Pomegranate peel as a natural antioxidant enhanced reproductive performance and milk yield of female rabbits

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the effects of dietary pomegranate peel (PP; 9.61% crude protein and 13.1% crude fibre) on reproductive performance and milk yield of heat-stressed rabbit does. Forty-eight V-line rabbit does with average initial live body weight of 3.59±0.11 kg (2 nd parity; 9 mo old) were divided into 4 treatment groups (12 does per group). The first group was fed diet free of PP. The second, third and fourth groups were fed diets containing 0.75, 1.5 and 3.0% PP, respectively, included in substitution of clover hay from the basal diet. Feed of the 4 groups was free of added antioxidants. The studied traits were: kindling rate, gestation period, litter size, litter weight, kit weight at both birth and weaning (28 d of lactation) for the last 3 parameters, pre-weaning mortality and milk yield. Range of temperatures and relative humidity during the experimental period in the rabbitry varied between 27.5-33.5°C and 64-76%, respectively. The inclusion of PP quadratically affected litter size at birth (P<0.001) and weaning (P<0.01), as well as milk yield (P<0.001). However, it tended to reduce the kit milk intake in most lactation periods (P=0.078), leading to a linear reduction in individual kit weight at weaning (P=0.060). In conclusion, supplementations of PP in the diet of does during summer season in Egypt can improve their productivity.

Performance, haemato-biochemical indices and antioxidant status of growing rabbits fed on diets supplemented with Mucuna pruriens leaf meal

“…Dietary manipulation has been identified as the most affordable method of alleviating the negative effect of high ambient temperature in the tropics, as the high cost of cooling animal pens is unaffordable W o r l d R a b b i t S c i e n c e for farmers (Konca et al, 2009). Therefore, the use of diets rich in natural antioxidants as a means of removing excessive free radicals from the animal's body and consequent alleviation of high-temperature negative effects on animal production is becoming popular (Liu et al, 2010;Kone et al, 2016;Zeweil and Elgindy, 2016;Li et al, 2018).…”

UTILIZATION OF POMEGRANATE (Punica granatum L.) BY-PRODUCT POWDER AS A NATURAL GROWTH PROMOTER IN GROWING RABBIT DIETS.

“…In addition, PBP had a higher CF content (19.71% vs. 11.43%). In this connection, Zeweil and El-Gindy (2016) reported that pomegranate peel contained 90.00, 82.12, 9.61, 2.35, 13.07, 57.09 for dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber, nitrogen free extract.…”

“…In this connection. Zeweil et al (2016) stated that the total phenolic content of pomegranate peel was 272 mg GAE /g DM. Moreover, Azoz and Basyony (2012) reported that total phenolic content was 270 mg GAE / g Dry weight of this pomegranate by-product.…”

“…Recent studies have found that pomegranate by-products may have the potential to be a good source of nutrients and antioxidants for livestock feeding, such as rabbits (Zeweil and El-Gindy, 2016); Moreover, the antioxidant potential of pomegranate in vivo and in vitro has been proved (Singh et al, 2002).…”

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“…Since it is not economical and even hardly feasible to raise animals without them reproducing, overcoming challenges of oxidative damages associated with reproduction is highly desirable. [14,27,45] Oxidative balance as presented in Figure 1 when triggered cause damages in reproductive activities in animals and human being. Major problems of reproductive performance associated with oxidative stress damage are infertility in female human subjects while in male subjects; it reduces fertilizing capabilities of sperm.…”