Use of Ferula Hermonis and Salvia Officinalis as Growth Promotor for Weaned Rabbits

Khalifa, Walaa Hussein; Danial, Enas N; Elnady, Saad; Shehab El-Din, Mohamed Ibrahim; Kewan, Ahmed; Aboelmaaty, Aml; Hanafy, Emtenan

doi:10.21608/ejvs.2024.307032.2276

Use of Ferula Hermonis and Salvia Officinalis as Growth Promotor for Weaned Rabbits

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ National research center

² Animal production -

³ animal production

⁴ Animal Reproduction and Artificial Insemination Department, National Research Centre, Egypt

⁵ animal reproduction

10.21608/ejvs.2024.307032.2276

Abstract

The post-weaning phase is a critical stage for young rabbits as the shifted feeding from milk to solids results in some digestive disorders and increased susceptibility to disease . Ferula hermonis (FH) and Salvia officinalis (SO) have been reported to improve appetite, intestinal microflora, immune functions, oxidative status, growth and carcass traits when included in animal diets. The current study was to evaluate their effect on post weaned rabbit’s general health, feed intake, digestive enzymes and growth rate. The herbs extract was examined for antioxidant power, total phenolic and flavonoids, antimicrobial activity. Thirty post weaned male NZW rabbits was assigned in three groups (10 each). Control group (G1) fed commercial diet (CD) second group (G2) fed CD and administered the Ferula hermonis Extract (FH) (50 mg/kg body weight) twice weekly for one month. Third group were fed CD and administered the extract of Salvia Officinal (SO) (0.5% of diet) twice weekly for one month. Animals feed intake, body weight were recorded and FER was calculated. Blood samples were takes for chemistry, intestinal and cecal content was examined for microbial count, samples of testis and intestine were histologically investigated. Results revealed that SO and FH showed economic value in rabbit farms as growth promotor, antioxidant, antimicrobial. They proved to be safe on liver and kidney function, improved lipid profile, antioxidant markers. Special care should be taken for the reproductive performance of male rabbits as the chronic administration of FH showed negative impact on testicular development.

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