Effect of some Growth Promoters on Performance and Proximate Chemical Analysis of New Zealand Rabbit

Abstract

Rabbit meat provides a good source of high-quality animal protein with low fat content, it is considered a functional food. This study aimed to determine the growth performance, carcass traits, and chemical quality of New Zealand White rabbit meat breeding treated with different growth promoters. Therefore, 40 apparently healthy New Zealand White male rabbits, 5 weeks of age, were allotted to 4 equal experimental groups. The first group was kept as a control group, the second group included rabbits fed ad libitum supplemented with a beta-glucan 2.0 g/kg diet, The third group comprised rabbits that were injected twice intramuscular of boldenone undecylenate (5 mg/kg body weight) with 3-weeks intervals, the fourth group included rabbits that injected intramuscular of 40 µg/kg body weight estradiol day by day for 30 days. The obtained results revealed that the treated groups with growth promoters had a significant increase (P<0.05) in growth performance (total body weight gain and daily weight gain) and dressing percentage. Administration of boldenone undecylenate resulted in a significant increase (P< 0.05) in protein content in their meat compared to the control group. Rabbits injected with estradiol show a nonsignificant effect (P> 0.05) on dressing % or protein content of meat. Rabbits feed on a beta-glucan-supplemented diet show the highest carcass dressing percentage. Further studies were challenging food investigators for the rabbit meat treated with hormonal growth promoters to study their residues and their impact on consumer health.