Antioxidant Activities of Vitamin C and Bi-carbonate Buffers on Hormones Secretion and Serum Metabolites of Heat-stressed Rabbit Buck

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the antioxidant activities of vitamin C and bicarbonate buffers on hormones secretion and serum metabolites of heat-stressed rabbit buck.
 Methodology: A total of twenty-five (25) Adult rabbit bucks (New Zealand White crosses) of 12 months old were used in this study. The rabbits were randomly allotted into the experimental treatments of five treatment groups with five (5) rabbits per treatment in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The treatment groups consisted of Control, Sodium Bicarbonate (Na2HCO3) and Potassium bicarbonate (KNO3), Vitamin C, and baobab fruit pulp meal (BFPM) as supplements respectively. The experiment lasted for 9 weeks. Temperature humidity of the pen house and thermoregulatory condition of the rabbits were evaluated. Blood samples (5 ml) were collected from the ear vein at 10.00 h from four rabbits chosen randomly from each group of rabbits respectively before and the end of the experiment for serum metabolite, thyroxine and testosterone hormones evaluation.
 Results: It was found that Vitamin C and BFPM significantly (P<0.05) reduced thermoregulatory parameters and increased hormonal secretions. The pattern of secretion of serum metabolites was not significantly (P<0.05) consistent.
 Conclusion: It was concluded that Vitamin antioxidants were more effective to ameliorate heat stress than bicarbonate buffers.

Impacts of Heat Stress on Rabbit Immune Function, Endocrine, Blood Biochemical Changes, Antioxidant Capacity and Production Performance, and the Potential Mitigation Strategies of Nutritional Intervention

“…The NaHCO 3 is a kind of electrolyte additive and acid-base regulator, which equips the function of dissolving mucus, invigorating the stomach, inhibiting acid and increasing appetite ( 131 , 132 ). It can be used to supply sodium and can work as the main buffer material in blood and tissue to decrease respiratory alkali poisoning and improve the ability to resist heat stress ( 86 , 87 ). According to Zhou ( 88 ), NaHCO 3 can be used to invigorate the stomach and regulate blood acid-base balance, adding 0.1–0.2% NaHCO 3 to drinking water could reduce the loss of heat stress.…”

Ramifications of Heat Stress on Rabbit Production and Role of Nutraceuticals in Alleviating Its Negative Impacts: An Updated Review

“…HS increases respiration, disturbing the rabbits' acid-base balance (respiratory alkalosis). Therefore, supplemental electrolytes, such as sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO 3 ), potassium chloride (KCl), potassium bicarbonate (KHCO 3 ), and ammonium chloride (NH 4 Cl), to the feed or drinking water might improve the acid-base balance in heatstressed rabbits [39,94,119,120]. These buffers are involved in regulating the intracellular osmotic pressure and acid-base balance, and, consequently, promote heat tolerance.…”

“…These buffers are involved in regulating the intracellular osmotic pressure and acid-base balance, and, consequently, promote heat tolerance. Anoh et al [119,120] noted that administering an NaHCO 3 and KHNO 3 solution to drinking water maximized the ability to grow rabbits to resist HS, and they improved the FI and serum contents of calcium and T 4 . Ewuola et al [94] demonstrated that the oral administration of NaHCO 3 (2 mL of 0.30% NaHCO 3 ) reduced respiratory and heart rates.…”