Purple wheat as a source of anthocyanins and its effect on the metabolism of rabbits

Abstract

The effects of feeding rabbits a diet that includes wheat enriched with anthocyanins were examined in this study. In addition to the animal’s performance, the basic carcass yield indicators and the basic indicators of the clinical biochemistry were also evaluated. The experiment was carried out using 18 HYLA female rabbits. The trial was performed at the age of 42 to 103 days. The experimental group (n = 9) received a pelleted feed mixture containing 15% PS Karkulka wheat. The control group (n = 9) received a pelleted feed mixture containing the common wheat variety Vanessa with a minimal anthocyanin content. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the control and experimental group in the live weight on the 103<sup>rd</sup> day. The same trend was found in the average weight gain per trial and in the feed conversion ratio. The average feed consumption was higher (P < 0.05) in the control group compared to the experimental group. There was also a higher (P < 0.05) carcass weight in the control group of the rabbits compared to the experimental group. There were no differences in the percentage carcass yield between the groups. The biochemical indicators and antioxidant activities did not differ between the two groups of rabbits (P > 0.05). Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the use of 15% PS Karkulka wheat in the feed ration for HYLA broiler rabbits was safe and may be fed to broiler rabbits.