BackgroundPreventing oxidative stress in heat stressed animals may be possible by increasing antioxidant defence via exogenous administration of antioxidant substrate and/or its precursors. The study aimed to investigate the effect of Soursop juice in mitigating oxidative stress induced by heat stress in rabbit.MethodsSixty mixed breed rabbit bucks aged 12–18 months old with the average weight of 1826 ± 8.35 g/rabbit, randomly allotted to experimental treatments of four replicates each, in a completely randomized design during high-temperature humidity index in Ado Ekiti, Southwest Nigeria. Soursop juice (SSJ) was administered via oral drenched daily per kg body weight (BW), to designated treatment 1 to 5; 0.55 mlkg−1BW distilled water (control), 0.55 mlkg−1BW SSJ, 1.11 mlkg−1BW SSJ, 1.67 mlkg−1BW SSJ and 2.22 mlkg−1BW SSJ, respectively. Fastened blood samples were collected at days 28 and 56, and assay for serum protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione and lipid peroxidation using standard procedures.ResultResult revealed that SSJ demonstrated hypocholesterolemic effect in a dose-dependent manner throughout the study. Effect of chronic administration of SSJ to heat stressed rabbits proved beneficial, as SSJ reduced serum lipid peroxidation and enhanced antioxidant activity over 8 weeks.ConclusionAdministration of soursop juice to heat-stressed bucks at 2.22 mlkg−1BW offered optimum antioxidant defense against oxidative stress.

Background: This study aimed at determining the effect of pawpaw leaf meal (PLM 26.14% crude protein [CP] and 16.06% crude fiber [CF]) and multi-enzyme (m-E: amylase, beta-glucanase, phytase, cellulase, and xylanase, protease) supplementation in diets on performance, nutrient digestibility, and oxidative status of rabbits. Four experimental diets were formulated and designated as diet 1(0%PLM-mE), diet 2(0%PLM + mE), diet 3(10%PLM-mE), and diet 4(10%PLM + mE). One hundred and twenty (120), 5-week-old rabbits of cross breed rabbits (Chinchilla x New-Zealand white) of equal sexes; weighing 738.21 ± 33 g were randomly distributed to 4 dietary treatments (30 rabbits/treatment; 3 rabbits/replicate). Results: Highest weight gain being recorded in rabbits fed diet 4 is similar to the weight gain recorded for rabbits fed diets 2 and 3 but higher (P < 0.05) than weight gain of rabbits fed diet 1. Best feed conversion ratio (FCR) recorded in rabbits fed diet 4 was comparable to the FCR of rabbits fed diets 2 and 3 but higher (P < 0.05) than FCR of rabbits fed diet 1. Higher CP digestibility recorded in rabbits fed diets 2 and 4 were similar to CP digestibility in rabbits fed diet 3 but higher (P = 0.01) than CP digestibility in rabbits fed with diet 1. The starch digestibility was higher (P < 0.05) in the rabbits fed mE supplemented diets 2 and 4. Higher (P < 0.05) glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were recorded in rabbits fed with diets 3 and 4. Conclusion: PLM inclusion and mE supplementation improved performance, crude protein, and starch digestibility and antioxidant enzyme status of the rabbits.

BackgroundFollowing the ban on the importation of import-dependent fed ingredients in most developing countries, the need to look inward for local content is now compelling. Thus, leaf meals that have phytogenic additive potentials are envisaged will be a viable feed ingredient in rabbit diets.MethodsThe effect of dietary inclusion of gliricidia leaf meal (GLM) with or without multi-enzyme (E) supplementation in rabbits was investigated using ninety-six 35-day old rabbits of crossbreed (Newzealand and Chinchilla). One basal diet that met the requirements of growing rabbit was formulated (Diet 1). Thereafter, another two diets were formulated to contain 15% GLM and 15% GLM plus multi-enzyme at 1 g/kg and designated as diets 2 and 3 respectively. The rabbits were randomly distributed into the 3 diets (32 rabbits/treatment; 4 rabbits/replicate) and fed their respective experimental diets for 8 weeks.ResultsThe body weight and daily weight gain of the rabbits fed on GLM free diet and those on GLM-based diets (diets 1 and 2) were similar at finishing period of 63–91 day but have lower (P < 0.01) values than those rabbits fed GLM + E based diet (diet 3) at finishing period (63–91 days) and whole fattening period (35-91 days). The apparent dry matter and crude protein digestibility of rabbits fed control diet and those fed 15% GLM based diet were lower (P < 0.05) than those fed 15% GLM + E-based diet. Triglycerides concentration of rabbits fed 15% GLM-based diet without enzyme addition were lower (P < 0.05) than those observed for rabbits on the rest test diets. Cholesterol and Low-Density Lipoprotein levels of rabbits fed 15% GLM and 15% GLM + E-based diets were lower (P < 0.05) than those fed the GLM free diet. The superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase of rabbits fed the GLM free diet (diet 1) were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those fed the 15%GLM and 15% GLM + E-based diets.ConclusionDietary inclusion of GLM at 15% of the diet did not have a negative effect on the rabbits postweaning period (35–63 days) but will require multi-enzyme supplementation to enhance growth indices at finishing period (63–91 day) without precipitating negative effect on the rabbits’ health status.

Se diseñó un estudio para evaluar la idoneidad del jugo de sandía como diluyente del semen de conejo y la tasa de concepción conejos hembra inseminados. La sandía madura (Citrus lanatus) se obtuvo y procesó en jugo usando el procedimiento estándar. Para el ensayo se usaron un total de 10 conejo macho y 90 conejo hembra , todos de raza New Zealand White x Chinchilla. El semen se recolectó de los conejo macho utilizando una vagina artificial y se diluyó con jugo de sandía a una proporción 1: 0, 1: 0.25, 1: 0.67, 1: 1.5, 1: 4 o con solución salina normal 1:1; y se designó como T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 y T6 respectivamente. El análisis del semen se realizó en semen fresco y los diversos semen se diluyeron inmediatamente hasta 370C. Quince de cada uno fueron asignar al azar para el tratamiento diferente en un diseño completamente al azar y se inseminaron con su tratamiento respectivo utilizando el procedimiento estándar. La tasa de concepción, el tamaño de la camada y el índice de productividad al nacer se juzgado al final del período de gestación. El resultado obtenido reveló que el rango de valores obtenidos para la movilidad del espermatozoide, la integridad de la membrana estructural y la integridad del acrosoma está dentro de los valores aceptados para el semen de buena calidad. La tasa de concepción de inseminación con semen diluido con jugo de sandía a una proporción 1: 1.5 fue la tasa de dilución óptima con 75%. El tamaño de la camada fue significativamente (p

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