PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF GROWING RABBITS FED DIETS CONTAINING DIFFERENT FORMS OF Portulaca oleracea (PURSLANE) AND SUGAR BEET TOPS SILAGES

PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF GROWING RABBITS FED DIETS CONTAINING DIFFERENT FORMS OF Portulaca oleracea (PURSLANE) AND SUGAR BEET TOPS SILAGES

M. M. Shehata*; A. Mousa*; M. E. Emara*and M. I. Tawfeek**

*Institute of Animal Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Dokki, Egypt

**Department of Animal and Poultry Production, Faculty of Technology & Development, Zagazig University, Egypt.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate effects of feeding growing rabbits on diets containing different forms of silage on their productive performance. A total of 80 New Zealand White (NZW) weaned rabbits (5 weeks old) was allotted into 5 nearly equal groups, 16 in each group 8 female and 8 male. Rabbits in the 1^st group were fed on 100% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) and was served as control groups as compared to those fed different forms of silage (30%) including Portulaca oleracea + sugar beet tops (1:1) (P.O. + SBTS), sugar beet tops (SBTS) silage and dried whole Portulaca oleracea (DPO).

Results show that rabbit in all silage groups showed significantly (P<0.05) higher total DM intake than the control group. Digestibility coefficient of CP was higher for POS, PO + SBTS and SBTS groups than the control group. While, rabbit in DOP group was similar to the control group. The differences were significant (P<0.05) only between POS an each of DPO and control groups. Values of OM, CF and NFE digestion were significantly (P<0.05) the lowest in CTS as compared to the other groups. While digestion of EE was not affected significantly by dietary treatment. Rabbits in all groups showed insignificant differences in N-balance, being positive in all groups. Feeding rabbits on silage and dried PO diets did not affect total protein and there fraction  in blood plasma. However, a significant (P<0.05) increase was recorded in globulin concentration. There were no significant differences in LBW and conversion of growing rabbits at all feeding intervals. The effect of dietary treatment on average daily gain (ADG) of rabbits was significant (P<0.05) only during the interval from 11-16 weeks of age, being the highest in SBTS group and the lowest in PO + SBTS group (15.15 and 12.99 g/day, respectively). Most carcass traits were not affected by dietary treatments. Content of DM in rabbit meat significantly (P<0.05) increased in all silage groups than the control group. However, contents of CP, EE and ash did not differ significantly in all silage groups than the control group. Rabbits fed PO silage or PO + SBTS diets lowered total feed costs as compared to the other silage and dried PO groups.

In conclusions, introducing 30% silage and dried whole Portulaca oleracea in diets resulted in increasing growth and economic feed efficiency of rabbits, being the highest for POS and PO+SBTS groups.

Keywords: Rabbit, Portulaca oleracea (dried and silage), growth performance, blood components, digestibility.

INTRODUCTION

In many developing countries, good quality forage may only be available on a seasonal basis suggesting a need for forage preservation as silage or hay. Rabbits have the advantage of utilizing forages and by-products as major diet components, since forages represent an import part of the rabbit diets (Toson et al., 1999). Rabbits are able to consume forages containing higher levels of fiver (Cheeke, 1986).

Silage from topical crops has higher levels of water soluble carbohydrates which make it appropriate for rabbit feeding (Portridge et al., 1985).

In this respect, the results of experiments carried out from 1999 to 2010 (Ezekwe      et al., 1999; Lin et al., 2000; Gart et al., 1999 and Abaza et al., 2010) indicated that Portulaca oleracea (fresh, dried or silage) had high nutritive values and were more palatable compared to other forage by-products. In addition, Portulaca oleracea contain many compounds, including free oxalic acids, omerga-3 fatty acids, flavonoids, polysaccharide and protein compared to the vegetables. Purslane has been used as antibacterial, antifungal and analyesic activity (Chan et al., 2000).

Therefore, the present work aimed to study the effect of feeding rations containing different forms either Portulaca oleracea silage and sugar beet tops silage as well as dried Portulaca oleracea hay on productive performance of growing rabbits.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study was carried out at Sakha Animal Production Research Station, Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Egypt. This work was carried out through the Project Funded by the Council of Agricultural Research and Development.

Animals:

A total number of 80 NWZ growing rabbits having 5 weeks of age was divided into five equal groups, according to their weights, 16 animals in each (8 males and 8 females). All rabbits were individually housed in 30 cages (60 x 50 x 40 cm).

Rabbits in the 1^st group were fed 100% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) and was considered as control group, while those in silage and dried groups were fed on diets containing 70% CFM and 30% silage including Portulaca oleracea silage (POS), Portulaca oleracea + sugar beet tops (PO + SBTS), sugar beet tops (SBTS) and dried Portulaca oleracea (DPO).

Feeding system:

Rabbits in all groups were fed on the tested rations from 5 up to 16 wk of age according to NRC (1994) requirements for growing rabbits. The CFM was composed of different feedstuffs as shown in Table 1. The amounts of CFM for all groups were offered individually at morning. While in silage groups, rabbits were given the calculated amounts of silage afternoon.

Table 1: Composition of concentrate feed mixture used in rabbit feeding.

* One kg premix contains: Vit. A., 15.000 IU; Vit. E 100 mg ; Vit. K3, 21 mg ; Vit. B1, 10 mg ; Vit. B2, 40 mg ; Vit. B6, 15 mg ; Pantothenic acid, 100 mg ; Vit. B12, 0.1 mg ; Niacin, 200 mg Folic acid, 10 mg ; Biotin, 0.5 mg ; Choline, 5000 mg ; Fe 0.3 mg, Mn 600 mg, Cu 50 mg, Co 2 mg, Se 1 mg and Zu 450 mg.

Feeding was biweekly adjusted according to the LBW of growing rabbits. Chemical composition of CFM and different forms of the silage as well as calculated composition of the tested rations are shown in Table 2.

Growth performance parameters:

Live body weight (LBW) and feed intake of growing rabbit during the experimental period were weekly recorded. Then, average daily gain and feed conversion were calculated at different growth intervals (5-10, 11-16 and 5-16 wk of age).

Digestibility trial and nitrogen balance:

Digestibility trial was undertaken at the end of the experimental period (16 wk of age) on four animals (2 males and 2 females) from each group. Rabbits were housed individually in metabolism cages (40 x 35 x 30 cm), which allowed feces and urine separation. The experimental diets were offered daily and fresh water was provided all the time. Feed intake was accurately determined and coprophagy was not prevented. Quantitive collection of urine and feces started 24 hours after offering the daily feed for 5 days as a collection period, then the feces was dried at 60^oC for 12 h. All collected urine or feces for each animal were mixed, then feces were ground for chemical analysis and urine was kept (4-5^oC) for analysis. Chemical analysis of different feedstuffs, feces and nitrogen in urine was determined according AOAC (1980). Values of total digestibile nutrients (TDN) were calculated according to the classic formula described by Cheeke et al. (1982). However, digestibile energy (DE) was calculated according to the equation of Schiemann et al. (1972) as follows:

TDN (%) = DCP% + DNFE (%) + DCF (%) + 2.25 (DEE%).

DE (kcal/kg) = 5.28 (DCP, g/kg) + 9.51 (DEE, g/kg) + 4.2 (DCF + DNFE, g/kg).

Where: DCP, DEE, DCF and DNFE =Digestible CP, EE, CF & NFE, respectively.

Table 2: Chemical analysis on DM basis of concentrate feed mixture (CFM) and different types of silage used in rabbit feeding.

Blood parameters:

Blood samples were collected in heparinized test tubes from the ear vein of five rabbits in each group. Thereafter, blood plasma were separated by centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 15 min and stored at -20^oC until chemical analysis. Concentration of total protein (Gornall et al., 1949), albumin (Weichselaum, 1946) and creatinine (Henry, 1965) as well as ctivity of aspartate (AST) and alanine (ALT) transaminases (Reitman and Frankal, 1957) in blood plasma were determined using commercial kits (Diagnostic system Laboratories, Inc, USA). Plasma globulin concentration was calculated by subtracting concentration of albumin from total proteins.

Slaughter procedure:

Three males from each group were randomly taken and weighed before slaughter. After complete bleeding the head, pelt, viscera, feet, and tail were removed. Eight of carcass (dressed weight) was recorded, then dressing percentage was calculated. Weights of edible and non-edible organs were recorded. Samples from meat from the right caudal side of the carcass were taken for analysis according to AOAC (1980).

Economic feed efficiency (EFE%) was calculated according to the following equation:

EFE% = (A-B/B) x 100

Where:             A = Price of kg gain in Egyptian pound (LE), B = Feed cost per kg gain (LE).

Statistical analysis:

Results were statistically analyzed according to Snedecor and Cocham (1982). However, the significant differences among treatments were tested using Duncan's Multiple Range Test (Duncan, 1955).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Feed intake:

Table (3) show that dry matter intake (DMI) from CFM at all feeding intervals was significantly (P<0.05) higher for control group than those in all silage groups, which was in accordance with the designed feeding system for the experimental groups. However, in silage group, rabbits significantly (P<0.05) increased their intakes from PO + SBTS silage during intervals from 5-11 wk of age and from SBTS during the interval from 11-16 wk of age. This reflected insignificantly (P<0.05) higher intake from PO + SBTS and SBTS silages during the whole feeding interval from 5 to 16 wk of age. Rabbits in all silage groups showed significantly (P<0.05) higher total DMI than the control group. The present results regard to feed intake from different types of silage are similar to that reported by Abd El-Lateif (1996), Shetiefa (1999) and Omara (2005).

Table 3: Average daily DM (%) of CFM and different types of silage intake by growing rabbits during different experimental intervals.

Feed consumption of rabbits depends basically on nutrient contents in accordance with the actual energy need of the animal (Dehalle, 1981) or/and protein and fiber level of its ration (Fekete and Bokori, 1985). The lower intake from dried PO meal, this may be due to unpalatable test of PO as reported by Hassanin and Hassan (1996) and Abaza et al. (2010). These results are in agreement with those obtained by El-Sayed (2001) who found that rats fed diet containing 10% PO significantly increased feed intake compared to those fed diet contained 15% PO.

Digestibility coefficient and nutritive values:

Data in Table (4) show that digestibility coefficient of CP was higher for PO silage, PO+SBTS and SBTS groups than the control group, while rabbits in dried PO group was similar to the control groups. Values of OM, CF and NFE digestion were significantly (P<0.05) the lowest in SBTS as compared to the other groups. While, digestion of EE was not affected significantly by dietary treatment. The observed reduction in digestion of OM, CF and NFE may be attributed to significantly (P<0.05) feed intake from SBTS silage diet during feeding interval from 11-16 wk of age. The present results were similar to those obtained by Abd El-Lateif (1996); Shetiefa (1999); Abou-Ashour et al. (2003) ; Omara et al. (2005) and Abaza et al. (2010) on NZW rabbits fed different types of silage. The present study indicated beneficial effect of inclusion PO silage and dried whole PO in rations of rabbits in term of insignificant differences in nutritive value as TDN as compared to the control diet, however, inclusion  of PO + SBTS silage or SBTS silage only significantly decreased nutritive values as TDN%. On the other hand, nutritive values as DCP% were significantly lower only in PO+SBTS silage and dried whole PO diets as compared to the control group.

Table 4: Digestibility coefficient and nutritive values of PO meal and types of silage.

Blood biochemical parameters:

Feeding rabbits on silage diets did not affect protein metabolism in liver. However, a significant (P<0.05) increase was recorded in globulin concentration which was association with tendency of higher concentration of total protein (Table 5). The normal function of liver in rabbits fed silage and dried PO diets was indicated from the insignificant differences in activity of AST and ALT in plasma. In addition, disappearance of significant differences in concentration of creatinine between all silage groups and control one may suggest normal function of kidney in all groups. So, inclusion different types of silage is in the save side without any harmful effects on liver and kidney function. Similar finding were obtained on NZW rabbits fed on different types of silage by Abd El-Lateif (1996); Shetiefa (1999); Abou-Ashour et al. (2003) and Abaza et al. (2010). Levels of protein in blood may reflect the nutritional status of the animals. Concentration of total protein (TP) and their fractions in blood were affected by feed consumption consequently protein intake (Khalil, 1988 and Abd El-Moty, 1991) and by level of dietary protein (Ayyat, 1991). The significantly (P<0.05) higher total DMI in all silage groups than the control groups (Table 4) was associated with significant differences in nutritive values of different silage rations (Table 5) and insignificant differences in concentration of total proteins and their fractions among dietary groups (Table 5). Such findings may indicate a higher protein utilization for rabbits fed silage diets, particularly rabbits in PO + SBTS silage than the control group.

Concentration of creatinine in plasma did not differ significantly among dietary groups (Table 5).  Increases in creatinine levels in blood of rabbits may cause or induce kidney dysfunction.

The present levels of creatinine may indicate a normal function of kidneys in rabbits of all silage groups. The present activity of transaminases in plasma is within the normal ranges which indicate normal function of liver and heart (Ayyat, 1991 and El-Rahim, 1996). Metwally and Mohsen (1997) reported positive correlation of AST activity and negative correlation of ALT activity with body weight. This may explain the absent of significant differences in activity of transaminases (AST and ALT) in blood plasma of rabbits in all dietary groups (Table 5).

Growth parameters:

Data in Table (6) show insignificant differences in live body weight and feed conversion (FC) of growing rabbits at all intervals although there was a tendency of the heaviest weight for rabbit in PO silage group as compared to the control.

It is interest to the note that the effect of dietary treatment on average daily gain of rabbits was significant (P<0.05) only during the interval from 11-16 weeks of age, being the highest in SBTS silage group and the lowest in PO + CT silage group (15.15 and 12.99 g/day, respectively).

The present values of ASG are similar to those reported by Abd El-Lateif (1996) ; Shetiefa (1999); Abou-Ashour et al. (2003) ; Omara et al. (2005) and Abaza et al. (2010) in growing NZW rabbits fed different types of silage and dried PO diets. Generally, satisfactory growth rates were achieved by rabbits fed on different rations at all intervals (18.87-19.30 g/h/d). Similar valus of ADG were recorded by Abd El-Lateif (1996); El-Sayed (2001) and Abaza et al. (2010) for NZW rabbits fed on diets containing silage and dried whole PO.

Table 5: Average values of some biochemical concentrations and transamineases activity in blood plasma of growing rabbits fed different dietary treatments.

Table 6: Growth performance of growing rabbits fed different dietary treatments at different intervals of the experimental diets.

Carcass traits:

Data in Table (7) show that preslaughter weight and other carcass traits were not affected significantly by silage and dried PO diets as compared to the control group. In agreement with the present results, feeding rabbits on diets containing 20% PO on the expense of soybean meal without any adverse effects on carcass traits 9Abaza et al., 2010). Also, Abd El-Lateif (1996) found no dietary effect on full weight of the digestive tract of NZW rabbits fed SBTS and BS diets as compared to berseem hay diet.

Table 7: Carcass traits of rabbits fed different dietary treatments.

Chemical composition of meat:

Concerning the chemical composition of rabbit meat, content of DM and ash significantly (P<0.05) increased in all silage and dried whole PO groups than the control group (Table 8).

In accordance with the present results Malhate (1992) and Abd El-Lateif (1996) mentioned that feeding NZW rabbits on diets containing silage did not affect meat composition. Generally the present composition is within the normal range reported Gad-Allah (1997) on rabbit meat.

Table 8: Chemical composition of meat samples of rabbits fed different dietary treatments.

Economic feed efficiency:

In comparing of different treatment diets, incorporation of forage in silage and dried whole PO diets resulted in marked reduction in total feed cost, being 78.7, 77.3, 84.3 and 81.4% in PO silage, PO+SBTS silage, SBTS silage and dried PO, respectively, of that in the control group (Table 9).

Table 9: Economic efficiency of rabbits fed different dietary treatments.

The price of LBW was 18 LE/kg, the prices of CFM, POS, SBTS, POS+SBTS and DPO were 2100, 350, 300, 325 and 500 LE/ton, respectively.

The lowest total feed cost of PO silage and PO + SBTS silage groups and higher total weight gain of rabbits fed these rations led to higher EFE% for both groups as compared to the other silage groups as well as the control groups. Similar results were reported by Abdel-Lateif (1996) and Abaza et al. (2010) using different types of silage and dried whole PO.

In conclusion, introducing 30% silage and dried whole PO in diets resulted in increasing growth and economic feed efficiency of rabbit, being the highest for PO silage and PO + SBTS silage groups.

REFERENCES

Abaza, I. M. ; Shehata, M. A. and Abbas, A. A. (2010). Nutritional and biological evaluation of Portulaca oleracea (purslane) as untraditional protein source in feeding growing rabbits. Egypt. J. Nutr. And Feeds, 13(1): 149-163.

Abd El-Latief, A. I. (1996). Effect of treated low quality roughage on rabbits. M. Sc. Thesis, Fac. Agric., Menoufiya Univ., Egypt.

Abd El-Moty, A. K. I. (1991). Effect of reducing eating time on growth performance and some blood constituents of rabbits. Egypt. J. Rabbit Sci., 1: 87-97.

Abd El-Rahim, M. I. (1996). Evaluation of Jock bean (Canavalia ensiformis, L.) as a new animal feed in Egypt. 1. Effect of dietary inclusion of raw or autoclaved Jack been seeds on growth, digestibility and blood parameters of rabbits. Egypt. J. of Rabbit Sci., 6 (2): 167-179.

Abou-Ashour, A. M. ; G. A. Zanaty ; A. I. Abd El-Ghani, Salwa, B. Abd El-Hady and A. I. Abd El-Latief (2003). Effect of diets containing silage on digestibility, performance, blood parameters and carcass traits of rabbits. Egypt. J. of Rabbit Sci., 13(1): 49-73.

AOAC (1980). Official Methods of Analysis. Association of Official Analytical Chemists. The 13th Ed. Washington, USA.

Ayyat, M. S. (1991). Growth, feed efficiency and carcass traits of growing rabbits as affected by levels of dietary protein and sulpher amino acids. Egypt. J. Rabbit Sci., 1:1-12

Chan, K. ; M. W. Islam ; M. Kamil ; R. Radhakrishnan ; M. N. M. Zakaria ; M. Habibullah and A. Attas (2000). The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Portulaca oleracea L. sub P. sativa Celak. J. Ethanopharmacol., 73: 445-451.

Cheeke, P. R. ; N. M. Sanchez and G. S. Tempelton (1986). Rabbit Production 5th Ed. Int. Print and Publ. Danville.

Duncan, D. B. (1955). Multiple Range and Multiple F-test. Biomet., 11: 1-42.

El-Sayed, H. H. M. (2001). Biological studies on the effect of Portuloca oleracea L. on lowering lipids and blood sugar in experimental animals. Ph. D. Thesis, Fac. Home Economics, Minufiya Univ.

Ezekwe, M. O. ; T. R. Omara-Alwala and T. Membrahtu (1999). Nutritive characterization of prslane accessions as influenced by planting date. Plant Foods Hum, Nutr. 54(3): 183-191.

Gad-Alla, S. A. H. (1997). Utilization of some agriculture by-products in feeding rabbits. Ph. D. Thesis, Fac. Agric. Kafr El-Sheikh, Tanta Univ., Egypt.

Garti, N. ; Y. Slavin and A. Aserin (1999). Portuloca oleracea gum and casein interactins and emulsion stability. Food Hydrocolloids 13(2): 127-138.

Gornall, A. G. ; G. J. Bardawill and M. M. Daved (1949). J. Biol., 177; 751 C.F. Hartman and Lascelles (1965).

Henery, R. J. (1965). Clinical chemistry principles and techniques. P. 293.

Khalil, R. E. (1988). Studies on some syndromes as a result of feeding Egyptian clover to rabbits. M. V. Sc. Thesis, Fac. Of Vet. Med., Cairo Univ.

Khalil, R. E. (1988). The effect of feeding some by products the productivity in rabbits. M. V. Sc. Thesis, Fac. Vat. Med., Zagazig Univ., Benha Branch, Moshtohor, Egypt.

Liu, L. ; P. Howe ; Y. F. Zhou; Z. Q. Xu ; C. Hacart and R. Zhang (2000). Fatty acids and B-carotene in Australian purslane (Portuloca oleracea) varieties. J. Chromatography, A, 893(1): 207-213.

Malhate, M. H. M. (1992). The effect of feeding some by products on the productive in rabbits. M. V. Sc. Thesis, Fac. Vit. Med., Zagazig Univ., Benha Branch, Moshtohor, Egypt.

Metwally, A. M. and M. K. Mohsen (1997). Influence of age on certain hematological and biochemical constituents in blood of growing buffaloe calves. J. Agric. Res. Tanta Univ., 23: 334-343.

Omara, M. ; Y. A. Mady ; N. S. Isshak and Neamat, A. Badawy (2005). Silage in rabbit feeding. 1. Digestibility and nutritive values. Proc. 2nd Conf. Anim. Prod. Res. Inst., Skaha 27-29 Sept. 613-618.

Partridge, G. G. ; S. S. Allan and M. Findlay (1985). Studies on the nutritive value of roots cabbage and grass silage for growing commercial rabbits. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol., 13: 299-311.

Reitman, A. and S. Frankol (1957). Determination of GOT and GPT in blood serum. J. Clin. Path., 28-56.

Shetifa, M. A. M. (1999). Nutritional and physiological studies on the use of non conversional feed resources in rabbit production. M. Sc. Thesis, Fac. Agric. Mansoura Univ., Egypt.

Snedecor, G. W. and W. G. Cocharn (1982). Statistical Methods. 7th Ed. Iowa State Univ. press Ames, Iowa.

Weichselaum, T. E. (1946). Method for determination of albumin in serum blood. Amer. J. Clin. Pathol., 16: 40.

الاداء الانتاجى للارانب النامیة والمغذاة على علائق تحتوى صور مختلفة من سیلاج الرجلة وعروش بنجر السکر

ممتاز محمد شحاته- عبدالحلیم موسی-محمد عمارة- مصطفى إبراهیم توفیق

معهد بحوث الإنتاج الحیوانى- مرکز البحوث الزراعیة- الجیزة – مصر.

قسم الإنتاج الحیوانی والداجنی –کلیة التکنولوجیا والتنمیة – جامعة الزقازیق- مصر.

تهدف هذه الدراسة لبحث تأثیر تغذیة الارانب النامیة على علائق تحتوى على صور مختلفة من سیلاج الرجلة وعروش بنجر السکر على کفاءتها الانتاجیة . استخدم فى هذه الدراسة 80 أرنب نیوزلاندى نامى عمر 5 أسابیع مقسمة الى خمس مجموعات تجریبیة مغذاة على علیقة مصنعة وبکل مجموعة 16 أرنب (8 ذکور ، 8 اناث) ، فالمجموعة الاولى غذیت على 100% علیقى مصنعة بینما المجامیع الاخرى غذیت على 70% علیقة مصنعة ، 30% سیلاج (المجموعة الثانیة غذیت على سیلاج الرجلة ، والمجموعة الثالثة على مخلوط سیلاج الرجلة + سیلاج عروش بنجر السکر بنسبة (1:1) والمجموعة الرابعة على سیلاج عروش بنجر السکر بینما المجموعة الخامسة غذیت على دریس الرجلة الکامل الجاف ، وغذیت کل المجامیع من عمر 5 اسابیع وحتى عمر 16 اسبوع . ویمکن تلخیص النتائج المتحصل علیها کالتالى:

1-    أظهرت کل المجامیع المعاملة زیادة معنویة فى المادة الجافة الماکولة مقارنة بالکنترول.

2-  ارتفع معامل هضم البروتین فى مجموعات السیلاج عن مجموعة المقارنة ما عدا مجموعة سیلاج عروش بنجر السکر والتى لم تختلف معنویا عن المجموعة المقارنة.

3-    لم یتأثر میزان الازوت بین المجموعات التجریبیة.

4-    لم یتأثر البروتین الکلى فى سیرم الدم بالمعاملات فى مجموعات السیلاج مقارنة بمجموعة المقارنة.

5-  ادخال السیلاج ودریس الرجلة الجاف فى علائق الارانب ادى الى زیادة فى معدلات النمو وخاصة فى الفترة من 11-16 اسبوع ، بینما وزن الجسم ومعدل استهلاک الغذاء الیومى لم یختلف معنویا فى کل المجموعات التجریبیة.

التوصیة: الدراسة توصى بادخال سیلاج الرجلة وعروش بنجر السکر ودریس الرجلة فى علائق الارانب النامیة لتحسین کفاءتها الانتاجیة.