The effect of vitamins A and D on the protein balance in the body of young rabbits

Abstract

In feed for farm animals, the most expensive component is protein. To increase the intensity of its metabolism, fat-soluble vitamins are included in the feed of herbivorous animals. The effect of vitamins A and D on the balance of protein (nitrogen) in the body of young rabbits was studied by classical methods in a series of exchange (balance) experiments in the Department of Fur Animal Husbandry and Rabbit Breeding of the V. A. Afanasyev Scientific Research Institute of Fur Farming and Rabbit Breeding. From 12 heads of young rabbits of the Soviet Chinchilla breed at the age of 45 days, 3 groups of 4 heads each were formed according to the principle of analogues. Rabbits of the 1st - control group received full-fledged granular mixed feed (PGK) without additives, vitamin A was added to the mixed feed of rabbits of the 2nd group at the rate of 500 IU per 100 g, vitamin D was added to the mixed feed of the 3rd group at the rate of 150 IU per 100 g of mixed feed. As a result of three balance experiments, it was found that the groups practically did not differ in the amount of digested nitrogen. The excretion of nitrogen in the urine was stable, without significant differences in the groups. Thus, the addition of synthetic vitamins A and D to the diet does not affect the intensity of protein metabolism in young rabbits. The indicator of daily nitrogen deposition in rabbits aged 45-74 days is quite stable, on average 1.5 g per head. The percentage of nitrogen deposition to the accepted one is on average 49.55. The deposition of nitrogen in the body of young rabbits to the digested nitrogen of the diet is quite high – 76.5%, which indicates the rational use of protein by rabbits for plastic needs.