In order to investigate the effects of some dietary phytoderivates (Origanum vulgare L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L.) with antimicrobial and/or antioxidant properties on rabbit welfare and productive performances a total of 100 New Zealand mixed-sex rabbits were weaned at 30 days of age and immediately split into homogeneous groups submitted to the following dietary treatments: 1) Standard diet (C); 2) Standard diet +150 ppm Vit E (E); 3) Standard diet +0.2% oregano (O); 4) Standard diet +0.2% rosemary (R) and 5) Standard diet +0.1% oregano + 0.1% rosemary (OR). The plant derived ingredients were obtained with an enzyme aided extraction of leaves using water as solvent (Phenbiox). All rabbits were housed individually in flat-deck cages measuring 600 x 250 x 330 mm. Rabbit welfare was evaluated analyzing the natural immune responses by the lysozyme concentration (Lys), serum bactericidial activity (SBA) and hemolitic complement activity (CH) in blood serum; the productive performances were evaluated by measuring individual live weight and feed intake weekly. Blood samples were collected from 10 rabbits/group at 30 days (Time 0) and 80 days of age (Time 1). At 80 days, 8 rabbits/group were slaughtered and the carcass weight were rated. Starting from similar weights at the beginning of the trial, the highest final live weight (2517g OR vs 2408g C, P<0.386) and the best feed conversion ratio (3.52 OR vs 3.62 C, P<0.43) were registered in OR group. The natural immune responses were influenced more by an age-related effect rather than by the diet. Indeed, SBA drastically felt from 30 to 80 days, whereas Lys and CH increased (for all parameters: P<0.05). A diet effect was registered in OR group for the CH which significantly increased at Time 1 vs Time 0 (P<0.05). The CH assay is very useful for assessing the onset risk of infectious disease or the gravity of diseases already in place. The OR diet seems to be able to improve this immune activity.

Plant extracts in rabbit diet: effects on welfare and performance

POLIDORI, Paolo;BEGHELLI, Daniela
2013-01-01

Abstract

In order to investigate the effects of some dietary phytoderivates (Origanum vulgare L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L.) with antimicrobial and/or antioxidant properties on rabbit welfare and productive performances a total of 100 New Zealand mixed-sex rabbits were weaned at 30 days of age and immediately split into homogeneous groups submitted to the following dietary treatments: 1) Standard diet (C); 2) Standard diet +150 ppm Vit E (E); 3) Standard diet +0.2% oregano (O); 4) Standard diet +0.2% rosemary (R) and 5) Standard diet +0.1% oregano + 0.1% rosemary (OR). The plant derived ingredients were obtained with an enzyme aided extraction of leaves using water as solvent (Phenbiox). All rabbits were housed individually in flat-deck cages measuring 600 x 250 x 330 mm. Rabbit welfare was evaluated analyzing the natural immune responses by the lysozyme concentration (Lys), serum bactericidial activity (SBA) and hemolitic complement activity (CH) in blood serum; the productive performances were evaluated by measuring individual live weight and feed intake weekly. Blood samples were collected from 10 rabbits/group at 30 days (Time 0) and 80 days of age (Time 1). At 80 days, 8 rabbits/group were slaughtered and the carcass weight were rated. Starting from similar weights at the beginning of the trial, the highest final live weight (2517g OR vs 2408g C, P<0.386) and the best feed conversion ratio (3.52 OR vs 3.62 C, P<0.43) were registered in OR group. The natural immune responses were influenced more by an age-related effect rather than by the diet. Indeed, SBA drastically felt from 30 to 80 days, whereas Lys and CH increased (for all parameters: P<0.05). A diet effect was registered in OR group for the CH which significantly increased at Time 1 vs Time 0 (P<0.05). The CH assay is very useful for assessing the onset risk of infectious disease or the gravity of diseases already in place. The OR diet seems to be able to improve this immune activity.
2013
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11581/272381
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