muhammad Faheem Adil ,Hassanat Ullah

doi:10.4314/sajas.v51i4.10

Abstract

The effect of garlic supplementation on zootechnical performance and hepato-renal functions of rabbits exposed to experimental nitrate poisoning was evaluated. Adult male 6-8 week-old albino rabbits (n= 24) were randomly divided into four groups (A - D) and subjected to nitrate intoxication through the oral administration of sodium nitrate solution at 2 ml/kg bodyweight per day for 40 days. Group A was a control that received no treatment except sodium nitrate. Rabbits in groups B and C were treated with 1% methylene blue solution (2 mg/kg bodyweight per day) and aqueous garlic extract (500 mg/kg bodyweight per day) through intraperitoneal and oral routes, respectively. Rabbits in group D were treated with both 1% methylene blue solution (2 mg/kg bodyweight per day, intraperitoneally) and aqueous garlic extract (500 mg/kg bodyweight per day, orally). On completion of the treatment period, the groups were compared in growth performance, biochemical profile and histopathological changes of hepato-renal tissues. Although the total feed consumption of the groups remained comparable, Group C showed relatively better weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Likewise, garlic extract significantly increased the serum bilirubin concentration and reduced the level of other biochemical attributes in comparison with control animals. The hepatic and renal tissues of Groups C and D remained normal, whereas those of the control group exhibited distinct histopathological alterations. It was concluded that garlic supplementation ameliorated the deleterious effects of nitrate intoxication on production performance and hepato-renal functions of rabbits.

Highlights

Nitrate is a known contaminant of drinking water, aquatic ecosystems, and animal fodder
The total feed consumption (FC) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of various groups were not different, significant differences were evident in net WG (Table 2)
Rabbits in the group A exhibited the lowest values of total FC, net WG and FCR

Summary

Introduction

Nitrate is a known contaminant of drinking water, aquatic ecosystems, and animal fodder. The consumption of water or feed contaminated with nitrate by farm animals frequently leads to outbreaks of nitrate poisoning throughout the world (Ozmen et al, 2003). The utilization of nitrate follows the synthesis of nitric oxide and its conversion into the reactive molecule peroxynitrite, which plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of many disease conditions (Luiking et al, 2010). Following the reduction of nitrate, nitrite binds readily with haemoglobin and forms methemoglobin, which is characterized by deficiency in oxygen-carrying capacity. Several animal species suffer from nitrate poisoning, cattle exhibit relatively high susceptibility owing to the presence of ruminal micro-organisms, which rapidly catalyse the conversion of nitrate into highly toxic nitrite. The oxidative stress mediated by reactive metabolites such as peroxynitrite and peroxides has been

Methods

Results

Conclusion