Growing Rabbit Diets Research Articles

Impacts of enzymes and probiotic in improving the utilization of sieved olive pulp meal in growing rabbit diets

Impacts of enzymes and probiotic in improving the utilization of sieved olive pulp meal in growing rabbit diets

The feasibility of partial replacement of berseem hay by spent mushroom (Pleurotus osteratus) substrate in rabbit diets on growth performance, digestibility, caecum fermentation, and economic efficiency

ABSTRACTNowadays, agricultural by-product disposal is a major concern. The mushroom by-products could be used as an alternative feed source in rabbit diets. Therefore, partial replacement of berseem hay (BH) with spent mushroom substrate (SMS) was conducted in four experimental groups as follows: 0, 20, 40, and 60% of SMS. Forty weaned New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits at 6th weeks of age with an initial body weight of 520.25 ± 70.01 g were fed the experimental diet for 8 weeks. The results showed that ash content and cell wall constituents in SMS were higher than in BH, while the other nutrient compounds in SMS were lower than in BH. Dietary SMS at a level of 60% increased the final body weight (p = 0.05) and feed conversion ratio (p ≤ 0.05). However, average daily gain and total feed intake were not affected by treatments. The replacement of SMS at levels of 40 and 60% significantly improved nutrient digestibility and total digestible nutrient value. SMS 60% decreased (p = 0.040) faecal N and improved (p = 0.006) retained nitrogen. The SMS replacement increased caecum length (p = 0.001), and full and empty caecum weight (p = 0.001 and 0.021, respectively) compared to the control. The SMS inclusion caused a decrease (p = 0.021 and 0.007) in the pH and NH3-N concentrations, respectively. Total VFA, acetic acid, butyric acid, and propionic acid proportions increased with the dietary inclusion of SMS in a level-dependent manner. Using SMS as a replacement for BH in growing rabbit diets reduced the total feed cost, and consequently improved net revenue, economic efficiency, and relative economic efficiency.

Use of zinc oxide nanoparticles in the growing rabbit diets to mitigate hot environmental conditions for sustainable production and improved meat quality

BackgroundThis study evaluated the modulatory effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) supplementations on the productive performance, blood biochemistry, carcass criteria, and meat quality of White New Zealand rabbits reared under hot conditions. A total of 125 White New Zealand male rabbits (body weight, “650 ± 11”, 30 days old) were assigned to five treatment diets: basal diets supplemented with ZnO-NPs at 0, 20, 40, 60, or 80 mg/kg for 60 days. Each treatment was replicated 25 times with one rabbit each.ResultsThe body weight (BW), BW gain, and feed intake linearly increased with zinc oxide nanoparticle supplements. Supplementation of ZnO-NPs at 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg/kg significantly improved (linear, P < 0.05) the feed conversion ratio compared to the control group. Moreover, supplementation of ZnO-NPs at these inclusions 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg/kg significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the serum cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, and urea compared to control group. The lipid oxidation was lower, and the water holding capacity of rabbit meat was improved (P < 0.001) in rabbits fed on 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg/kg ZnO-NPs supplemented diets compared to control.ConclusionThe results suggested that dietary supplementation of ZnO-NPs (20–80 mg/kg) can mitigate the negative impacts of heat stress on rabbit performance and health. Its supplementation improved growth performance and meat physicochemical properties, and blood biochemistry parameters of White New Zealand rabbits.

Evaluation of Olive Leaves and Pomace Extracts in Growing Rabbit Diets on Productive Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Carcass Characteristics, Antioxidant Status and Economic Efficiency

This study aimed to detect how supplementing olive leaves extract (OLE) and olive pomace extract (OPE) to growing rabbit diets has affected productive performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass characteristics, antioxidant status, and economic efficiency. At 42 days of age, 75 APRI growing rabbits were separated into five groups, 15 rabbits each. Control (without additives), OLE1 (200ppm of OLE), OLE2 (400ppm of OLE), OPE1 (200ppm of OPE), and OPE2 (400ppm of OPE) were the experimental diets. Throughout the trial, we computed feed consumption and increase in body weight on a weekly basis. Compared to the control group, the body weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio of rabbits fed OLE or OPE were significantly (P&lt;0.05). The digestibility coefficient of crude protein-enhanced significantly (P&lt;0.05) in rabbits fed OLE or OPE than in control rabbits. In addition to using OLE or OPE, the percentage of the carcass was improved dramatically (P&lt;0.05). Total antioxidant capacity, Superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels were significantly (P&lt;0.05) raised with OLE or OPE, while malondialdehyde levels were lowered. In conclusion, supplementing rabbit diets with 200 or 400ppm of OLE or OPE enhanced productive performance and antioxidant status without any negative effect on their health.

Evaluation of oregano leaves and plant bioactive lipid compounds as feed additives for growing rabbits: Effects on performance, nutrient digestibility, serum metabolic profile and carcass traits

This study evaluated oregano leaves and their plant bioactive lipid compounds (PBLC) as feed additives for fattening rabbits. A total of 200 30-day-old weanling California male rabbits (average body weight [BW] 543 ± 15 g) were divided into two experimental groups and used in two separate experiments. Each experimental group included 100 animals which were assigned to five dietary treatments (n = 20 per treatment, each replicate consists of one animal) that included oregano leaves at concentrations of 0 (control group), 3, 6, 9, and 12 g/kg diet during the first experiment, whereas oregano PBLC concentrations during the second experiment were 0 (control), 46, 92, 138, and 184 mg/kg diet. The experiments lasted for 60 days. The PBLC concentration of oregano leaves was 15.3 g/kg and the dietary inclusion levels of PBLC were calculated to reflect their concentration in oregano leaves. Dietary oregano leaves and their PBLC improved BW, BW gain, and feed conversion ratio compared with the control group for both experiments. Furthermore, in other groups than the control group, the nutrient digestibility effectively responded to oregano leaves and their PBLC. Interestingly, faecal ammonia concentration, cholesterol blood concentration, urea and creatinine, enzyme activity of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, and glutamic pyruvic transaminase were decreased by supplemental oregano leaves and their PBLC to rabbits’ diets compared with the control group. Oregano leaves and their PBLC improved the dressing percentages and decreased perirenal and scapular fat. Hence, our investigation demonstrates that oregano leaves and their PBLC can be used as an effective feed additve to improve growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, and liver and kidney functions as well as reduce faecal ammonia concentration and serum cholesterol of growing rabbits. The best performance and health status were observed in growing rabbits that received oregano leaves at 9 g/kg and at oregano PBLC concentration of 138 mg/kg. The results suggest that oregano leaves can be included in growing rabbit diets at 9 g/kg without requiring the extra cost of PBLC extraction.

Comparative Study of Curcumin and Garlic Extracts as Antioxidants in Growing Rabbit Diets on Productive Performance and Antioxidant Status

Comparative Study of Curcumin and Garlic Extracts as Antioxidants in Growing Rabbit Diets on Productive Performance and Antioxidant Status

Navel orange peel hydroethanolic extract as a phytogenic feed supplement: impacts on growth, feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and serum metabolites of heat stressed growing rabbits

Currently, using agricultural wastes in animal production has gained worldwide interest. Hence, herein, an eight-week trial was performed to explore the effects of supplemental navel orange peel extract (NPE) on the growth, feed utilization, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant, and hematological parameters of heat-stressed rabbits. In total, 75 weaned rabbits were randomly assigned into five groups. The first group was reared in the winter (mild weather) and fed an untreated pelleted diet (W-NPE-0; control). The other four groups were reared in the summer (hot climate) and fed the control diet fortified with 0 (S-NPE-0), 250 (S-NPE-250), 500 (S-NPE-500), or 1000 (S-NPE-1000) mg NPE/kg diet. The results indicated that thermal-stressed rabbits (S-NPE-0) had significantly lower feed intake, growth performance, hematological indices, serum lipid profile, and antioxidative status, but higher lipid peroxidation compared to the W-NPE-0 group. However, the highest final weight and feed intake were recorded in the S-NPE-1000 group compared with the S-NPE-0 group. Also, supplemental NPE in the growing rabbit diet, especially the S-NPE-1000 group, enhanced the hematological and antioxidative indicators. In conclusion, NPE supplementation in growing rabbit diets could be used to efficiently mitigate the detrimental effects of chronic temperature stress on performance, hematobiochemical features, and oxidative stability.

Sun-dried Azolla leaf meal at 10% dietary inclusion improved growth, meat quality, and increased skeletal muscle Ribosomal protein S6 kinase β1 abundance in growing rabbit

Rapidly growing human populations and the increased need for high nutritive value meat in terms of low fat, high protein, and low sodium content are the driving reasons for the increase in rabbit meat production. However, dietary protein alternatives to sustain rabbit meat production, without competing with humans for strategic crops are needed. Therefore, the current study was conducted to investigate the effect of Azolla leaf meal (ALM) as a dietary protein source on growth performance, meat quality, and abundance and activation of Ribosomal protein S6 kinase β1 (p70S6K1), a downstream target of mammalian target of rapamycin signalling pathway and, thus, a key player in the regulation of protein synthesis and muscle mass. For this purpose, 60 weaned male V-Line rabbits were blocked for the initial BW and randomly allotted into four dietary treatments, with 15 replicate per treatment (n = 15/group) as follows: (1) CON group was fed on basal diet contains 0% of ALM, (2) AZ10 group fed on diet containing 10% ALM, (3) AZ20 group fed on diet containing 20% ALM, and (4) AZ30 group fed on diet containing 30% ALM. Rabbits were raised individually, and the experimental period was 42 days. At the end of the experiment, rabbits were euthanised and blood and skeletal muscle samples were collected. Body weight and BW gain were the highest in AZ10 group (P = 0.01), while feed intake was the highest in AZ30 (P = 0.01), feed conversion ratio was the lowest in AZ10 and highest in AZ30 (P = 0.01). Dressing % was the highest in AZ10 and lowest in AZ30 groups (P = 0.01). Muscle cross-sectional area was low in both AZ20 and AZ30 groups compared to CON (P = 0.01). The lysine concentration of Longissimus lumborum muscle increased (P = 0.03) while isoleucine tended to decrease in AZ10 vs CON (P = 0.09). The phosphorylation ratio of skeletal muscle p70S6K1 increased in AZ10 and AZ20 groups (P = 0.05). Therefore, ALM could be included in a growing rabbit diet, up to 10%, while higher doses negatively alter production performance, meat quality, and feed efficiency of growing rabbits.

Zinc and/or Selenium Enriched Spirulina as Antioxidants in Growing Rabbit Diets to Alleviate the Deleterious Impacts of Heat Stress during Summer Season.

Simple SummaryHeat stress in summer season impairs growth and causes heat-induced physiological stress in rabbits. Zinc acts as an antioxidant stress agent by inhibition of oxidation of macromolecules such as DNA as well as inhibition of inflammatory response, eventually resulting in the down-regulation of reactive oxygen species production. Selenium is a powerful biological anti-oxidant mineral. Spirulina is comparatively confined extreme protein (55–65%) and comprised all important amino acids, has wellbeing assistances, immuno-stimulatory influences and antiviral activity and ensured the capability to diminish heat stress impacts. In the current work, effects of dietary supplemental zinc and/ or selenium enriched spirulina (100 mg Zn-Sp/kg diet, 0.5 mg Se-Sp/kg diet or 100 mg Zn-Sp+ 0.5 mg Se-Sp, respectively) as antioxidants on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, plasma biochemicals and antioxidant status of New Zealand White growing rabbits under summer conditions were evaluated. The findings showed that the supplemented diets enhanced growth performance of rabbits at marketing, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and total antioxidant capacity and reduced thio-barbituric acid reactive substances. Finally, dietary supplementation of 100 mg Zn-Sp, 0.5 mg Se-Sp or their combination could improve growth performance, nutrients digestibility and antioxidant status of heat stressed growing rabbits.Effects of dietary supplemental zinc and/ or selenium enriched spirulina (Zn-Sp, Se-Sp and Zn-Se-Sp, respectively) as antioxidants on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, plasma biochemicals and antioxidant status of growing rabbits under summer conditions were evaluated. A total of 160 New Zealand White male rabbits at six-weeks-old were randomly assigned to four groups. The first group received untreated diet (control). The other groups received diet supplemented with 100 mg Zn-Sp/kg diet, 0.5 mg Se-Sp/kg diet or 100 mg Zn-Sp+ 0.5 mg Se-Sp, respectively. The findings showed that the supplemented diets enhanced growth performance of rabbits at marketing. Rabbits fed Zn-Sp exhibited high dry and organic matter digestibilities while those fed Zn-Sp and Zn-Se-Sp diet supplemented achieved high crude protein digestibility. Rabbits fed diet supplemented with Zn-Se-Sp gave the highest hot carcass weight when competed with their counterparts. Zn-Sp and Zn-Se-Sp supplemented diets tended to promote dressing percentage. Low concentrations of plasma total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol were recorded by Se-Sp and Zn-Se-Sp groups. Rabbits fed Se-Sp, Zn-Se-Sp had the greatest HDL, plasma TAC and catalase and the lowest TBARs. Conclusively, dietary supplementation of 100 mg Zn-Sp, 0.5 mg Se-Sp or their combination could improve growth performance, nutrients digestibility and antioxidant status of heat stressed growing rabbits.

Dietary Supplementation of Rauvolfia Vomitoria RootExtract as A Phytogenic Feed Additive in GrowingRabbit Diets: Growth Performance and Caecal MicrobialPopulation

Phytogenics are natural plant-based substances used effectively in animal health and nutrition to improve livestock’s...

Weight for weight replacement of wheat offal with cassava root sievate in growing rabbit diet

A ten week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the dietary effect of Cassava Root Sievate (CRS) based diet on the performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters and carcass characteristics of weaner rabbits. Forty-eight (48) crossbred, 7 weeks old weaner rabbits were used in the feeding trial in a completely randomized design. The CRS replaced wheat offal at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30%, respectively resulting in seven dietary treatments, respectively. No significant (P&gt;0.05) difference was observed between the rabbits fed the CRS and control diets in all the performance indices except the daily and final body weight. Weight gain however decreased significantly (P&lt;0.05) as the CRS level increased in the diet. The treatment effect was significant (P&lt;0.05) with the highest crude protein, crude fibre and dry matter digestibility values recorded for the rabbit in the control group. Daily energy intake and retained, digestible energy, metabolizable energy and gross energy were similar (P&gt;0.05) across treatments. Biological value and apparent nitrogen digestibility were significantly (P&lt;0.05) decreased with increased CRS level. Blood serum metabolites of the rabbits were also positively (P&lt;0.05) influenced by the treatments. The carcass characteristics showed significance (P&lt;0.05) in terms of carcass yield percentage with 20% CRS treatment group having the highest carcass yield percentage. It was concluded in this study that CRS could be included in weaner rabbit diets up to 20% without compromising performance, carcass yield, digestibility and nutrient utilization.

Dietary supplementation of growing rabbits with lemongrass (Cymbopogon citrates) extract: effects on performance, nutrient digestibility, anti-oxidative status, immune response and carcase characteristics

The effect of including lemongrass extract powder (LGEP) as a phytogenic herbal extract supplementation for growing rabbits on productive performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters and carcase characteristics were evaluated. One hundred twenty unsexed V-Line rabbits, with 35 days age and 802 ± 47 g weight, were used. Rabbits were divided equally into four treatments to be fed on basal diet as a control diet without lemongrass inclusion (LGEP0) or with the inclusion of LGEP at 2 g (LGEP2), 4 g (LGEP4) or 6 g (LGEP6) per kg diet. Feeding LGEP did not significantly affect final body weight, weekly weight gains, feed consumption or feed conversion ratio. Moreover, no significant effect of supplementing rabbit diets with LGEP was observed on all apparent nutrient digestibility. The LGEP4 treatment decreased (P<.05) blood malondialdehyde, while LGEP contained treatments increased blood immunoglobulin G concentration as well as spleen relative weight (P<.01) compared to the control treatment. Although LGEP inclusion levels did not significantly affect productive performance traits, the studied LGEP treatments may help to enhance the anti-oxidative status and relative immune response of growing rabbits. HIGHLIGHTS The effect of supplementing lemongrass extract powder (LGEP) to growing rabbits was evaluated. The inclusion of LGEP by 4 g/kg tends to improve growth performance, carcase and digestibility values. The studied lemongrass treatments enhanced the anti-oxidative status and relative immune response of growing rabbits. LGEP could be used as a natural phytogenic feed additive in the growing rabbit diets.

Blood profile of growing rabbits fed roasted solvent extracted castor seed meal

Sixteen growing rabbits with mean initial body weight of 750g were used in a feeding trial that lasted 56 days. The animals were randomly allotted into four (4) dietary treatment groups consisting of four (4) animals per group. Each treatment groups was replicated twice with individually housed rabbit per replicate.Thefourdietarytreatmentscontained0,0.5,1.0and 1.5% replacement levels of roasted-solvent extracted castor seedmeal (RSECSM) for soyabean in a completely randomized design experiment. The parameters investigated were haematological and serum indices. At the end of the feeding trial, blood samples were collected from the animals through the heart (left side) for haematology and serum indices. Eight (8) growing rabbits at the rate of two (2) animals per treatment were stunned and sacrificed for the blood collection. Data obtained were subjected to one way analysis of variance. The results show that feeding of RSECSM to growing rabbits did not show any significant (p&gt;0.05) effecton PCV, Hb and RBC while the inclusion of RSECSM at graded dietary level had significant (p&lt;0.05) effect on the WBC, WBC counts and Platelets. The WBC values ranged from 11025.0014900.00 while the values for platelets ranged from 72500.00 – 30500.00 respectively. Among the leukocyte differential counts examined lymphocytes, monocyte and eosinophil were significantly (p &lt;0.05) different among the dietary treatments, however neutrophil was not significantly (p &gt;0.05) different among the means. The serum indices such as total protein, albumin, globulin, creatinine examined were not significantly(p &gt;0.05) affected by the dietary treatment except the cholesterol. The results of this study indicated that 1.5% inclusion levels of RSECSM in the growing rabbit diet affect some haematological parameters while it appears to be the optimum level for serum indices.

Effect of Adding Sodium Nitrate without or with some Feed Additives in Growing Rabbit Diets on: 1. Growth Performance and Economic Efficiency

Ninety, 7 weeks of age weaning New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits with similar average live body weight (745 g) were used in this study. Rabbits were randomly distributed into 10 equal groups (each group contains 9 animals) and housed in separate cages (3 rabbits in each). The experimental groups were fed randomly on one of the 10 formulated experimental diets used. Sodium nitrate addition for these diets was at two levels. The first level was 0.0 % of the total mixed diet for diet 1 (R1), diet 2 (R2), diet 3 (R3), diet 4 (R4) and diet 5 (R5), while the second level was 2 % of the total mixed diet for diet 6 (R6), diet 7 (R7), diet 8 (R8), diet 9 (R9) and diet 10 (R10). The diets R1 and R6 were without feed additives, while the four feed additivees which were used, sodium sulphate (0.2 % of the total mixed diet), bentonite (clay) (2.0 % of the total mixed diet, yeast (0.25 % of the total mixed diet) and prebiotic (0.2 % of the total mixed diet) for diets R2, R3, R4 and R5 respectively and also, in diets R7, R8, R9 and R10 respectively. The main results showed that live body weight was higher with feeding on R1, R4. R5, R9 and R10 (1199, 1104.0, 1149, 1114 and 1142 g, respectively) than feeding on the other experimental diets. The average daily gain from 7 to 14 weeks were higher when feeding on the control without NaNO3 (R1) (24.48 g/h/d) or added yeast or prebiotic as shown in R4 or R5 (22.54 and 23.46 g/h/d, respectively) and with feeding on NaNO3 with added yeast or prebiotic (R9 or R10) (22.73 and 23.32 g/h/d, respectively) than the others R2 or R3 or R6 or R7 and R8 diets, being 21.87, 20.69, 22.09, 20.10 and 22.38 g/h/d, respectively. The average DMI from 7 to 14 weeks of age when feeding the experimental diets was ranged from 89.96 g/h/d with feeding on R7 to 93.55 g/h/d with feeding on R6. The average feed conversion ratio (FCR) from 7 to 14 weeks was the highest when feeding on R2, R3, R4, R6, R7, R8 and R9 (4.25, 4.49, 4.09, 4.25, 4.33, 4.02 and 4.09 g DMI/g DG, respectively), while the lowest ratio values were with feeding on R1 and R10 (3.81 and 3.99 g DMI/g DG, respective). The relative economic efficiency from R1 of the experimental diets were 76.16, 63.73, 77.25, 68.73, 76.77, 58.29, 76.01, 78.04 and 66.37 % for R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10, respectively. Conclusively, the present study showed that the live body weight was higher with feeding on diet without NaNO3 or without feed additives (R1) or with added yeast (R4) or prebiotic (R5) or with NaNO3 and with added yeast (R9) or prebiotic (R10). In general, feeding these feed additives need some trials to adjust the economic efficiency.

Effect of Adding Sodium Nitrate without or with some Feed Additives in Growing Rabbit Diets on: 2. Nutrients Digestibility, some Caecum Fermentation and some Blood Constituents

Thirty, 14 weeks of age New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits with an average live body weight (LBW) of 2.0 Kg were divided into 10 similar groups (3 in each). The rabbits were housed in a separate cage (3 rabbits in each). Ten pelleted experimental diets were contained two levels of sodium nitrate (0 and 2%). However, the other four tested feed additives were sodium sulfate (0.2%), clay (2%), yeast (0.25 %) and prebiotic (0.2%). Diets refers to as R2, R3, R4 and R5 were without sodium nitrate, but with feed additives, sodium sulphate, clay, yeast and prebiotic, respectively. While, diets R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 were with sodium nitrate and R6 without feed additives but R7, R8, R9 and R10 were with the same feed additives, sodium sulphate, clay, yeast and prebiotic, respectively. The DMI g/d was higher with feeding on R1 and R8 than feeding on the other diets, but the DM digestibility was higher with feeding on R1 and R7 than the others. The DCP % was higher with feeding on R1, R2 and R7, DCF with R2, R5 and R8, DEE with R1, DNFE with R1, R3, R4, R6 and R9, TDN % was higher with feeding with R1, DCPI g/d with R1, R5 and R7, TDNI g/d with R1, DE Kcal/Kg was higher with feeding on R4 and R9, DEI Kcal/d with R1 and R4, DEI/DCPI increased with feeding on R4, R6 and R9­. The effect of the feed additives, also showed that the total VFA increased (p < 0.05) without feed additives or with added Na2SO4 or clay (2.85, 2.98 and 2.63 ml. eq/100ml, respectively) than added prebiotic (2.37 ml. eq/100ml). The highest values were observed with feeding on R1­ (3.3 ml. eq/100ml), R2 (3.07 ml. eq/100ml) and R7 (2.90 ml. eq/100ml). The highest values of NH3 concentrations were observed with feeding on R3 and R8 diets (32.20 and 32.85 mg/100ml respectively) than the feeding on the other experimental diets. There was no significant effect on the blood constituents as the effect of the experimental diets. The glucose concentration was higher (130 mg/100ml) with feeding on R9 than other diets. Protein concentration was higher with feeding on R4 or R10 (6.73 and 7.00 g/100ml, respectively) than the others. Urea - N concentration was the highest with feeding on R7 (60.83 mg/100ml), while the creatinine concentration was increased (2.60 mg/100ml) with feeding on R9 compared with the other diets. The foregoing results, it was clear that the DCPI g/d was higher with feeding on R1, R5 and R7, TDNI g/d was higher with R1, DE Kcal/Kg was higher with feeding on R4 and R9, DEI Kcal/d with R1 and R4, DEI/DCPI increased with feeding on R4, R6 and R9­.

Effect of substituting alfalfa hay with graded levels of fennel and basil straws in growing rabbit diets

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of replacing alfalfa hay with graded levels of fennel and basil straws in the diets of growing rabbits aged from 5 to 11 weeks. Eighty-four unsexed, weaned New Zealand white rabbits, aged 5 weeks, were randomly assigned to seven dietary treatments (12 rabbits/treatment): A control diet; three diets the basil hay substituted for 25%, 50% and 75% of alfalfa straw; and three diets the fennel hay replaced 25%, 50% and 75% of alfalfa straw. Results obtained showed that replacement of alfalfa hay with 25 % fennel straw significantly reduced average daily gain compared with the other experimental treatments, while no significant difference was observed among the other experimental treatments during the stage 5-8 week. On the contrary, the animals fed diets contained 25 % fennel straw gave significantly higher average body weight gain compared with the other experimental groups and no significant differences were observed among the other experimental treatments during 8-11 weeks. Regarding body weight gain during the total period from 5 to 11 weeks of age, the result indicates that no significant differences among all treatments were detected. The values of FCR showed no significant differences within all tested groups. Rabbits group fed B50% recorded the highest significant digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, TDN and DCP when compared to all groups. Levels of basil straw and fennel straw in rabbit diets induced an insignificant effect on hemicellulose. There were higher dressing and hot carcass percentages were recorded with rabbits fed B50%. Plasma values of total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol or Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentration were not significantly affected due to adding basil straw and fennel straw to rabbit diets. Replacement alfalfa hay with fennel and basil straw resulted in decrease feed cost. Rabbits fed B25% showed higher economic efficiency percentage compared to the other treatments. The results revealed that using basil straw and fennel straw at 25% in growing NZW rabbit diets had no detrimental effects on productive performance, the physiological and biochemical status and it could be used economically instead of alfalfa hay.

Using Bagasse as a natural adsorbent for aflatoxins in rabbit diets

Thirty males growing White New Zealand (WNZ) rabbits of Aged 4 weeks with initial mean weight (750±50g) were divided into 5 equal groups were kept under the same managerial conditions were conducted to determine the effect of feeding dietary bagasse as a source of natural dietary fiber and to adsorbent for aflatoxins or natural contamination in rabbit diets and to evaluate of using dietary bagasse on growth performance of rabbits. The results obtained were : Group fed basal diet supplemented with bagasse at level 6% (T3,) recorded the best LBW (2279.2g) followed by group fed diet supplemented low dose of AFs+ bagasse at level 6% (T5) being (2177.5 g) ,meanwhile, group fed basal diet (control ) (T1) was the worst one being (2087 g) ; group fed dietary bagasse at level 6% and low dose of AFs (75.0ppb) (T5) achieved significantly (P<0.05) the highest (TG) value(1402.0 g) ; rabbits group fed 6% bagasse and groups fed 6 % bagasse with Low aflatoxin dose (75.0ppb) significantly (P<0.05) consumed TFI less than control and other experimental groups ; No significant differences (p < 0.05) were found among TFCR and Adsorption abilities ranged from 94.63-98.10 % the highest adsorption capacity was observed when using 6 % bagasse and 3 hr shaking time at low TAF concentration , while the lowest value of binding was obtained at level 3% bagasse and 1 hr shaking time and high TAF concentration. The study concluded that using dietary 6 % bagasse with Low aflatoxin dose (75.0ppb) in growing rabbit diets significantly improve growth performance and have Adsorption ability at low TAF concentration

Possible Protective Effects of Black Seed (Nigella Sativa) or Garlic (Allium Sativum) Against Lead-Induced Toxicity in growing rabbits

The role of Nigella sativa seed (NSS) and garlic as dietary additions for enhancing growth performance and detoxification of dietary lead acetate in New Zealand White rabbits were studied. Rabbits were classified into nearly 6 similar groups in their average body weights: first and second groups served as positive and negative controls, third and fourth groups received lead acetate plus either Nigella sativa seed or garlic, respectively. Fifth and sixth groups received only Nigella sativa seed or garlic, respectively. The obtained data revealed that final body weight, daily body weight gain, efficient of feed consumed and performance index of rabbits decreased significantly (p≤0.05) in the negative control group (G2), which received 0.5% lead acetate. All these traits were slight improved in group 3 and 4, and significantly improved (p≤0.05) in group 5 and 6 of rabbits when compared to the negative control group. Biochemical parameters showed significant (p≤ 0.05) increase in levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, aspertate amino transferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), urea and creatinine, as well as, significant decrease (p≤ 0.05) in level of total protein and albumin in the negative control group. In groups 3, 4 , 5 and 6 of rabbits levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, AST, ALT, urea and creatinine decreased significantly (p≤0.05), as well as, levels of total protein and albumin increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) when compared to the negative control group. Groups 5 and 6 of rabbits that received only Nigella sativa seed or garlic with the basal diet showed no significant differences in digestability coefficient, as well as in panel test. On the other hand the weight of kidneys, liver and heart as % of live body weight increased significantly by lead acetate. After eight weeks, liver samples were collected and analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) contents. Lead acetate exposure significantly (p≤0.05) increased MDA (lipid peroxidation biomarker) and reduced the GSH levels and the GST and GPx activities. Concurrently supplemented NSS or dry garlic significantly (p≤0.05) decreased MDA levels and restored the GSH, GST, and GPx contents successfully. The residue of lead in liver, kidneys and muscles reduced significantly by additives. The % of mortality rate was not affected in all tested groups during the experimental period. In conclusion, the addition of 2 % Nigella sativa seeds or 0.8 % dry garlic to growing rabbit diet was safe and practical method to minimize the lead toxicity in rabbit diet.

SYNERGIC EFFECT OF ADDING OR COMBINING EITHER RAW OR EXTRACTED PHYTOGENIC FEED ADDITIVES WITH PREBIOTIC ON PRODUCTIVE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL TREATS OF GROWING NEW ZEALAND WHITE RABBITS

A total number of ninety mixed sex growing New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits at age of 5 weeks and weighting 532 g were assigned randomly into six treatment groups, three replicates per treatment and 5 rabbits/replicate to study the synergic effects of combining either turmeric (as raw single phytogenic source) or Biostrong®510 (as purified extracted mixed phytogenic source) with mannan oligosaccharides; MOS (as prebiotic) on rabbit productive and physiological performance. The experimental period lasted for 8 weeks. The treatments were fed basal diet as control (C), basal diet plus 0.3 % turmeric (TU), basal diet plus 0.05 % Bio-mos® (BM), basal diet plus 0.015 % Biostrong® 510 (BS), basal diet plus 0.05 % Bio-mos +0.3 % turmeric (BM+ TU) and basal diet plus 0.05% Bio-mos +0.015 % Biostrong (BM+ BS). The study included the evaluation of growth performance, carcass traits, microbial examination, haematological indices, blood constituents, meat quality, histopathological and economical efficiency. The results revealed thatincrease body weight and body weight gain among all supplementation. The groups fed diets supplemented with either BM+TU or BM+BS recorded significantly higher body weight and body weight gain compared with control. The body weight gain increased significantly for groups fed BM+TU or BM+BS by 12.90 and 12.23%, respectively over control. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) improved significantly among all feed additives compared to control. Combining BM+TU or BM+BS improve FCR by 20.26 and 17.10 %, respectively compared to control. Also, dressing and total edible part percentage significantly increased for rabbits fed BM+TU or BM+BSmore than control by 11.11 and 8.52 % for dressing % and 6.95 and 6.76 % for total edible part %, respectively. Significant decreased observed in malondialdehyde value in meat for treatments TU and BM+TU compared to control and significant increase in glutathione peroxidase activity in treatmentsBM and BM+TU compared to control. Significantly increment in meat protein and significant reduction in meat cholesterolwere observed among all treatments compared to control. The lowest meat cholesterol value recorded by BM+BS and TU treatments. All feed additives recorded significantly reduction in pathogenic bacteria and significantly increased in beneficial bacteria. The economic evaluation showed improvement in relative economic efficiency by combining BM with TU or BS and achieved 138% and 131%, respectively. Conclusively, all feed additives were significantly improvement the productive and physiological treats for growing New Zealand white rabbits. Adding BM+ TU or BM + BS to growing rabbit diets recorded significantly the best value of productive and physiological treats and the higher economic efficiency compared to control.

Impacts of Enriching Growing Rabbit Diets with Chlorella vulgaris Microalgae on Growth, Blood Variables, Carcass Traits, Immunological and Antioxidant Indices.

Simple SummaryUsing Chlorella vulgaris (CLV) as an immunomodulatory agent and antimicrobial activity to promote the immunity system has been reported in some previous studies. Our work investigated the impacts of dietary CLV supplementation on growing rabbit diets in terms of growth performance, carcass traits, hematobiochemical variables, immunity responses, and antioxidant status. Results showed that the CLV supplementation can positively affect the health status aspects of growing rabbit.This work aimed to explore the effects of dietary supplementation of Chlorella vulgaris (CLV) on the growth performance, carcass traits, hematobiochemical variables, immunity responses, and the antioxidant status of growing rabbits. A total number of 100 rabbits were randomly distributed into four treatment groups, each of five replicates (25 rabbits/group). The experimental groups were as follows; control: a basal diet without supplementation, CLV0.5: basal diet + 0.5 g chlorella powder/kg diet; CLV1.0: basal diet + 1.0 g chlorella powder/kg diet, CLV1.5: basal diet + 1.5 g chlorella powder/kg diet. Live body weight (LBW), cumulative body weight gain (CBWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not affected by dietary CLV supplementation. Platelet count (PLT), hematocrit (HCT), means corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values were significantly increased in the CLV0.5 group compared with the other treatment groups. Dietary supplementation of CLV (1.5 g/kg diet) significantly reduced the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity. The concentrations of serum triglycerides and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) were lower (p < 0.05) in the CLV-treated groups than those of the control. Supplemental CLV at all experimental levels gave the best values of immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM) and glutathione activities. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were lower in the animals that received CLV in their diet than those of the control group. Dietary supplementation of 1.0 g CLV/kg had the potential to enhance immune responses and antioxidant status, as well as reduce blood lipid accumulation. Therefore, it could be concluded that CLV supplementation to growing rabbit diets can improve the health status.