Enhancing Performance of Growing Rabbits Rearing Under Salinity Water by Adding Different Levels of Vitex Extracts

Abstract

For improving the performance of growing rabbits given salinity water and two levels of aqueous and ethanolic vitex extract, 75 New Zealand White growing rabbits of five weeks old and body weight of 553.00±0.091g were divided equally into 5 treatments. Control treatment was fed control diet. 5 and 7.5g/kg diet of the vitex leaves aqueous extract were supplemented to treatments two and three and 5.0 and 7.5g / kg diet of the vitex leaves ethanolic extract were supplemented to groups four and five for 15 weeks. Blood samples were collected at the end of the experiment for the clinical analysis. Body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly. Carcass characteristics and gut microbiome were determined. Rabbits given saline water and supplemented aqueous and alcoholic vitex extracts had higher (P<0.0001) final body weight. The ethanolic extract reduced (P<0.0001) feed intake and feed conversion. The control had the lowest digestibility coefficient of all nutrient’s digestion coefficients compared to treated groups. Carcass weight (P<0.022), carcass percent (P<0.017), and protein in the meat increased in all supplemented groups with no difference in the internal organs weight, dressing percent, and edible giblets. Vitex extracts (P≤ 0.05) increased total protein (P<0.003), triglycerides (P<0.001), and LDL (P<0.042) but declined ALT (P<0.028). Control group had the lowest cecum pH (P<0.011) and total volatile fatty acids ((P<0.017), high ammonia (P<0.009) and cecum microbial counts (P<0.001). Rabbits supplemented Vitex ethanolic extracts consumed the lowest feed intake and cost associated increased body weight gain with increasing the concentration. In conclusion, growing rabbits bred for meat production can be supplemented either the aqueous or the ethanolic extracts for longer intervals for improving their health, meat composition and reduce the costs.