Growth Performance of Rabbits Fed Diets Containing Different Levels of Energy and Mixture of Some Medicinal Plants

H A A Omer,F A F Ali,Sh A M Ibrahim,A A Abedo

doi:10.5539/jas.v4n2p201

Abstract

A total number of 48 male growing New Zealand rabbits were used to study the effect of two different levels of ration energy supplemented with mixture of Lupinus albus L, Trigonella foenum-graecum L and Cassia senna L as feed additives. Rabbits were classified into four equal groups (G1-G4). The 1st and 3rd groups received basal ration with 100 % and 90 % energy requirement and served as first and second control respectively. The 2nd and the 4th groups received basal ration with 100 % and 90 % energy requirement supplemented with mixture at the level of 1.5 %, respectively. The results showed that decreasing energy requirements level by 10% in rabbit diets significantly (P<0.05) increased the digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, CP and NFE & DCP values. The 90% energy level insignificant increased (P>0.05) CF and EE digestibility coefficients and TDN value. The 90% energy requirement with 1.5 % additives mixture (G4) recorded the best digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, CP, CF, EE, NFE and nutritive values of TDN and DCP. The 90% energy level significantly (P<0.05) improved feed conversion (g intake /g gain) of DM, CP, DCP, TDN and DE, respectively compared to control. Adding mixture at 1.5 % level significantly (P<0.05) improved feed conversion (g intake /g gain) of DM, CP, DCP, TDN and DE, respectively compared to control. The 90% energy with 1.5% additives mixture (G4) recorded the best values of final body weight, body weight gain, and average daily gain as well as feed conversion. Additives mixture at 1.5% level significantly (P>0.05) increased the total inedible offal's (weight and % of SW) and Dm contents of the 9, 10 and 11th ribs. The 90% energy level with 1.5% additives mixture (G4) diet recorded the highest value of relative economic efficiency (145.1%) and the lowest value of feed cost/ kg live body weight (3.97 LE). It can be concluded that this mixture of medicinal plants can be considered as growth promoter that is effective for improving the utilization of low energy diet by lowering circulating glucose levels through enhancing insulin sensitivity.

Highlights

Use of some herbal medicines, have been considered as an alternative for therapeutic usage or to evaluate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects (Kassaian et al, 2009)
It can be concluded that this mixture of medicinal plants can be considered as growth promoter that is effective for improving the utilization of low energy diet by lowering circulating glucose levels through enhancing insulin sensitivity
The 90% of energy level containing diets showed slightly increase in Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and hemicellulose contents, while acid detergent fiber (ADF), cellulose and non fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) contents were slightly decreased compared to control diet with 100% energy requirements

Summary

Introduction

Use of some herbal medicines, have been considered as an alternative for therapeutic usage or to evaluate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects (Kassaian et al, 2009). Protein and fiber derived from lupin kernel significantly lower influences energy intake acutely (Lee et al, 2006). Fenugreek fiber significantly increased satiety and reduced energy intake (Mathern et al, 2009). Lupinus albus L. used is the dried sweet white lupine seeds belonging to the leguminosae family. Lupin (Lupinus spp.) seed improve the livestock production efficiency (Van Barneveld, 1999). Lupin had a good nutritional quality; alpha-galactoside-free lupin that can be used as an excellent dietary source for the preparation of dietetic products (Porres et al, 2006). Exogenous enzyme products could lead to lupin non-starch polysaccharides being used as an energy source for poultry (Hughes et al, 2000 and Sami et al, 2010)

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