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Performance and immune function of growing rabbits as affected by vitamin C and E through the summer season
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Abstract: Forty New Zealand White rabbits about 5 weeks of age and 650 g average initial body weight, were assigned to four experimental groups (ten rabbits each). Rabbits were randomly placed in individual wire cages.
Rabbits were fed a commercial diet containing 17% crude protein (CP) and 2700 Kcal digestible energy (DE) and orally supplemented with vitamins as follows: 0 supplementation as control group (1), 20 mg vit. C, 10 mg vit E and 20 mg vit. C + 10 mg vit. E/animal/day for groups 2, 3 and 4, respectively.
Maximum and minimum temperature degrees and relative humidity were recorded daily out and indoor during the experimental periods (8 weeks). Experiment was conducted during summer season (June-July, 2001) with an average temperature ranging between 35 and 21 ?C and 75% of relative humidity indoor and ranging between 36 and 20 ?C and 73% of relative humidity outdoor.
Body weight and feed intake were recorded biweekly, body gain and feed conversion were calculated. Rectal temperatures (RT) and respiration rate (RR) were measured biweekly. By the end of the experimental period, blood samples were taken for haemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Ht), total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), cholesterol, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), pyruvic transaminase activity (GPT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and alkaline phosphatase assays. White blood cells differential and carcass traits have been done for four rabbits from each group.
Results showed that vitamins supplementation improved significantly (P<0.05) body weight, body weight gain and feed/gain ratio compared to the control group, while no significant differences between vitamin groups.
There were no appreciable effects for vitamins C and/or E on carcass traits, but great improvements were noticed for, Ht, Hb, GOT, GPT, TP, Alb, globulin and lymphocytes type due to vitamin Supplementation. A significant reduction were recorded for cholesterol, RR, RT, BUN and Alk. Phos. with vitamins groups compared to control group. -Supplementation of vit. C and Vit. C + E recorded the best albumin/globulin ratio (Alb/glob) compared to other groups. It is easy to conclude that those two vitamins are essential in enhancing the immune system especially these data due to their roles as antioxidants and provide protection against toxicity of heavy metals and wide spread environmental pollution.
Keywords: Rabbits, vitamin C,E, summer, season.
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| Publication year |
2002
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| Availability location |
معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى - الجيزة
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| Availability number |
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| Organization Name |
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| Country |
Egypt
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| serial title |
Egyption Journal Agricultural Research
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| Volume |
80
. 2
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| Department |
Rabbit, Turkey and Water Fowl Research Department
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| Author(s) from ARC |
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| Agris Categories |
Animal physiology - Nutrition
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AGROVOC
TERMS |
Ascorbic acid.
Immunity.
Performance testing.
Rabbits.
Seasons.
Summer.
Vitamin e.
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| Publication Type |
Journal
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