Document Type : Original Article
Author
Animal and Poultry Production, Faculty Of Environmental Agricultural Science, Arish University.
Abstract
ABSTRACT: This study examined the effects of giving Moringa oleifera leaves (MOLM) in diets on growing rabbits raised under heat-stress circumstances on growth performance, blood biochemical changes and carcass characteristics. Seventy-two weaned New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits weighing 700 ± 10 g were randomly divided into four treatment groups. The first group (control) was fed a baseline diet. Second, third, and fourth treatments were fed on diets containing 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5% of MOLM. Daily feed and water consumption were provided ad libitum. Body weight, weight gain, and feed intake were tracked as growth performance. after 8 weeks three rabbits from each treatment were randomly chosen, starved for 18 hours, and then slaughtered to evaluate carcass attributes. Blood samples were obtained to measure the biochemical blood changes, cortisol, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine levels. The results showed that the rabbits fed diets containing MOLM had significantly (P≤0.05) better body weight, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio. Also, MOLM-fed rabbits had higher carcass weight and dressing percentage than the control group. In contrast, meals containing MOLM reduced ALT, AST, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol and increased total protein, albumin, globulin, and HDL-cholesterol. in addition, the control group had the highest cortisone and lowest T3 and T4 levels.
Conclusively, this study showed positive effects on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and biochemical blood indicators were seen when rabbits were fed diets containing 2.5, 5.0, or 7.5% Moringa oleifera. In addition, It may also help the animals' capacity to deal with high temperatures.
Keywords
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