EFFECT OF ASCORBIC ACID ON PRODUCTIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF DOES NEW ZEALAND WHITE RABBIT | ||||
| Journal of Animal and Poultry Production | ||||
| Article 4, Volume 4, Issue 9, September 2013, Page 549-559 PDF (600.19 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/jappmu.2013.71522 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
| M. A. Abu El-Hamd; M. A. M. Sheteifa; Ayat A. Ragab | ||||
| Animal Production Res. Institute, Agric. Res. Center, Dokki, Giza. | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| A total of 30 New Zealand White (NZW) doe rabbits 9~12 months old and weight 2.74±0.23 kg was divided in to three equal groups, according to their weights and age, ten animals in each. Rabbits of 1st group (G1) were fed commercial rabbit diet (control group). Rabbits of the 2nd group were received a dose of ascorbic acid (AA) 25 mg/rabbit/day in drinking water one week before service (G2) until the weaning age of bunnies while, those of the 3rd group (G3) were received a dose of ascorbic acid 50 mg/rabbit/day in drinking water one week before service until the age of weaning of bunnies. All rabbits were given diets to meet NRC (1977) requirements of doe rabbits for pregnancy and suckling. Results revealed that total dry matter intake (DMI), TDN and DCP were significantly (P<0.05) higher for G2 and G3 than those of control group. Digestibility coefficients of DM, CF and EE were significantly higher (P<0.05) by supplementation of ascorbic acid than in control group. Concentrations of total protein and globulin were significantly higher (P<0.05) in G3 and G2 than in G1. Urea-N concentration was lower (P<0.05) in G3 and G2 than in G1. Average daily milk yield (ADMY) of does was significantly (P<0.01) higher in G3 at 10 and 20 days of suckling. Fat percentage was significantly higher in does received ascorbic acid than the control group. However, lactose content was significantly (P<0.05) decreased in G3 compared to G2 and G1. Litter size at birth and weaning was significantly (P<0.05) higher in G3 than in G2 and G1. Litter weight at weaning was significantly higher in treated groups than the control group. Mortalityrate during the suckling period was the highest in G1 than those in G2 and G3. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| ascorbic acid; Rabbits; milk yield and reproductive performance | ||||
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