Abstract
The dietary chicken egg lysozyme (LZM) at different concentrations was tested on the growth performance, blood health, and resistance against Escherichia coli of growing rabbits. A total number of 48 rabbits averaged 611.25 g (5 weeks of age) of APRI line-rabbits (Egyptian developed line) were allocated into four treatments (three replicates and each contained four rabbits) of 5-week weaning APRI rabbits. The first group was fed a basal diet without LZM supplementation and served as a control group, whereas the remaining groups of rabbits were fed a basal diet supplemented with LZM at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg diet, respectively, for 8 weeks. The obtained results revealed that rabbits fed the basal diet supplemented with different concentrations of LZM linearly (P < 0.05) displayed improved growth performance and reduced feed intake and FCR. The best result was for rabbits fed a 200 mg per kg diet supplemented with LZM, followed by a 100 mg per kg diet. The total count of Escherichia coli and Clostridium count was linearly (P < 0.05) decreased by adding LZM at 100 and 200 mg/kg in the diets compared to the control groups. In contrast, total bacterial count and the total count of Lactobacilli had increased considerably by increasing LZM at different levels relative to the control groups. The LZM supplementation linearly (P < 0.05) increased hematological parameters (RBCs, PCV, Hb, and WBCs) together with an increase in lymphocyte count compared to the control group. The total protein and globulin concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) increased by feeding with LZM. On the other hand, ALT, AST, urea, and creatinine were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased by increasing LZM supplementation. It could be concluded that supplementation of the rabbit's diet with chicken egg LZM was able to improve the growth performance and hematological and serum biochemical parameters compared with the control group. Therefore, LZM is required at the rate of the hobx100-200 mg/kg diet as a potential feed additive and a friendly alternative for antibiotics in rabbit feed.
Highlights
Rabbit meat offers excellent nutritive and dietetic properties for the consumers’ needs as a rich source for animal protein (20– 21%) [1, 2]
The orthogonal contrast revealed that the effect of LZM was significant on the final body weight (FBW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) regardless of the LZM dose (P < 0.05)
One-way ANOVA showed that FBW and BWG were significantly higher by feeding LZM at 50, 100, and 200 mg per kg than rabbits fed the control diet and the group of rabbits that received 200 mg LZM/kg had the highest FBW and BWG
Summary
Rabbit meat offers excellent nutritive and dietetic properties for the consumers’ needs as a rich source for animal protein (20– 21%) [1, 2]. Pursuing intensive production systems with simultaneous attendance of one or multifactorial stressors (environmental, nutritional, and managerial), this caused several negative impacts on the health status and the ability of rabbits to resist infectious diseases. In such cases, antibiotics usually are used to relieve the effects of environmental stressors and contagious diseases on rabbits [4]. Antibiotics have been banned in several countries around the globe because of its harmful effects on human health [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
