EVALUATION OF ADDING MORINGA AND ROCKET SEEDS OILS IN THE DIET ON PRODUCTIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF RABBITS UNDER HOT CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

EVALUATION OF ADDING MORINGA  AND ROCKET SEEDS OILS IN THE DIET ON PRODUCTIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF RABBITS UNDER HOT CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

W. Ezzat ¹ ; Saher, M. M.² ; Ragaa E. Abd El-Karim² and M. M. Shehata²

1. Poultry Breeding Department, Animal Prod. Res. Inst., Agric. Res. Cent., Egypt.

2.  Poultry Nutr. Department, Animal Prod. Res. Inst., Agric. Res. Cent., Egypt.

ABSTRACT:

A completely randomized design was conducted to investigate the effect of addition of moringa  (Moringa  oleifera) or rocket (Eruca Sative) seeds oils or mixture of these oils in the diet of New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits on their productive and reproductive performance traits under climate summer conditions of Egypt,  started in June to August, 2013. Digestibility coefficients and nutritive values, milk yield, some blood serum constitutes and economic efficiency, semen characteristics of buck and their offspring performance were estimated.A total number of 48 NZW rabbit does (6 months old) and 12 bucks (6 month old) with nearly similar weights were divided at random into four groups (12 does and 3 bucks in each). Rabbits were fed either basal diet (Control) or basal diet supplemented with 1.5 g in each of moringa oil /kg diet, or rocket oil or combination of both oils. The experiment lasted during the hot summer conditions of Egypt.

Results showed that percentages of mono-unsaturated fatty acids were higher in moringa oil than in rocket oil. The percentage of saturated fatty acids was higher in rocket oil than moringa oil, while moringa oil had a minute content of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUSFA), whereas rocket oil had a high content of PUSFA as linoleic acid.  Does fed combination of moringa  oil plus rocket oil diet recorded the highest (P ˂0.05) values of feed intake, final body ,weight, gain, conception rate, number of parturition, litter size, litter weight, litter weight gain at birth and at weaning. Digestibility coefficients of CP and EE, nutritive value expressed as DCP, average daily milk yield during different lactation weeks and feed conversion ratio to milk production were the highest (P ≤ 0.05) with rabbits fed combination of moringa plus rocket oils diet in most weeks of lactation. Bunny's weight at weaning, weight gains were the highest (P ˂0.05) for does fed rocket oil diet. Mortality rate (%) at birth and during lactation period, blood serum cholesterol, triglycerid and LDL recorded the lowest (P ˂ 0.05) values with does received combination of moringa and rocket oils diet. Sperm cell concentration, and percentages of sperm motility and dead spermatozoa improved significantly (P ˂ 0.05) by feeding buck rabbits rocket oil diet or  moringa plus rocket oils diet, being the best for those fed rocket oil diet when compared the control group. Rabbits fed moringa plus rocket oils diet recorded the highest net return and best economic efficiency followed by those fed moringa oil diet.

Conclusively,results of the experiment concluded that addition of 1.5 g/Kg diet mixture of moringa and rocket oils were more effective than other treatments for improving productive and reproductive performance traits, digestibility coefficients and nutritive values, milk yield of NZW doe and buck rabbits under hot climatic condition of summer season in Egypt.

Keywords:  Moringa oil, rocket oil, fatty acids, digestibility coefficients, blood & semen characteristics, economic efficiency.

INTRODUCTION

Rabbits are very susceptible to heat stress, since they have few functional sweat glands and have difficulty in eliminating excess body heat, when the environmental temperature is high ( Marai et al., 2002). The endocrine system plays an integral part in the animal’s response to stress (Ayyat et al., 2004). Many studies have suggested that hyperthermia associated with heat stress (HS) has been proven that energy from nutrient intake is critical because of the decline in feed intake that occurs (Hahn et al., 2003 and Al-Shukri , 2011 ), also milk has a lower solids content (Belic et al., 2011) High environmental temperature induces physiological stress in rabbits leading to production losses (Marai et al., 2001). Also because of poor thermoregulation ability of rabbits, some consequences of heat stress affect digestive system functions, with impaired appetite, growth and feed conversion, with increased disease incidence (Bani et al., 2010). High mortality percentages and reduced fertility were recorded with rabbits exposed to high environmental temperature due to the heat stress which cause a weakness of rabbits and changes in their biological function (Okba et al., 2008) and disorders of spermatogenesis and semen quality, ejaculatory disturbances and reproductive failure in male. The male with reduced fertility posses serious problems and causes economical losses to breeders and artificial insemination industry. Failure to ovulate after copulation is one of the major factors in the rabbit's infertility. Unfortunately, rabbit productivity and reproductively are deleteriously affected by improper management, especially, during hot climates. (Rowida Riad et al., 2010).

Several methods are available to alleviate the negative effects of high environmental temperature, such methods are mostly focused on the natural products since these products have served as an important source of drugs since ancient times and a significant part of today’s drugs are somehow derived from natural sources, therefore, many people in developing countries use traditional drugs derived from medicinal plants to meet their primary health care needs (WHO, 2002). Moreover, many attempts have been done to overcome the adverse effects of heat stress by modifying environmental condition through nutritional, managerial and physiological manipulation of rabbits (Selim et al., 2003). Some of them may cause unfavorable effects such as chemical products (antibiotics and hormones) and medicinal herbs. Moringa seeds oil is known for its Anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antiepileptic, antioxidant, antifungal and antipyretic (Rajib Singha, 2010).

Adding moringa seeds oil or rocket seeds oil as medicinal plant oils in the diet were found to be effective in alleviating the heat load of rabbits (Shehata et al., 2011 and Ojiako and Okeke, 2013). Rabbits require fat and oil in its diet as sources of essential fatty acids and facilitate supply and absorption of the fat soluble vitamins (Clarke et al., 1977). Moringa seeds oil contains all the fatty acids as in olive oil, except linoleic acid (Morton, 1991).

Therefore, the present study was carried out to determine the effect of adding 1.5 g/Kg diet of either rocket or  moringa seeds oils or combination of both oils to commercial rabbit ration on productive and reproductive performance of NZW does and their offspring as well as productive performance of bucks under hot climatic conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study was carried out at Sakha Research Station, Animal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt. The experiment lasted from June to August, 2013. The aim of this study is to investigate the positive effects of moringa and rocket seeds oils or mixture of them as supplements in the diets on productive and reproductive performance traits of doe and buck adult New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. Digestibility coefficients and nutritive values, some blood serum constitutements and economic efficiency and semen characteristics of bucks were also evaluated. Rabbits were fed either basal diet (Control) (T₁) or basal diet supplemented with 1.5 g  moringa seeds oil /kg diet (T₂) , or rocket seeds oil (T₃)  or mixture of both oils (T₄) , respectively on productive and reproductive performance traits of doe and buck adult New Zealand White (NZW)  rabbits. A total number of 48 adult NZW  rabbit doe and 12 NZW bucks (6 month old) with nearly similar weight, were divided at random into four equal experimental groups (12 does and 3 bucks in each).

The basal diet was formulated to be isonitrogenous (18.5% CP) and isocaloric (about 2401 kcal DE /kg) according to the recommendations of Agriculture Ministry Decree (1996) for pregnant does and bucks rabbits. Formulation and chemical composition of the experimental diets according to NRC (1977) are presented in Table 1. Rabbits in all experimental groups were fed ad. Libitum and water was available through water nipple in each cage. Urine and faeces dropped from the cages to the floor and were cleaned daily. Cage of each doe was provided with a metal nest box for kindling. Each buck was mated for 1-4 does of the same breed and each doe was palpated 10 days post-mating, to detect pregnancy. The doe rabbit, which failed to conceive was returned to the same mating buck. Bunnies were deprived from suckling for 24 h by separation between the mother and the litters, thereafter, the bunnies were allowed to suckle their mothers. Bunnies were weaned at 28 days of age.

All rabbits were kept under the same managerial and hygienic conditions in each period. The averages minimum and maximum ambient temperatures ranged between 23.93 and 34.84 ⁰C, relative humidity from 31.77 to 81.22% and temperature-humidity index (THI) from 21.92 to 33.62% under Sakha, Kafr-El-Shikh Governorate located in the far north of Egypt (31.07°N) as show in Table 2. THI  was estimated according to the formula by Marai et al. (2001) as follows:

Table (1): Formulation and chemical composition of the experimental diet.

1. Each 3 kg Vitamin and Mineral premix provides: Vit. A 12000000 IU, Vit. D₃ 750000 IU, Vit. E 10000 mg, Vit. K 2000 mg, Biotine 50 mg, Folic acid 1000 mg, Choline choloride 500 mg, Selenium 100 mg, Manganese 25 gm, Zinc 50 mg, Fe 60 mg, Cu 2.5 mg, Co 6 mg, Iodine 1 gm and Carrier CaCo³ to 3000 gm.

2. According to feed composition tables for Animal and Poultry Feedstuffs used in Egypt (2001).

3. Calculated according to De Blas and Mateos (1998)

Table (2). Microclimatic data during the whole experimental period, under environmental condition.

THI=db⁰C-{(0.31-0.31 RH) (db⁰C -14.4)},

Where db⁰C = Bulb temperature in Celsius and RH= RH%/100.

Samples of the different oils were taken to determine the fatty acids composition by using the gas-liquid chromatography (Model: Variant 3300; column ov. 101; temperatures of the column, injector and detector were 200, 280 and 240 °C, respectively). Fatty acids were identified by composition of retention times with standers and expressed as percentages of fatty acid methyl ester distribution. Percentages of identified fatty acids were determined by using of digital "Ushikata planimeter (Model DIGI PLAN 220P). The analysis of fatty acids was performed in the Laboratory of Department of Natural Products Chemistry, National Research Center, Dokki, and Cairo, Egypt.

Number of doe copulated,  conception rate (%), parturition, litter size at birth (LSB) and litter size at weaning (LSW), litter weight at birth (LWB), litter weight at weaning (LWW), feed intake for does and bunny , bunny weight at birth (BWB), weaning (BBW), mortality rate at birth and pre-weaning mortality rate were recorded. Milk yield at 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th week of suckling was estimated using the weight-suckle-weight technique described by Lukefahr et al., 1983. Separation of young from their does was carried out 12 hours before suckling according to dam litter separation method. After that, the young were allowed for suckling their mothers. The differences between body weight of the young before and after suckling equal milk yield.

Feed conversion ratio was estimated as kg total feed intake/ kg total milk yield during lactation. During sucking weeks, milk intake at the first three successive days with each week was determined by the difference in LBW of bunnies before and after suckling.

Digestibility trial was conducted using sixteen male rabbits at 6 month of age, 4 male in each treatment group. The rabbits were individually housed in metabolism cages that permit to collect faeces and urine separately. The trial lasted 9 days, 3 days as a preliminary period, followed by 6 days to quantify the daily feed intake and faeces output. Samples of daily faeces of each animal were taken and oven dried at 65 ^oC for 24 hours, then ground and stored in plastic bags until the end of the trial. The composite samples of feed offered and faeces output were chemically analyzed according to A.O.A.C. (2000) for crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fibre (CF), nitrogen free extract (NFE) and ash. Metabolizable energy values of the basal diet were calculated according to the equation of Kalogen (1985) as follows:

ME (Kcal/kg diet DM) = (0.588+0.164x) 239.

Where, x is a dry matter digestion coefficient of the basal diet. The total digestible nutrient (TDN) value of the diet was calculated as the sum of multiplying the digestible ether extract (EE) by the factor 2.25 and multiplying each of digestible crude protein, crude fiber and nitrogen free extract (NFE) by the factor 1.0. Gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) was used for identification of fatty acids composition of moringa and rocket seeds oils in the Laboratory of Department of Natural Products Chemistry, National Research Center, and Cairo, Egypt.

Blood samples were taken from four female rabbits at the end of experimental period from each treatment to study the influence of experimental diets on some blood constituents. Blood samples were individually taken from ear vein of each female rabbit into dry glass tube (5 ml). Blood serum was separated by centrifugation at 3000 r.p.m. for 15 minutes. Serum was separated in plastic vials and stored frozen at -20 ^oC until the biochemical analysis. Stored serum samples were analyzed for total protein, albumin, cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL using the suitable commercial chemical kits. Globulins were estimated by subtraction of albumin value from total protein value of each sample.

Semen was collected from each buck rabbits, one week after natural mating of the females, twice a week for three times by means of an artificial vagina using a female teaser rabbit. At each semen collection (n=5 for each buck), ejaculate volume (ml), sperm-cell concentration (x10⁶ /ml), percentage of sperm motility, percentage of dead and abnormal spermatozoa were determined according to Smyth and Gordan (1967).

The data were subjected to one- way statistical analysis applying SAS program (SAS, 2003) using the General Liner Model Program (GLMP). Percentage values were transformed to Arc. Sin values before being statistically analyzed. Significant differences among treatment means were separated by Duncan's New Multiple-Range Test (Duncan, 1955).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Temperature-humidity index (THI):

The temperature-humidity index (THI) estimated in Table (2) indicated exposure of the rabbits to severe and very severe heat stress, during June, July and August, respectively.

Fatty acids composition of moringa and rocket seeds oils:

Results presented in Table (3) showed that moringa seeds oil had higher content of mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUSFAs), especially oleic acid than rocket oil. Oleic acid and other MUSFAs were in part responsible for the increase of plasma HDL (high density lipoprotein)-cholesterol and apolipoprotein B. For this reason MUFA play a role in prevention of the cardiovascular diseases (arteriosclerosis, myocardium infarct ictus, etc.), which are the main causes of mortality in the industrialized countries. Oleic acid also, reduces thrombogenesis, VII haemostatis factor, and blood platelet aggregation, contributes to the stabilization of arterial pressure and glycaemia (hematic insulin level), and even stimulates the growth of bones. Therefore, monounsaturated become of interest in product development, where oxidative stability and nutritional value are important concerns (Samah 2001).

Percentage of mono-unsaturated fatty acids was higher in moringa oil (76.07 %) than in rocket oil (60.67%).  The percentage of saturated fatty acids  was higher in rocket oil (27.77%) than moringa oil (23.11%), while the later had a minute content of polyunsaturated fatty acid (0.82%), whereas rocket oil had a high content of PUSFA as linoleic acid (11.21%).  These results are in agreement with those reported by Somali et al. (1994), Samah (2009) and Shehata et al. (2011). These results may indicated that either moringa oil or rocket oil are good source for the essential fatty acids in rabbit diets.

Table (3): Fatty acid composition of moringa and rocket seeds oils.

Does performance traits:

Results in Table (4) indicated that dietary supplementation with either moringa or rocket seeds oils or mixture of them had positive effect on productive and reproductive performance traits of doe rabbits during the period of high ambient temperatures. Doe rabbits received oils mixture diet recorded the highest (P<0.05) values of final body weight and weight gain as compared to the control group. The positive obtained results can be attributed to the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities effects of moringa and rocket seeds (Haristory et al., 2005, Jabeen et al., 2008 and Luqman et al., 2012). The increase in body weight and weight gain of the rabbits fed moringa oil may be due to that linoleic acid is a precursor of prostaglandins which plays an important role in promoting hypothalamic release of growth hormone releasing factor(Makkar and Becker, 1996). On the other hand, El-Tohamy and El-Kady (2007) showed that live body weight and daily weight gain of rabbits significantly increased by feeding diet containing 50% rocket seeds meal of dietary CP. Also, Zeweil et al. (2009) reported that feeding rabbits diet contained 10.5% rocket seeds meal (RSM) during the whole experimental period resulted in significant (P<0.01) improvement in total weight gain by 15.1% as compared to the control (1042 vs.905 g), Moreover, addition of water-cress up to 3% in rabbit diets significantly (P<0.01) improved body weight gain (Soad  Ahmed et al., 2005). This may be due to that rocket seeds contain health promoting agents, including carotenoids, vitamin C, fibers, glucoerucin and flavonoids (Barillari et al., 2005). The major constituent of rocket seeds volatile oil is isothiocyanates, which has antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticarcinogenic activities (Haristory et al., 2005). In general, rocket is one of the medicinal plants known as a phrodisiac (Zohara et al., 1998).

Conception rate, number of parturition as well as, litter size, litter weight and litter weight gain at birth and weaning were significantly (P<0.05) the highest for does fed mixture of moringa  and rocket oils diet as compared with other groups studied. The observed improvement in reproductive performance in terms of conception rate and litter size at birth of does fed rocket oil diet may be attributed to the higher content of TUSFAs in moringa and rocket oils, which improved reproductive performance of does than those fed the control group (Table 3). In addition, improving litter weight at weaning produced from the same does may be due to the increase of doe milk yield (Table 6). Furthermore, does fed a mixture of moringa and rocket oils diet showed significantly (P<0.05) the highest digestibility coefficients of CP and consequently the highest DCP content. These results are in agreement with those reported by Bassuny (1999) who found marked increase in conception rate, litter size, litter weight and gain of bunnies at birth, 21 and 28 days with the increase of DE and CP contents of the diet. Similar results were obtained by Strucklec and Kermiouner (1995).

Data concerning of average weekly or total feed consumption during different weeks of the suckling period was highest significantly (P<0.05) for does mixture of moringa  and rocket oils diet and the lowest for groups fed moringa  oil and control diets.          Similar results were observed by Ibrahim (2005) when the basal diet of rabbits was

Table (4).  Some productive and reproductive performance of doe rabbits fed diet supplemented with moringa or rocket seeds oils or combination of them during experimental period.

supplemented with 1% rocket seeds. Moreover, Magda El-Tohamy et al. (2010) declared that daily feed intake by rabbits showed a significant (P<0.01) variation and rocket diet revealed an   increment by 10.9% compared to control diet. Increasing feed consumption of rocket oil diet may be due to its beneficial effect for stimulating and activating the digestive system by improving the diet palatability and enhancing appetite (Bardley, 1992). Also, moringa has been found to exposit hypolipidaemic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-tuberculosis and analgesic effects. It can be exploited as a most priority candidate, for its potential to treat disastrous diseases of the modern times (Hussain et al., 2014).

Digestibility coefficients and nutritive values:

The effects of dietary supplementation with either moringa and rocket oils or mixture of them on digestibility coefficients of nutrients are presented in Table 5.  The digestibility coefficient of CP and EE were affected significantly (P<0.05) by dietary addition, being the highest for moringa plus rocket, followed by moringa oil diet. However, digestion of DM, OM, CF and NFE was not affected significantly by dietary addition. Also, inclusion of moringa oil or combination with rocket oil in the diets of rabbits significantly (P<0.05) improved the nutritive value expressed as DCP compared with the other treatments and control diet. These results are in harmony with those of Belewu et al., (2014) who found that moringa oil in the diet of West African Dwarf Goat improves feed intake and digestibility coefficient of the animal. While, Soliman et al. (2006) reported that feeding of rocket seeds meal diet had no adverse effect on digestibility coefficient and nutritive values. Also, Bassuny (1999) noticed significant (P<0.05) increase in EE and NFE, nutritive values (TDN and DCP) with the increase of digestibility energy (DE) and CP contents in the diet. Soad Ahmed et al. (2005) showed that addition of water-cress up to 3% in rabbit diets significantly (P<0.01) improved apparent digestibility coefficients of most nutrients.

Table (5): Digestion coefficient and nutritive values of rabbit as affected by dietary supplemented with moringa and rocket seeds oils or combination of them.

Means having different letters within the same row are significantly different.  

* = (P<0.05) and NS= Not significant

Milk yield of does:.

The results presented in Table (6) showed that the average daily milk yield during the weeks of lactation was highest significantly (P<0.01) for does fed rocket oil diet, followed by does fed moringa plus rocket oils, followed by moringa oil only, while does fed the control diet recorded the lowest milk yield. Does fed moringa oil plus rocket oil diet ranked the second for milk production. Average daily milk yield (g/doe) increased during the third week of suckling by about 81.33% as compared with those at the first week.The increase in milk yield may be due to the highest feed intake and the higher TDN and DCP of does fed rocket oil and moringa oil diet (Table 5). Similarly, Xiccato et al. (2004) reported that the milk production increase is a response to the higher live weight and feed intake capacity of multiparous does. Also, Bassuny (1999) reported that high DE and/or DCP intake stimulate milk production. While, Estrella et al., (2000) reported that moringa leaves have been shown to increase breast milk production. Also, there were significant differences in the total DM intake, litter size at weaning, average daily weight gain per kid and milk yield of does, on the different treatments (P<0.05) (Odeyinka et al. 2008).

Data in Table (6) clearly showed that feeding moringa  oil plus rocket oils  diet had the best feed conversion (P<0.01), followed by moringa  oil, or rocket oil diet alone, whereas control group had the lowest feed conversion ratio, These results positively related to feed intake and milk yield of the experimental groups.

Table (6).  Milk yield (MY) NZW of does rabbits as affected by dietary supplemented with moringa and rocket seeds oils or combination of them.

Means having different letters within the same row are significantly different.  

• = (P<0.05) and NS= Not significant.

Some performance of bunny traits:

Data shown in Table (7) clear that average bunny weight at birth and relative growth rate were not affected significantly by dietary additives. These results are in agreement with those obtained by Ismeal et al. (1988) who found that the most important factor affecting bunny weight at birth was the bunny size and there was negative correlation between birth weight and bunny size. However, letter weight at weaning and weight gain of bunnies were higher for treatment groups than the control one and recorded highest significantly (P<0.05) for bunnies produced from does fed moringa plus rocket oils diet, followed by those fed moringa  oil diet and rocket oil only, while the control group had the lowest values. Superiority of bunnies produced from does fed treatments diet may be associated with increasing milk yield of these does as compared to those in the control group.

In accordance with the present results, Kowalsk (2008) showed that oil supplemented diets increased kit weight at birth, 21 days and 35 days of  age (P<0.01)  in the three reproductive cycles. Results in Table (7), also revealed that mortality rate at birth and during the suckling period was lower significantly (P<0.05) in bunnies of does in all treated groups as compared to the control group, being the lowest for bunnies of does fed mixture of moringa plus rocket oils diet, followed by those fed either moringa oil diet or rocket oil diet, respectively.

Table (7): Productive performance traits of bunny produced from does fed diet supplemented with either oil of moringa , rocket or combination of them.

Means having different letters within the same row are significantly different. 

• = (P<0.05) and NS= Not significant

Effect of the experimental diets on blood biochemistry:

Data in Table (8) illustrated that values of serum total protein and albumin were improved significantly (P<0.05) when NZW rabbit does received mixture of moringa plus rocket oils diet followed by moringa oil and rocket oil. However, control           group recorded the lowest values. The change in globulin levels was not significantly

Table (8). Blood biochemistry of does fed diet supplemented with either oil of moringa, rocket or combination of them

Means having different letters within the same row are significantly different. 

• = (P<0.05) and NS= Not significant.

affected by the treatments.  Serum total protein and albumin showed significant increase in does fed either  moringa or rocket oils diet indicating the ability of these oils to stimulate the regeneration of hepatic tissue which increase protein synthesis in liver and improvement of the functional status of the liver cells.

It is well known that, cholesterol is an important constituent of cell membrane and it is the precursor of steroid hormone and bile acids, high cholesterol level in the blood is Low density lipoprotein is a major component of the total cholesterol and is directly related to coronary heart disease as a major atherogenic lipoprotein and hence, appear to be the main target of any lipid lowering agent. LDL cholesterol increase the rate of triacylglycerol catabolism by mobilizing fat from the liver to the adipose tissue, it carries 60%-70% of the total cholesterol in the plasma (Beynen and Knchevsky, 1986).  In the present results, does received combination of moringa oil or rocket oils diet recorded the lowest (P ≤ 0.05) values of blood serum cholesterol, triglycerid and LDL followed by rocket oil.  However, control group recorded the highest value (Table 8). These results were in agreement with Mehta et al. (2003) who showed that administration of rabbits for 120 days of moringa fruit, lowered the levels of serum cholesterol, phospholipids, triglyceride, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol ratio and atherogenic index, and was able to increase the high density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio compared to the control group. One proposed mechanism of action is that moringa promotes gastrointestinal excretion of cholesterol. Naznin Ara et al. (2008) found lowering serum triglyceride(P ≤ 0.05)  and cholesterol levels in rats fed leaves extract of moringa.

Semen characteristics of bucks:

Data concerning physical semen characteristics are presented in Table 9. Sperm cell concentration, and percentages of sperm motility and dead spermatozoa were improved significantly (P<0.01) by feeding buck rabbits rocket oil diet alone or  with moringa  oil , being the best for those fed rocket oil diet when compared with moringa  oil or control

Table (9). Some physical semen characteristics of buck rabbits fed diet supplemented with either oil of moringa , rocket or combination of them

Means having different letters within the same row are significantly different.  

* = (P<0.05) and NS= Not significant

group.  However, semen ejaculate volume and percentage of sperm abnormality were not affected  significantly in buck  by  the treatments.  Soad Ahmed et al. (2005) showed that using water-cress improved (P<0.01) semen ejaculate volume, sperm motility, sperm cell concentration and decreased the percentage of dead and abnormal spermatozoa compared with the control group. The same authors added that the tests of bucks fed diets containing water-cress had more mature somniferous tubules with mature spermatocytes than those of the control bucks. El-Tohamy and El-Kady (2007) using radish, rocket and black cumin meal in diets of adult male rabbits improved semen quality and gave the best results in case of reaction time, latency period, volume, motile sperm percentage, sperm concentration per ml, total sperm per ejaculate, total motile sperm and total function sperm fraction. Feeding radish or mixture meals significantly decreased free radicals production in the seminal plasma. On the contrary, Akwasi (2013) reported that moringa seeds contain bioactive chemicals capable of disrupting the gonad function, differentiation and sexual maturation of Mozambique tilapia. The same author added that, moringa seeds decreased sperm production and degeneration of testicular tissues. Similarly, Musa-Azara  et al. (2014) showed significantly higher mean values of gonadal sperm reserve and daily sperm production for the control group compared to the moringa (P=0.05).

Economic efficiency:

Data shown in Table (10) clear that rabbits fed diet supplemented with mixture of moringa and rocket oils recorded the highest net return and best economic efficiency followed by those fed moringa oil diet, however control group had the lowest net return and economic efficiency.

Conclusively, from these results of the present study clear that addition of 1.5 g mixture of moringa  and rocket seeds oils /kg diet was more effective than other treatments for improving productive and reproductive performance traits,

Table (10).  Economical efficiency and relative economical efficiency of rabbits fed diet supplemented with either oil of rocket, Moringa or combination of them.

digestibility coefficients and nutritive values, milk yield of NZW doe and buck rabbits under the hot climate of summer season in Egypt. Hence, preferably adding moringa seeds oil to female rabbit while preferred adding rocket oil for males. Thus,

several benefits might be gained by moringa only or plus rocket oil to the commercial rabbit diets, under heat stress conditions, in Egypt.

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تقییم إضافة زیت بذور المورینجا وزیت بذور الجرجیر للغذاء على الکفاءة الإنتاجیة والتناسلیة فی الأرانب تحت الظروف المناخیة الحارة 

وحید عزت ، سحرمحمدحامد ، رجاء السید عبد الکریم ، ممتازمحمدأحمدشحاتة

معهد بحوث الإنتاج الحیوانی - مرکز البحوث الزراعیة  – مصر.

أجریت تجربة ذات تصمیم عشوائی تام لدراسة تأثیر إضافة زیت المورینجا وزیت الجرجیر أو خلیط من هذه الزیوت للغذاء    على الأداء الإنتاجی والتناسلی ، ومعاملات الهضم والقیم الغذائیة، إنتاج الحلیب، وبعض مکونات الدم والکفاءة الاقتصادیة لأمهات  الأرانب النیوزیلندی، وکذلک خصائص السائل المنوی للذکور وأداء نتاج الأرنب وذلک تحت ظروف الصیف الحار فی مصر بدایة من شهر یونیه- أغسطس 2013. استخدم فی التجربة عدد 48 أم وعدد 12 ذکر أرنب نیوزیلندی أبیض (6 أشهر من العمر) متساویة تقریبا فی متوسط وزن الجسم قسمت عشوائیا إلی أربع مجموعات (12 أم ، 3 ذکور لکل منها)، تم تغذیتها علی علیقه المقارنة (المجموعة الأولی) ، علیقه مقارنة مضاف إلیها 1.5 جرام زیت المورینجا / کجم علیقه (المجموعة الثانیة) ، علیقه مقارنة مضاف إلیها 1.5 جرام زیت الجرجیر /کجم علیقه (المجموعة الثالثة)، خلیط من هذه الزیوت(المجموعة الرابعة).

أوضحت نتائج التجربة الأتی :

-      النسبة المئویة للأحماض الدهنیة الغیر مشبعة الأحادیة کانت اعلی فی زیت المورینجا منه فی زیت الجرجیر .و کانت النسبة المئویة للأحماض الدهنیة المشبعة فی زیت الجرجیر أعلى منه فی زیت المورینجا  ، بینما کان محتوی زیت المورینجا من الأحماض الدهنیة الغیر مشبعة المتعددة نسبة دقیقة  فی حین احتوی زیت الجرجیر علی نسبة عالیة من الأحماض الدهنیة الغیر مشبعة المتعددة مثل حامض اللینولیک.

-     سجلت إناث المجموعة المغذاة علی  خلیط زیت المورینجا + زیت الجرجیر اعلی قیم للغذاء المستهلک و لوزن الجسم النهائی، وللزیادة الوزنیة، ومعدل الحمل، وعدد الولادات وعدد ووزن خلفه البطن والزیادة الوزنیه عند المیلاد والفطام وللعلیقة المستهلکة مع تحسن معنوی (علی مستوی معنویة 0.05) فقط  فی معامل هضم البروتین الخام والدهون ومعامل هضم البروتین الخام فی مجموعه زیت الجرجیر.

-                   سجل معامل هضم البروتین الخام  والدهون والقیم الغذائیة فی صورة DCP، متوسط ​​إنتاج اللبن الیومی خلال أسابیع الرضاعة المختلفة ومعدل تحویل الغذاء بالنسبة لإنتاج اللبن کانت أعلى معنویة (علی مستوی معنویة 0.05) عند تغذیة الأرانب علی خلیط زیت المورینجا + زیت الجرجیر فی معظم أسابیع الرضاعة.

-       سجل الوزن عند الفطام وزیادة الوزن للخلفات  للإناث التی غذیت علی زیت الجرجیر اعلی معدل (علی مستوی معنویة 0.05). بینما انخفض معدل النفوق عند الولادة وخلال فتره الرضاعة للنتاج وقیم کل من الکولسترول والجلسریات الثلاثیة والکولسترول منخفض الکثافة فی  الإناث التی غذیت علی خلیط زیت المورینجا + زیت الجرجیر یتبعها مجموعه زیت الجرجیر.

-       تحسن ترکیز الحیوانات المنویة الطبیعیة والحرکة التقدمیة وانخفاض نسبة الحیوانات المنویة المیتة لذکور الأرانب التی غذیت علی زیت الجرجیر فقط أو مع زیت المورینجا وکونه أفضل بالتی غذیت علی زیت الجرجیر بالمقارنة مع مجموعه زیت المورینجا ومجموعه المقارنة.

-     سجلت الإناث التی غذیت علی خلیط زیت المورینجا + زیت الجرجیر اعلی عائد وزن صافی وکذلک اعلی کفاءة اقتصادیة یتبعها مجموعه زیت المورینجا بینما سجلت مجموعه المقارنة اقل القیم.

التوصیة: توصی الدراسة بإضافة 1.5 جم خلیط  من بذور زیت المورینجا و زیت الجرجیر / کجم علیقه لتحسین أداء الصفات الإنتاجیة والتناسلیة ومعاملات الهضم والقیم الغذائیة واتناج اللبن لإناث وذکور الأرانب النیوزلندی الأبیض المراباة تحت ظروف المناخ الحار فی فصل الصیف فی مصر. ومن هنا یفضل إضافة زیت المورینجا لأنثى الأرنب بینما یفضل إضافة زیت الجرجیر لذکورها.