scholarly journals Supplemental Effects of Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) Leaves on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Blood Biochemistry and Immune Response of Growing Rabbits

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 779-791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moataz Fathi ◽  
Magdy Abdelsalam ◽  
Ibrahim Al-Homidan ◽  
Tarek Ebeid ◽  
Mohamed Shehab-El-Deen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Eucalyptus Camaldulensis ◽  
Bacterial Count ◽  
Feed Additive ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Total Bacterial Count ◽  
Microbial Count ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
High Level

AbstractThis research aimed to study the effect of dietary eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) leaves powder (EL) on growth performance, blood parameters, immune response and caecal microbiota in 84 growing Jabali and V-Line rabbits raised under high environmental temperature. The experiment started at 10 weeks of age and lasted 6 weeks. Rabbits were randomly distributed into three dietary eucalyptus treatments; control (no EL) and two groups supplemented with 0.1% and 0.2% EL powder. Rabbits were weighed at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. Feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were determined. Cell-mediated immune response was evaluated. At the end of the experiment, 54 rabbits were slaughtered (nine rabbits/sub-group). The results showed that the high level of EL (0.2%) had a negative effect on growth performance, dressing %, mid part % and significantly increased cell-mediated response. Rabbits fed the high level of EL showed shortening in caecum length. Significant linear reduction of total bacterial count and E. coli was observed in both groups given either 0.1% or 0.2% EL compared to the control group. Similar trend was found in the percentage of Salmonella sp. detection in both breeds. Jabali rabbits were significantly heavier than V-line rabbits and had better FCR and carcass traits except for fore part %. Additionally, they showed lower total microbial count. The current study indicated that EL could be utilized as an effective feed additive to improve cellular immunity and to reduce caecal bacterial counts in rabbits raised under high ambient temperature.

Effects of feeding Isomaltooligosaccharides on the growth performance, carcass traits and immune response of broiler chickens

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 150-157
Author(s):  
Khalid M. Gaafar
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Broiler Chicks ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Flu Vaccine ◽  
Lipids Profile

The research was conducted to study the effect of feeding broiler chickens on diets containing isomaltooligosaccharides on the growth performance, carcass traits and immune response. 90-one day old broiler chicks were used according to completely randomized two treatment groups and one control, 30 birds each. Birds fed ad-libitum on basal starter and grower-finisher diets for 35 day. Diets of treatment`s groups contained 0.5 g/Kg and 1 g/Kg of Isomaltooligosaccharides, while the control group fed on the basal diets without Isomaltooligosaccharides supplementation. Dietary supplementation of broiler chickens with Isomaltooligosaccharides improved body weight, feed conversion, carcass traits, two lymphoid organs weight and log antibody titer against avian flu vaccine. Most of the highest values were for birds fed low levels of Isomaltooligosaccharides. Feed intake decreases as Isomaltooligosaccharides level increases. Dietary supplementation with Isomaltooligosaccharides did not affect the lipids profile (triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL), however the blood VLDL levels decreased with increased levels of Malondialdehyde and Glutathione reductase. Collectively, Dietary supplementation of broiler chickens with 0.5 g/Kg diet of Isomaltooligosaccharides improved growth performance, carcass traits and immune status.

Effects of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Polysaccharide on Growth Performance and Immune Response of Broiler Chickens

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hosameldeen Mohamed Husien ◽  
JunJie Huang ◽  
WeiLong Peng ◽  
ShuMei Zheng ◽  
JinGui Li
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Moringa Oleifera ◽  
The Body ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Feed Additive ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Tnf Α

Abstract Moringa oleifera (MO) is a widely used as the nutritious and non-traditional feed supplementation containing kinds of bioactive substances. However, the enhancement effect of Moringa oleifera leaf Polysaccharide (MOLP) as a feed additive in broilers growth performance and immunity remains unclear. In this study, MOLP was obtained by water extraction and alcohol precipitation method, then purified with Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) assay. Chickens were randomly divided into 4 groups, to receive different doses of MOLP (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4g/kg) in feed for 3 weeks. The body weight gain (BWG) and feed consumption were recorded for feed conversion ratio (FCR) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) calculation. Broiler chickens were sacrificed and sampled on day 14, 21, 28 (D 14, D 21, and D 28) respectively. Serological indicators, including total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLO), and creatinine (CREA) were detected. ELISA kits were applied for detecting the levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α). From D 21 to D 28, the results showed that middle dose of MOLP significantly increased BWG and ADFI as well as liver and bursa indexes when compared with the control group. In addition, TP and GLO were also increased (P<0.05). All MOLP treatments enhanced the serum concentrations of IgG and IL-2 (P<0.01). Furthermore, results of quantitative RT-PCR showed that high dose of MOLP treatment significantly increased (P<0.001) the mRNA expression levels of IL-2 and TNF-α of chickens relative to the control group. In conclusion, the results showed that MOLP supplementation contributed to improve growth performance and immune response in broiler chickens, and MOLP could be considered as a promising feed additive.

scholarly journals Pengaruh pemberian mikrokapsul probiotik Bacillus cereus P22 dan Staphylococcus lentus L1k pada pakan terhadap kinerja pertumbuhan, respons imun, dan resistensi ikan lele, Clarias gariepinus Burchell 1822 yang diinfeksi Aeromonas hydrophila

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 143
Author(s):  
Lilik Setiyaningsih ◽  
Widanarni Widanarni ◽  
Angela Mariana Lusiastuti3 ◽  
Munti Yuhana
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Cereus ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Aeromonas Hydrophila ◽  
Clarias Gariepinus ◽  
Bacterial Count ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Total Bacterial Count ◽  
African Catfish ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Significant Difference

The aimed of this research was to evaluate the effects of dietary probiotic microcapsules B.cereus P22 and S. lentus (L1k) at different dose and frequency on growth performance, immune response and resistance of African catfish infected with A. Hydrophila. Probiotics used in this study were B. cereus P22 and S. lentus L1k encapsulated by spray draying method. The research was carried out for 56 days with eight treatments and four replications. The treatments were K- (negative control), K+ (positive control), A (feed supplemented with 0,5% of microencapsulated probiotic, fedevery day), B (feed supplemented with 0,5% of microencapsulated probiotic, fed once every three days), C (feed supplemented with 1% of microencapsulated probiotic, fed every day), D (feed supplemented with 1% of microencap-sulated probiotic with an administration once every three days), E (feed with 2% of microencapsulated probiotic with an administration every day) and F (feed with 2% of microencapsulated probiotic with an administration once every three days). On day 42, all of the fish except K- were challenged by intramuscular injection of A. hydrophila (108 CFU ml-1). In 40 days after infection, there were no significant difference on survival rate (SR) between treatments (p> 0.05). Treatment E displayed the higher growth rate (4,54±0,02%), total probiotic B. cereus (P22) and S . lentus (L1k) (4.06± 0.09 log CFU g-1; 4.02±0.08 log CFU g-1) than other treatments; whereas treatment D showed the best feed conversion rasio(1.191±0.013), and treatment F offered the highest total bacterial count (7.11±0.53 log CFU g-1). An administration of 2% microencapsulated probiotic in every day frequency demonstrated the better growth performance, immune res-ponse and resistance of African catfish to A. hydrophila compare with other treatments. AbstrakPenelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji dosis dan frekuensi pemberian mikrokapsul probiotik melalui pakan terhadap kinerja pertumbuhan, respons imun, dan resistensi ikan lele yang diinfeksi Aeromonas hydrophila. Penelitian ini meng-gunakan Bacillus cereus P22 dan Staphylococcus lentus L1k yang telah dienkapsulasi melalui metode spray draying. Penelitian ini dilaksankan selama 56 hari dengan delapan perlakuan dan empat ulangan, terdiri atas perlakuan K- (kon-trol negatif), K+ (kontrol positif), A (pakan+mikrokapsul probiotik dosis 0,5% frekuensi setiap hari), B (pakan+mikro-kapsul probiotik dosis 0,5% frekuensi tiga hari sekali), C (pakan+mikrokapsul probiotik dosis 1% frekuensi setiap hari), D (pakan+mikrokapsul probiotik dosis 1% frekuensi tiga hari sekali), E (pakan+mikrokapsul probiotik dosis 2% fre-kuensi setiap hari) dan F (pakan+mikrokapsul probiotik dosis 2% frekuensi tiga hari sekali). Ikan diuji tantang dengan A. hydrophila pada hari ke 42 dengan kepadatan 108 CFU ml-1 secara intramuscular (kecuali K- diinjeksi dengan phos-phate buffer saline). Setelah 40 hari pascainjeksi, laju sintasan tidak menunjukkan perbedaan yang signifikan antarperlakuan (p>0,05).Perlakuan E menunjukkan laju pertumbuhan (4,54±0,02%) dan total probiotik B. cereus (P22) dan S. lentus (L1k) (4,06±0,09 log CFU g-1; 4,02±0,08 log CFU g-1) tertinggi; sementara perlakuan D memberikan hasil nisbah konversi pakan terbaik (1,191±0,013), perlakuan F menunjukkan total bacterial count tertinggi (7,11±0,53 log CFU g-1). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa dosis 2% yang diberikan setiap hari memberikan hasil yang lebih baik dalam meningkatkan laju pertumbuhan, respons imun, dan resistensi ikan lele terhadap A. hydrophila. 

scholarly journals Preliminary Study on the Effect of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens TL on Cecal Bacterial Community Structure of Broiler Chickens

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuxuan Hong ◽  
Yingxian Cheng ◽  
Yanjuan Li ◽  
Xiaowen Li ◽  
Zutao Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Probiotic Strain ◽  
Feed Additive ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Cecal Microbiota

Probiotics can promote the health and growth performance of animals through modulation of intestinal microbiota. When used as a feed additive, they have the potential to minimize or abolish the use of antibiotics. In this study, we investigated the effect of the probiotic strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens TL on the growth performance and cecum microflora composition in Cobb 500 broiler chickens. In total, 180 broilers were randomly divided into three groups—each group comprised 4 pens, and each pen contained 15 chickens. The three groups were fed either a control diet, or a diet supplemented with either the antibiotic chlortetracycline or B. amyloliquefaciens TL. Broilers were weighed, and cecum contents were collected on days 7, 14, 21, and 35, respectively. The broilers in both the antibiotic and probiotic groups exhibited significant weight gain compared with controls, exhibiting increases of 16.02% and 13.40%, respectively, after 35 days (P<0.01). Similarly, the feed conversion ratio (FCR, 1–35 days) of broilers in the chlortetracycline and B. amyloliquefaciens TL groups was lower than that of the controls. HiSeq high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA of the cecal microbiota was performed on days 7, 14, 21, and 35, respectively. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was higher in the chlortetracycline and B. amyloliquefaciens TL groups than in the control group on days 14, 21, and 35, and especially on day 21. The prevalence of genera Oscillospira, Ruminococcus, Butyricicoccus, and Faecalibacterium (Firmicutes) was higher in the antibiotic and probiotic groups, while that of Bacteroides, Parabacteroides (Bacteroidetes), and Lactobacillus was higher in the control group. In this study, the changes in the microbiota of the probiotic group were similar to those in the antibiotic group. These results suggest that the probiotic strain B. amyloliquefaciens TL can modulate the cecal microbiota of broilers similar to chlortetracycline.

scholarly journals Spirulina (Arthrospira fusiformis) as a potential protein source in practical diets for fry mariculture of Rufiji tilapia (Oreochromis urolepis urolepis)

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-67
Author(s):  
Deogratias P. Mulokozi ◽  
Matern S. Mtolera ◽  
Aviti J. Mmochi
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Salt Water ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Daily Weight Gain ◽  
Feed Additive ◽  
Control Fish ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Feed Conversion

The effects on growth performance, feed utilization, survival and whole fish body proximate composition of replacing fishmeal (Rastrineobola argentea) with a locally available spirulina species (Arthrospira fusiformis) as a protein ingredient in the feed of Rufiji tilapia (Oreochromis urolepis urolepis) fry was examined. Fishmeal replacement with A. fusiformis was carried out at 5%, 15%, 25%, 35% and 100% (S5, S15, S25, S35 and S100), and the effect of the replacement was compared with the control diet (S0, 0% spirulina). Fish fry were stocked at an average initial weight of 0.57 g at 10 fish per 0.1 m3 and cultured for 60 days using full strength salt water (30-35 ppt). A. fusiformis was isolated from Momela Lake in Arusha National Park, Tanzania and propagated using selected culture media. It was observed that fish fry fed spirulina at a 5% fishmeal substitution level diet had better (p<0.05) final weight (8.48), average daily weight gain (0.132), specific growth rate (4.47), feed conversion rate (2.08) and protein efficiency ratio (1.37) compared to the control fish group. Growth performance in fish fed diet S15 was comparable with the control group (p>0.05). Spirulina supplementation had no effect on fish survival rates and meat quality. It appears that the Momella Lake spirulina may be an appropriate growth-stimulating plant protein when used as a feed additive in Rufiji tilapia mariculture. 

scholarly journals The High Level of Xylooligosaccharides Improves Growth Performance in Weaned Piglets by Increasing Antioxidant Activity, Enhancing Immune Function, and Modulating Gut Microbiota

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiaman Pang ◽  
Xingjian Zhou ◽  
Hao Ye ◽  
Yujun Wu ◽  
Zhenyu Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Function ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Beneficial Bacteria ◽  
Α Diversity ◽  
High Level ◽  
Weaning Piglets

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the high level of xylooligosaccharides (XOS) on growth performance, antioxidant capability, immune function, and fecal microbiota in weaning piglets. The results showed that 28 d body weight exhibited linear and quadratic increases (P &lt; 0.05) with increasing dietary XOS level, as well as average daily feed intake (ADFI) on d 15–28, average daily gain (ADG) on d 15–28 and 1–28. There was a linear decrease (P &lt; 0.05) between XOS levels and feed conversion rate (FCR) on d 1–14 and 1–28. Additionally, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) showed a linear increase (P &lt; 0.05), while the malondialdehyde (MDA) level decreased linearly and quadratically (P &lt; 0.05) with the increasing dietary level of XOS. Moreover, the XOS treatments markedly increased the levels of immunoglobulin A (Ig A) (linear, P &lt; 0.05; quadratic, P &lt; 0.05), IgM (quadratic, P &lt; 0.05), IgG (linear, P &lt; 0.05), and anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) (quadratic, P &lt; 0.05) in serum, while the IL-1β (linear, P &lt; 0.05; quadratic, P &lt; 0.05) and IL-6 (linear, P &lt; 0.05) decreased with increasing level of XOS. Microbiota analysis showed that dietary supplementation with 1.5% XOS decreased (P &lt; 0.05) the α-diversity and enriched (P &lt; 0.05) beneficial bacteria including Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Fusicatenibacter at the genus level, compared with the control group. Importantly, linearly increasing responses (P &lt; 0.05) to fecal acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were observed with increasing level of XOS. Spearman correlation analyses found that Lactobacillus abundance was positively correlated with ADG, acetate, propionate, and IgA (P &lt; 0.05), but negatively correlated with IL-1β (P &lt; 0.05). Bifidobacterium abundance was positively related with ADFI, total SCFAs, IgG, and IL-10 (P &lt; 0.05), as well as g_Fusicatenibacter abundance with ADFI, total SCFAs, and IL-10. However, Bifidobacterium and Fusicatenibacter abundances were negatively associated with MDA levels (P &lt; 0.05). In summary, dietary supplementation with XOS can improve the growth performance in weaning piglets by increasing antioxidant capability, enhancing immune function, and promoting beneficial bacteria counts.

scholarly journals Efficacy of a Synergistic Blend of Organic Acids and ß-1,4 Mannobiose on Cecal Salmonella Counts and Growth Performance in Salmonella Challenged Broiler Chickens: A Meta-Analysis

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2988
Author(s):  
Sandra J. A. van Kuijk ◽  
Yanming Han
Keyword(s):  
Organic Acids ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Conversion Ratio ◽  
Feed Additive ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Inoculation ◽  
Feed Conversion

This study aimed at investigating the effect of a functional synergistic feed additive blend, containing organic acids and ß-1,4 mannobiose, on cecal Salmonella counts and growth performance of broiler chickens. A meta-analysis combining 13 individual studies, executed in Salmonella-challenged broilers comparing a control diet with and without the synergistic blend, was performed. Cecal Salmonella colonies and overall growth performance were measured. Raw data from all studies were combined and analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS, taking the within and between-study variation into account. In the first 14 days post-inoculation (DPI), cecal Salmonella was reduced by 0.429 log CFU/g (p = 0.011, n = 10 comparisons from five studies) when feeding the synergistic blend compared to the control group. During 15–34 DPI, the overall means were not different between treatments (0.069 log CFU/g; p = 0.519, n = 12 comparisons from eight studies). The feed conversion ratio was improved when feeding the synergistic blend compared to the control diet (1.474 vs. 1.482, respectively; p = 0.002). In conclusion, feeding a synergistic blend, containing organic acids and ß-1,4 mannobiose amongst other ingredients, reduced cecal Salmonella counts during the first 14 DPI and improved growth performance of Salmonella challenged broilers compared to a control diet.

scholarly journals The effects of enzymes and direct fed microbial combination on performance and immune response of broilers under a coccidia challenge

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Dersjant-Li ◽  
K. Gibbs ◽  
A. Awati ◽  
K. C. Klasing
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Acute Phase Proteins ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Feed Additive ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
And Performance

SummaryThis study evaluated the effect of an enzyme blend (xylanase, amylase and protease; XAP) in combination with a direct fed microbial (DFM) containing three strains of Bacillus spp. on intestinal histology, immune response and performance of broilers. Four dietary treatments were tested in a 2 × 2 factorial trial, including two levels of challenge (without or with coccidial infection), two levels of feed additive (with or without XAP and DFM). Diets were fed ad libitum to male Cobb500 broilers in mash feeds from 1–21 days of age, with eight replicate pens per treatment within brooder-batteries with raised wire floors and built up litter, housing six birds per pen. A mild challenge was introduced by oral gavage at day five to the challenged birds, using a six-fold concentration of coccidial vaccine. A high fibre basal diet formulated with rye and wheat middlings was used to further increase the challenge. Body weight and feed intake were measured and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated during starter (1–12 d), grower (12–21 d) and overall 1–21 days. Intestinal morphology and immune response parameters were measured on day 12 and 21. Compared to the unchallenged groups, the coccidial challenge reduced (P < 0.05) body weight gain (BWG), increased FCR, reduced villus height and increased crypt depth. The challenged birds had increased pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β; P < 0.05) in the intestine as well as higher levels of acute phase proteins (APP, haemopexin and α−1-acid glycoprotein) in the plasma and circulating heterophils. XAP + DFM supplementation improved BWG, reduced FCR and increased energy efficiency compared to the non-supplemented groups. The combination of XAP and DFM reduced inflammatory responses such as APP compared to the challenged control group and maintained performance to a comparable level seen in the unchallenged control. The data indicate that XAP enzymes in combination with Bacillus-based DFM may reduce the damage and performance losses induced by coccidial challenge.

scholarly journals INFLUENCE OF PHYTASE ENZYME ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND SURVIVAL RATE CHALLENGED WITH SAPROLEGNIA SPP. IN COMMON CARP

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 1458-1465
Author(s):  
Fadhal & Mustafa
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Common Carp ◽  
Challenge Test ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Feed Additive ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Daily Growth

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of phytase as a feed additive on growth performance and survival rate against Saprolegnia spp.in common carp, Cyprinus carpio L. A total of 120 C. Carpio (initial mass 20.05-20.35g) were randomly stocked into six treatments in duplicate (10 fish/tank) as follows: T1, T2, and T3 were fed the basal diet supplemented with phytase at 1000, 2000, and 4000 IU/Kg diet respectively, while T4 were fed on basal diet plus β-glugan at a concentration of 8.5 g/kg as well as the control group was fed basal diet without any addition of phytase. Results showed after 60 days of feeding period, that the addition of phytase enzyme was significantly (p<0.05) affected on daily growth (DG), specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in T3 and T2 followed by T4 and T1 compared to control group. At the end of the experimental period (60 days) fish were challenged with Saprolegnia spp. After 15 days of challenge test, the best survival rate was recorded in T3 (100%) followed by T2 (80%) then T1 (70%) respectively. All treatment groups were better than the positive control group which recorded 40 %. Based on these results, this study approved the potency of the phytase enzyme on growth performance and survival rate against the Saprolegniasis in common carp.

scholarly journals Effects of Rocket Seed Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, and Their Mixture on Growth Performance, Feed Utilization, Digestibility, Redox Status, and Meat Fatty Acid Profile of Growing Rabbits

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 662
Author(s):  
Sabrin Abdelrahman Morshedy ◽  
Ahmed M. Abdelmodather ◽  
Mohamed M. Basyony ◽  
Soliman A. Zahran ◽  
Mohamed A. Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Wheat Germ ◽  
Seed Oil ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Feed Utilization ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wheat Germ Oil

Vegetable oils are a source of natural antioxidants, including tocopherols, sterols, phenolic compounds, coenzymes, and polyunsaturated fatty acids that provide nutritional value, organoleptic properties, and significantly delay or prevent lipid oxidation. Eighty-four V-line rabbits at 5 weeks of age with an initial body weight (BW) of 535.60 ± 13.48 g were assigned randomly to four experimental groups (seven replicates in each group with three rabbits each). The first group served as a control and received 0.3 mL/kg BW of distilled water (CON), while the second and third groups received 0.3 mL/kg BW of rocket seed oil (RSO) and wheat germ oil (WGO), respectively. The fourth group received a mixture of oils consisting of 0.15 mL of RSO and 0.15 mL of WGO/kg BW (MOs). The experiment lasted 7 weeks. The study investigated the effects of RSO, WGO, and their mixture on growth performance, feed utilization, antioxidant status, and immune response of growing rabbits. The results indicated that the rabbits that were administered orally with RSO and WGO or their mixture had higher (p ≤ 0.05) final BW, weight gain, and average daily gain when compared to the control group. In addition, the feed conversion ratio improved significantly with RSO, WGO, and MOs treatments. Different oil treatments improved nutrient digestibility, nutritive value, and nitrogen balance. Moreover, the rabbits that received RSO, WGO, and their mixture had an improvement the meat fatty acid composition compared to the control rabbits. Oral administration of RSO, WGO, and their mixture significantly improved serum protein fractions, decreased blood urea nitrogen, and had a positive effect on serum total lipids, HDL-c, and LDL-c. Furthermore, the treatments of RSO, WGO, and MOs had a significant improvement in the antioxidative status and immune response.

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