Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Rabbit Res. Department, Anim. Prod. Res. Inst., ARC, Ministry of Agric., Egypt.
2
Anim. Prod. Res. Instit., Agric. Res. Cent., Egypt
3
1- Rabbit Res. Dept., Anim. Prod. Res. Ins., Agric. Res. Center, Egypt
4
Animal Production Research Inst., Agric. Res. Cent., Egypt,
5
Rabbit Res. Dept., Anim. Prod. Res. Ins., Agric. Res. Center, Egypt
Abstract
The current investigation began at a private rabbitry farm in Qalyubia province, Egypt's during winter season. The study aimed to investigate the Saussurea lappa effects on productive performance, digestibility and biochemical blood of weaning rabbits. Sixty male California rabbits, aged 6 weeks and weighing an average of 591.03±11.9 g were divided randomly into four equal treatments. Supplementation of Saussurea lappa extract (costus roots) (SLE) was supplemented in drinking water for 3 days weekly until 12 weeks of age. Gp0 group was served as control, while, Gp1, Gp2 and Gp4 groups were received 100, 200 and 400 mg SLE/kg BW, respectively.
Results showed that significant increase (P≤0.05) in the combined final and gain weights of the Saussurea lappa treated group compared to the control and improved FCR. Interestingly, Gp4 recorded the highest final LBW and the best FCR. Levels of TP, Alb, Glo, AST, and ALT were nearly normal in rabbit's oral receiving water that had been gradually supplemented with an aqueous extract of costus roots. Aqueous extract of costus roots caused a significant reduction (P≤0.05) in serum TC, TG and LDL-c while, elevated HDL-c. On the other hand, urea and creatinine recorded insignificant levels. Saussurea lappa extract oral administration in drinking water significantly boosts the immunoglobulin levels (IgG and IgM), TAC and decreasing MDA and SOD were evident in the Saussurea lappa administered rabbits relative to the control group. Antibacterial activity of aqueous extract of costus roots at the three concentrations tested against total bacterial count (TBC), Salmonella, E. coli, Proteus and Clostridium was more significant than that of the control group. Interestingly, the antibacterial activity is increased by increasing the concentration of Saussurea lappa. However, the Gp4 recorded a low bacterial count of E. coli, Salmonella, Proteus, and Clostridia but a high count of TBC.
In conclusion, oral administration of Saussurea lappa did not cause any adverse effects on growth performance, serum parameters and effective on bacterial count. Additionally, Saussurea lappa had the best profitability (Highest final body weight).
Keywords
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