The effects of peppermint (Mentha piperita) and/or basil (Ocimum basilicum) essential oil supplementation on the productive performance of rabbits were evaluated. Forty-eight V-line rabbits at five weeks of age were randomly divided into four equal groups. The control group (1 st group) was fed a basal diet without addition. The 2 nd , 3 rd , and 4 th treatments were fed a basal diet supplemented with 400 mg of peppermint essential oil (PO), 400 mg of basil essential oil (BO), and 200 mg of PO plus 200 mg of BO/kg diet (essential oil blend; EOB), respectively. The results indicated that the significant (P ≤ 0.01) decrease in the feed intake was observed in the groups fed PO and EOB compared to the control group. The essential oil blend had the most significant (P ≤ 0.01) effect on the feed conversion ratio. Additionally, dietary supplementation with PO, BO and EOB significantly (P ≤ 0.01) increased the serum total antioxidant capacity and reduced malondialdehyde level compared to the control group. Also, the immunological parameters (IgG and IgM) increased with different dietary supplementations. Nevertheless, the dietary addition of PO, BO and EOB did not significantly affect the final live body weight and average daily gain, nutrient digestibility, nutritive values, most carcass traits, haematological parameters and serum lipid profiles versus the control group measurements. In conclusion, the blend of peppermint and basil essential oils has a potential use as antioxidant and immunostimulant for growing rabbits.
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