Effect of Aqueous Extract of Moringa oleifera Leaves on Some Production Performance and Microbial Ecology of the Gastrointestinal Tract in Growing Rabbits
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3923/pjn.2018.1.7Keywords:
Microbial ecology, moringa leaves extract, productive performance, RabbitsAbstract
Objective: This study was conducted to determine the effect of aqueous Moringa oleifera leaf extracts (AMOLE) on growth performance and carcass characteristics of rabbits. Methodology: A total number of 64 mixed sex growing APRI rabbits aged 5 weeks and weighing 661.8±8.08 g was assigned randomly into four treatment groups to evaluate the effect of aqueous Moringa oleifera leaves extract (AMOLE) added in water. The four experimental groups were as follows: The control group (G1) received basal diet and water without any supplementation, while groups 2, 3 and 4 received basal diet and water supplemented with 30 (G2), 60 (G3) and 90 (G4) mL AMOLE/L drinking water, respectively. The study was lasted for 8 weeks during the growing period, from weaning age (at 5 weeks) to marketing age (at 13 weeks). Results: The results revealed that Moringa leaves extract at its highest levels significantly (p<0.05) increased the final body weight, daily weight gain and improved feed conversion. The effect of Moringa leaves extract on carcass traits was so clear, where supplemented groups showed significant (p<0.05) increased the carcass percentage. Gastrointestinal tract and abdominal fat percentages were decreased (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively) by supplementing AMOLE in drinking water. Also, results showed that pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli and Clostridium sp.) decreased (p<0.001) by supplementing AMOLE in drinking water. The highest and pronounced increase of net revenue (16.8%) was observed for rabbits received 90 mL AMOLE/L (G4). Conclusion: Addition of AMOLE in drinking water for growing rabbits, enhanced the growth performance and improved the microbial ecology of the gastrointestinal tract with high profitability. From economic point of view 90 mL L–1 Moringa extract is recommended for growing APRI rabbits, which showed the best results.
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