Egyptian Rabbit Science Association (ERSA)Egyptian Journal of Rabbit Science1110-259429120190101INFLUENCE OF INGESTION OF NANO-SELENIUM ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, ANTIOXIDATIVE AND MUTAGENICITY STATUS IN SOMATIC CELLS OF NEW ZEALAND WHITE RABBITS1214567110.21608/ejrs.2019.45671ENJournal Article20180805<em>Heat stress is one of many problems facing the modern rabbit production. This study was planned to ascertain the effect of ingestion of different sources of selenium on alleviation of heat stress in growing rabbits, productive Performance, mutagenicity in somatic cells and oxidative status in rabbits was used as indices for the study. A total number of 60 unsexed weaned New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits, aged 6 weeks and averaged 660±3 gm of body weight were randomly distributed into four experimental groups (15 rabbits of each). The first group was used as a control and received orally 2ml of saline solution every day, while the 2nd, 3rd and 4th groups were received orally selenium three sources of nano, organic and inorganic, respectively, at level of 0.3 mg/kg body weight every day using stomach tube. The experiment continued for 6 weeks. The sources of selenium were dissolved in 2ml of saline solution. Heat stress was induced by exposure of all rabbit groups to a temperature of 38 °C for 4 hours daily.</em><br /> <strong><em>The results demonstrated that</em></strong><em> heat stress significantly depressed body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, empty carcass (%), dressing % and abdominal fat weight, while feeding nano-Se or organic form clearly alleviated these negative effects of heat stress as compared to those fed inorganic Se form and control groups. Also, heat stress caused increase in chromosomal aberrations, as well as it decreased the total nucleic acids and protein contents. In addition, nano and organic selenium treatments caused to decrease in all studied parameters relative to heat stress compared to those of inorganic Se form and control groups. In addition, ingestion of nano and organic source of selenium by rabbits caused significant improvement in total antioxidant capacity in blood and alleviated the negative effects of heat stress via reducing the malondialdehyde content in blood. </em><br /> <strong><em>In conclusion,</em></strong><em> feeding of nano and organic source of selenium enhance productive performance of rabbits by improving the antioxidative properties under heat stress. This effect could be due to their ability in decreasing frequencies of chromosomal aberrations and decreasing total nucleic acids and protein contents. The use of nano-Se or organic Se form appeared to be more significant than inorganic Se in alleviation the undesirable effects of heat stress. </em><br /> <strong> </strong>https://ejrs.journals.ekb.eg/article_45671_b6f7f25e5bd97834d77da55d84f562e5.pdfEgyptian Rabbit Science Association (ERSA)Egyptian Journal of Rabbit Science1110-259429120190101GENETIC EVALUATION OF SOME DOE, LITTERAND LACTIONTRAITS OF NEW ZEALAND WHITE RABBITS23434567210.21608/ejrs.2019.45672ENAmiraEl-DeghadiAnimal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.Journal Article20190824<em>Data collected on 765litters produced from 261 does and 69 sires of New Zealand White for five consecutive years<strong>.</strong> The data </em><em>of doe traits (DBW = doe body weight, DPE = doe production efficiency), litter traits (LSB = litter size at birth, LSW = litter size at weaning, LW1, LW2, LW3 and LW4 = litter weight at 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup> week and 4<sup>th</sup> week of age respectively, litter gain traits (LG1= litter gain from birth to 1<sup>st</sup> week, LG2= litter gain from birth to 2<sup>nd</sup> week, LG3= litter gain from birth to 3<sup>rd</sup> week, LG4= litter gain from birth till to 4<sup>th</sup> week of age resp.) and lactation traits (MY1, MY2, MY3 and MY4) = milk yield during the 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> week respectively, milk conversion ratio (MCR1, MCR2, MCR3 and MCR4 = milk conversion ratio from kindling till 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> week respectively (g litter gain per g of milk suckled during 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> weeks respectively of lactation).Heritability for doe traits were low (0.05 for DBW and 0.08 for DPE);h<sup>2</sup> were low ranged from 0.01 to 0.06 for litter size (LSB and LSW); from 0.0 7 to 0.20 for litter weights. </em>
<em>The trend was the same in the case of both litter gain and milk traits. The highest repeatability R<sup>2</sup>estimates (0.74 and 0.76) were obtained for DBW and MCR4. R<sup>2</sup> estimates for other studied traits tended to be low to moderate in magnitude and ranged from 0.01 to 0.20 for litter traits and ranged from 0.14 to 0.40 for milk traits.</em><em> The ranges of transmitting ability were 248.29 and 0.234 grams for DBW, DPE; ranged from 0.297 to 880.54 grams for litter traits, ranged from 0.383.22 to 416.29grams for milk yield, finally ranging from 0.584 to 5.06 % </em><em>for </em><em>milk conversion ratio from kindling till 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> week respectively.</em><em> The percentages positive transmitting ability estimates were 48.41 and 47.52% for doe traits, ranged from 46.37 to 52.99% for litter traits and ranging from 33.63 to 46.50% for lactation traits. The ranges of transmitting abilities estimates for top 25% of animals were 121.28 and 0.117% for doe traits, ranged from 0.124 to 0.841% for litter traits. The rank correlation was negative, moderate and highly significant between DBW and DPE were generally </em><em>positive, moderate and high for litter sizes and litter weights traits and ranged from 0.22 to 0.94. The same trend between litter traits and litter gains except between LSB and LG2 and LSB and LG3 were 0.09 and -0.17 resp. The values of rank correlation of lactation traits were negative, positive, moderate or high and characterized by highly significant</em><em>. Generally the values of genetic trend were varied and increased by increasing years for all traits under studies; the higher values were for LSW, LW4, LG4, MY1, MY2 and MRC4.</em>
<strong><em>Conclusively, </em></strong><em>although the heritability of doe, litter and lactation were low or\and moderate, it appear to be within the range of values notified in the literature; and suggest that genetic selection must be done considering a higher number of related animals and more accurate statistical methods of selection for doe, litter and lactation in rabbits. So genetic evaluation and continuous selection for economic traits is very useful to increase its productive and reproductive performance. This will help the rabbit's producers' to increase their production and profits.</em>
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<strong> </strong>https://ejrs.journals.ekb.eg/article_45672_ae0f4d7a8ad9dace57dd9786d35eb62f.pdfEgyptian Rabbit Science Association (ERSA)Egyptian Journal of Rabbit Science1110-259429120190101PERFORMANCE OF GROWING RABBITS FEDDIETS CONTAINING FENNEL SEED MEAL WITHOUT OR WITH ENZYME MIXTURE.456045673ENWalaa AttiaSalamaAnimal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, El-Dokki, Giza, Egypt.AmiraRefaieAnimal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.MohamedEl-ShoraAnimal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.Journal Article20190824<em>This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of substitution with</em><em> fennel seed meal (FSM)</em><em>instead of clover hay in rabbit diets supplemented</em><em> without or with enzyme mixture(Natuzy meat rate of 0.35 g/ kg diet)</em><em>on growing rabbit performance,</em><em> digestion coefficient, carcass traits</em><em>, blood parameters and economic efficiency. Seventy five APRI weaned rabbits (six weeks old, with average initial weight 697.7 ± 11.20 g)</em><em>were randomly assigned to </em><em>five</em><em> groups, each had 5 replicates of 3 rabbits</em><em>. The growth trail lasted for 8 weeks. Experimental diets were as follows; 1- A control, 2 and 3 were 20% and 40% FSM instead of clover hay without enzyme mixture,4 and 520% or 40% FSM instead of clover hay with enzyme( Natuzy meat rate of 0.35 g/ kg diet), respectively.</em>
<strong><em>Results could be summarized as follows: </em></strong>
<em>1- </em><em>Final body weight, daily weight gain and</em><em> feed conversion ratio were not differed significantly between the control and 20 or 40% FSM with enzyme. Also, increasing FSM level of the diet without enzyme supplementation results in gradual decrease in values of the corresponding variables, as well as, carcass and dressing percentages. Daily feed intake was not significantly affected by dietary treatments. Feed conversion was significantly improved with feeding rabbits on control and FSM with enzyme diets compared with those fed 40% FSM without enzyme. Digestion coefficients of</em><em> crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract, nitrogen free extract and nutritive value in terms of DCP, TDN and DE</em><em> did not significantly differed between the control</em><em> and 20 or 40 % FSM with enzyme diets</em><em>.</em>
<em>2- </em><em> Serum total protein, albumin and creatinine</em><em> values did not significantly differed between groups</em><em>. However, values of serum globulin, AST, ALT and total cholesterol </em><em>were significantly affected by dietary treatments without clear trend. However, the control group consistently gave higher values. </em>
<em>3- </em><em>Net monetary return was increased with feeding rabbits o</em><em>n diets containing fennel seed meal (FSM) with enzyme.</em>
<strong><em>Conclusively</em></strong><em>, it is concluded that </em><em>fennel seed meal</em><em> can be used in growing rabbit diets up to 10.8% of the diet (40% replacement from clover hay) with Natuzyme fortified</em><em> enzyme to reduce feed costs without adverse effects on growth performance of rabbits</em><em>.</em>
<strong> </strong>https://ejrs.journals.ekb.eg/article_45673_84957b6970e91634edf508e696fefa3e.pdfEgyptian Rabbit Science Association (ERSA)Egyptian Journal of Rabbit Science1110-259429120190101FACTORS AFFECTING MILK PRODUCTION AND USING APPLICATION SELECTION INDICES TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVE TRAITS OF DOES IN NEW ZEALAND WHITE RABBITS.61784567410.21608/ejrs.2019.45674ENAmiraEl-DeghadiAnimal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.Journal Article20180906<em>This study was carried out on 765 litters of New Zealand White(NZW)rabbit breed and extended for about 5years to study some factors affecting milk traits. The effect of season of kindling on milk production was higher significantly during most of the weeks of the study and total milk yield. The insignificant effect of parity on milk production and the milk yield during 1<sup>st</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup> week and total milk yield but increased gradually with the advancement of parity from 1<sup>st</sup> to 3<sup>rd</sup> parity and decreased for other parities. Increasing the litter size from 3 to 9 was associated with a significant increase for milk production during 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup>, 4<sup>th</sup> week and total milk yield. Teats number were significant in milk yield during most of weeks and total milk yield of the study. Genetic correlation between litter size at birth and litter weight were positive and high and ranging from 0.48 to 0.66.Genetic correlations between litter size at birth and litter weight at weaning were low while the phenotypic correlations were positive and high and ranging from 0.34 to 0.74.</em><em>Selection indices for litter and milk traits were constructed incorporating litter size at birth (X<sub>1</sub>), litter size at weaning (X<sub>2</sub>), litter weight at birth (X<sub>3</sub>), litter weight at weaning (X<sub>4</sub>) and pre-weaning mortality (X5), </em><em>milk yield during the 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> week (X<sub>1</sub>, X<sub>2</sub>, X<sub>3</sub>, X<sub>4</sub>)and </em><em>total milk yield (X<sub>5</sub>) </em><em>to improvement of productivity of does of New Zealand White rabbits. Relative efficiencies(R<sub>IH</sub></em><em> ) in litter traits were high for I<sub>1 </sub>(based on five traits) to other indices </em>
<em>Relative efficiency(R<sub>IH</sub></em><em> ) in milk traits were high for I<sub>2 </sub>(based on four traits) to other indices and recommended for use to maximize response and apply selection on this index. The expected genetic gain changes in litter size at birth was low in all of the indices used and ranging from -0.031 to 0.129 young, in litter size at weaning was low and ranging from 0.065 to 0.100 young, in litter weight at birth was moderate or high and ranging 3.71 to 9.34 g, in litter weight at weaning was high and ranging 108.99 to 131.65 g and in pre-weaning mortality was ranging 0.282 to 1.30 young. The expected genetic gain changes were high in </em><em>milk yield during the 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup>,4<sup>th</sup> week and total milk yield and ranging 14.39 to 34.77g, 42.33 to 54.26g, 83.71 to 105.66 g, 10.45 to 32.70 g and 143.60 to 151.76 g. </em>
<strong><em>Conclusively,</em></strong><em> Milk production was higher in winter months than other seasons. For litter traits recommended for use to maximize response and apply selection on index I<sub>1 </sub>(based on five traits).For milk traits recommended for use to maximize response and apply selection on this index, I<sub>2 </sub>(based on four traits).</em>
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<strong> </strong>https://ejrs.journals.ekb.eg/article_45674_064faf99fc233fe18a5a9446b8766920.pdfEgyptian Rabbit Science Association (ERSA)Egyptian Journal of Rabbit Science1110-259429120190101EFFECT OF USING ONION SEED AND MORINGA SEED OIL ON PRODUCTIVE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF GROWING RABBITS UNDER HOT CLIMATE CONDITIONS.79974567610.21608/ejrs.2019.45676ENAdelSayed AhmedRabbit Department., Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Center, EgyptIbrahimFatheyPoultry Nutrition Department., Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Center, EgyptAhmedBealishPoultry Breeding Department, Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Center, EgyptJournal Article20180912<em>A completely random experiment was conducted to evaluate </em><em>onion</em><em> and moringa seed oils or their mixture under climate summer conditions on growth performance, carcass traits, rectal temperature, respiration rate, blood biochemistry, digestibility coefficients, and economic efficiency of growing rabbits, from </em><em>June, to August, 2015.A total of 108 Bauscat rabbits, weaned at 5 weeks of age with an average initial body weight of 528.80 ± 1.49,g were randomly distributed into four experimental treatments (27 rabbits/ each) and each treatment was sub-divided four 3 replicates of nine rabbits each. Rabbits were fed the basal diet either un supplemented or supplemented with 1g onion seed oil/Kg diet, or 1gmoringaseed oil/Kg diet and their combination 0.5 g onion seed oil + 0.5 g moringa oil/Kg diet throughout the whole experimental period which lasted for 3 months. The experimental basal diet was isonitrogenous (CP=17.0 %) and isocaloric (2536 Kcal/Kg DE). </em>
<strong><em>Results obtained showed that</em></strong><em>the percentages of total saturated fatty acids (TSFA) in moringa oil (23.88%) were higher than in onion oil (8.71%). Moringa oil contains a high level of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUSFAs) especially oleic acid (71.43%) than onion oil (8.71%). Total unsaturated fatty acids (TUSFAs), especially PUSFAs (linoleic) in onion oil were higher than that in moringa oil .</em><em>Under the high ambient temperatures final body weight, daily gain and total gain of growing rabbits were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased and feed conversion values were improved with dietary supplementation with either </em><em>moringa</em><em> oil or </em><em>onion</em><em> oil and their mixture compared with those of the control group from 5-17 weeks of age. However, feed intake and </em><em>viability rate were not significantly influenced by experimental dietary supplementations during the experimental periods. Hot carcass weight and dressing % were significantly (P≤0.05) higher for growing rabbits fed diets supplemented with onion oil as compared with those fed the control diet. Dietary either onion or moringa oil and their mixture ameliorated some of the adverse effects of heat stress on rectal temperature and respiration rate. Serum total protein (TP) and globulin (Glb), digestibility coefficients of CP and EE were significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) while, serum total lipids, cholesterol and glucose concentrations were significantly decreased (P ≤ 0.05) due to dietary onion oil only or with moringa oil as compared with the control group. Onion oil plus moringa oil fed group recorded the highest (P ≤ 0.05) net return and best economical efficiency followed by those fed onion oil treatments as compared with the control group. </em>
<strong><em>In conclusion</em></strong><em>, results of the experiment concluded that addition of 1g/Kg diet mixture of onion and moringa seed enhanced growth performance carcass weight and digestibility coefficient of CP, EE and reduced rectal temperature and respiration rate when growing rabbits were subjected to heat stress.</em>
<strong> </strong>https://ejrs.journals.ekb.eg/article_45676_99e3ff8aac606f603936e0043123cb53.pdfEgyptian Rabbit Science Association (ERSA)Egyptian Journal of Rabbit Science1110-259429120190101EFFECT OF USING PRICKLY PEAR AND ITS BY-PRODUCTS AS ALTERNATIVE FEED RESOURCES ON PERFORMANCE OF GROWING RABBIT.991244567710.21608/ejrs.2019.45677ENFawziaAmerAnimal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, El-Dokki, Giza,, Egypt.SamiaMobarazPoultry Nutrition Research Department, Animal Production Research Institute, Giza, EgyptMohamedBasyonyPoultry Nutrition Research Department, Animal Production Research Institute, Giza, Egypt0000-0002-0343-2912KhalidMahrosePoultry Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, EgyptShawkyEl-MedanyRegional Center for Food and Feed, Agriculture Research Center, Giza, EgyptJournal Article20181005<em>The present study aimed to evaluate </em><em>the impact of different levels of dietary replacement of barely by prickly pear fruits (PPF) and peel (PPP) on growth performance, carcass traits and antioxidant status of rabbits. </em><em>A total of 75 weaned male New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits (5 weeks old) with an average initial body weight of </em><em>(</em><em>596.00±13.05 </em><em>g)</em><em> were randomly assigned to five experimental groups (15 rabbits for each)</em><em>. </em><em>Five experimental diets were formulated; the first was used as a control diet (0% PPF and PPP). The other four diets were formulated to replace barley with either PPF or PPP at the levels of 25 and 50%.</em><br /> <em>Results indicated that PPF and PPP are rich sources in vitamins C (2.4, 2.8μg/100g), vitamins E (25, 23μg/100g) and vitamin A (10, 13μg/100g). The </em><em>content of gross energy (GE) in PPF was higher than that of PPP and barley</em><em>.</em><em> The obtained results revealed also that average of BW, BWG, FI and FCR were not affected (P<0.05) by feeding growing rabbits on diet containing either PPF or PPP under each tested level (25 and 50%) compared to rabbits group fed the control diet during (9-13) and (5-13) weeks old. </em><br /> <em>Feeding growing rabbits on diets contained 50% PPF or 50% PPP resulted in noticeable improvement in both average BWG and FCR in comparison to the other experimental groups including the control group during the whole period (5-13 weeks old).</em><em> Digestibility of </em><em>OM, CP, EE and CF</em><em> were not affected significantly by the inclusion of </em><em>PPF (25 and 50%) or PPP (25 and 50%)</em><em>compared to the control group</em><em>.</em><em> Besides, there were insignificant differences in TDN and DE among the control group and the other tested groups contained PPF or PPP under each tested level (25 or 50%)</em><em>. </em><em>Rabbits fed a diet containing 25 and 50% PPP had the lowest (P<0.05) NH3-N concentrations while, rabbits fed 25% PPP supplemented diets had the highest (P<0.05) TVFA value. Rabbits fed diets containing 50% PPF or 50% PPP had heavier (P<0.05) liver, heart and edible giblets compared the control group while, rabbits fed diet containing 50% PPP showed the lowest (P</em><em><</em><em>0.05) abdominal fat and the higher (P</em><em><</em><em>0.05) values of serum antioxidant marker and enzymes (TAC, GSH-Px, SOD and CAT). Plasma triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL concentrations were decreased (P<0.05) while HDL concentration increased (P<0.05) in PPF and PPP supplemented groups compared to the control group.</em><em> The </em><em>inclusion of PPF or PPP in rabbit diets at a level of 25 or 50% improved economical efficiency and net revenue compared to the control group.</em><br /> <strong><em>Conclusively,</em></strong><em> according to the circumstances of this experiment, PPF or PPP could be incorporated in growing rabbit diets up to 50% as a partial replacement of barley, without any significant impairment of the growth performance and to achieve a better antioxidant status of rabbits and higher economic efficiency of diets.</em><br /> <strong> </strong>https://ejrs.journals.ekb.eg/article_45677_2259f8647ec9b79393c8975f04bafab5.pdfEgyptian Rabbit Science Association (ERSA)Egyptian Journal of Rabbit Science1110-259429120190101IMPACT OF PROBIOTIC (Lactobacillus planterium) SUPPLEMENTATION ON PRODUCTIVE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF GROWING RABBITS UNDER EGYPTIAN CONDITIONS1251484818810.21608/ejrs.2019.48188ENAbd El RafieeEl-ShafeiAnimal Production Dept., Faculty of Agric., Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.TarekYounisAnimal Production Dept., Faculty of Agric., Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.MohammedAl-GamalAnimal Production Dept., Faculty of Agric., Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.AbdelrahmanHeshamAnimal Production Dept., Faculty of Agric., Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.Journal Article20181202<em>The aim of this work was to study the effect of probiotic (Lactobacillus planterium) </em><em>supplementation in diet on productive and physiological performance, intestinal microbial examination, histomorphology and economic efficiency of growing rabbits. A total of 36 four weeks old White New Zealand (NZW) rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups with 3 replicates (4 rabbit in each). The first group was fed a basal diet as a control group according to NRC (1977). The 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> groups were fed on basal diet supplemented with 0.25 and 0.5 g of probiotic / kg diet (Lactobacillus planterium 1×10<sup>6</sup> CFU/g), respectively during the experimental period (4-12 weeks of age). </em><br /> <em>The Results revealed that by supplementation of rabbit diets with probiotic (Lactobacillus planterium) has positive effects (P≤0.05) on both body weight and feed conversion ratio. Moreover, the results indicated that there was significant (P≤ 0.05) increase in serum total protein, serum albumin and serum globulin of the treated groups as compared to the control group. </em><br /> <em>Addition of probiotic to rabbit diets caused to improve production of mucus, beneficial microflora count and clearly decreased Escherichia coli count in intestine when compared with control group. </em><br /> <strong><em>Conclusively,</em></strong><em> it can be concluded that probiotic (Lactobacillus Plantarium) at the tested levels can be applied in rabbit rations to improve the productive and physiological performance, as well as, gut health under Egyptian environmental conditions</em>.<br /> <strong> <br /></strong>https://ejrs.journals.ekb.eg/article_48188_b0d7f7bc8950d0577c78c0e261a1c87c.pdfEgyptian Rabbit Science Association (ERSA)Egyptian Journal of Rabbit Science1110-259429120190101INFLUENCE OF REPLACEMENT EGYPTIAN TREE WILLOW (Salix Safsaf) (LEAVES AND SMALL STEMS) WITH BERSEEM HAY ON SOME REPRODUCTIVE OF DOE RABBITS.1491694819110.21608/ejrs.2019.48191ENMohamed Basyony MohamedMahmoudpoultry nutrition animal production research institute Dokki Egypt0000-0002-0343-2912EmanAbd El GawadDepartment of Sheep and Goat Research, Animal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, EgyptRagabDohreigDepartment of A.I Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt.AmalAbd El-SalamDepartment of Poultry Nutrition Research, Animal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt;Journal Article20181207<em>The present study aimed to investigate the effects of replacing Berseem hay by different levels of Salix Safsaf hay on some reproductive and productive traits of doe rabbits and their offspring's, during the pregnancy and lactation periods. Thirty six New Zealand White (NZW) doe rabbits about 6-7 months old (2.990 - 3.150 kg) were randomly allotted between four experimental groups (9 rabbits in each treatment group).The control group was fed a basal diet, which including 34 Kg/100 Kg of Berseem hay(T1); the experimental groups received the basal diet replacement with 10.75, 17 and 23.25 Kg/100 Kg Salix Safsaf hay of (34 Kg/100 Kg) Berseem hay diets (T2, T3 and T4), respectively).The experimental period lasted three cycles. </em><br /> <em>Body weights of does at first week of lactation and at weaning day were (P=0.01 and 0.004) higher in all experimental groups as compared to control group respectively, while the response of does body weights at initial weight, before and after parturition day were insignificantly affected. As well as gestation length (days) was not significant affected by</em> <em>the replacement of tree willow leaves</em><em>.</em><br /> <em>Does rabbits in groupT2 had (P=0.005) higher total feed intake during lactation period in compared with the T1, T3 and T4 group .But, during pregnancy total feed intake was insignificantly affected by replacing Berseem hay by different levels of Salix Safsaf hay. </em><br /> <em>During lactation period weekly and total milk yield were different in treated groups. The improvement of milk yield at 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup> and4<sup>th </sup>of lactation were (P=0.041, 0.005 and 0.05) increased in group T2 compared to the control group and the other experimental groups.</em><br /> <em>Average litter weight at weaning and weight gain (P=0.0015 and 0.01) increased for groups T2 and T3 compared to groups T1 and T4, respectively. The same trends were observed in </em><em>pre- weaning survival rate (%) from birth to weaning age </em><em>fed diets including 25 and 50% Salix Safsaf.</em><em> Replacing Berseem hay in does rabbit diets by Salix Safsaf hay reduced the feeding cost of experimental rabbits.</em><br /> <strong><em>Conclusively</em></strong><strong><em>, </em></strong><em>Salix Safsaf hay can be considered as good source of principle compounds as Berseem hay. The results of the study revealed that all tested levels of Salix Safsaf hay were useful as a natural feed substitution with Berseem hay to maintain productive and could reduce the negative effects of feed cost for does rabbits.</em><br /> <em> </em><br /> https://ejrs.journals.ekb.eg/article_48191_9bc2f2115f8f989345564833838a1726.pdf