IMPACT OF MACA (Lepidium meyenii) TREATMENT ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE, LITTER SIZE AND MILK YIELD OF RABBIT DOES OF DIFFERENT BREEDS.

Abstract

Most rabbit breeders suffer some problems during summer season such as fertility and litter size as well as increase feed costs. Litter size at birth and weaning are important economic traits, which determine the number of kits for future breeding programs and life-time productive. This experiment aimed to study the impact of Maca (Lepidium meyenii) capsules administration on body weight, feed consumption and milk yield of rabbit does as well as number of litter size, pre-weaning mortality and litter weight. Thirty-six rabbit does, from the breeds of V-line, New Zealand white and Bouscat, with 12 of each. They were divided equally into two equal groups of each breed. In the 1st group, rabbits were fed a commercial breeder ration without any supplementation, while the 2nd group were fed the commercial breeder ration and received daily oral does 500 mg Maca capsule/doe before mating by one week. All does were re-administered with the same dose after three days from parturition for one week (day per day), then re-mated directly for the second and third parties. The traits measured were body weight and feed consumption of rabbit does. Also, number of litter size, litter weight, the pre-weaning mortality and the milk yield were recorded as well. The obtained results revealed that the body weights of V-line and NZW rabbit does after treating and birth were significantly (P≤0.01) reduced than that of the Bouscat, while the means of daily and total feed consumption were not affected by rabbit breed. The litter size at birth (LSB) of NZW and Boscuat rabbit does were significantly (P˂0.01) higher than those of V-line, while the highest value of litter weight at weaning (LWW) were recorded in V-line, followed by NZW, while the lowest one was recorded in Bouscat. The body weights and daily feed consumotion of treated rabbit does were not effected by Maca capsules, while during lacatation period were significantly increased than those of the control.The litter size at 7, 14 and 21 days of rabbit does treat with Maca capsules were significantly increased, while those at LSB and LSW were insignificantly increased compared with control group. No significant effect on milk production and litter weight at birth, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days in the treated group compared with control. There were no significant effects due to the interaction between rabbit breed and Maca treatment on the body weights, daily feed consumption, litter size, litter weight and milk production. From these findings could be concluded that the administration M aca capsules to rabbit doe increased the litter size at 7,14 and 21 days, while LSB, LSW, milk production and litter weight at birth, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days were not influenced.