Bee pollen and propolis as dietary supplements for rabbit: Effect on reproductive performance of does and on immunological response of does and their offspring

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of bee pollen (BP) and/or propolis (Pro) supplementation on rabbit does, 64 nulliparous NZW rabbits does were distributed among eight groups (eight animals/group). One unsupplemented group was the control; the other seven groups were supplemented, respectively, with zinc bacitracin (ZnB) at 100 mg, BP at 150 and 300 mg, Pro at 150 and 300 mg, BP+Pro at 150 and 300 mg of each three times/week, day after day continuously along eight parities. The BP300, Pro300 and BP+Pro150 groups had higher body weight of litter at birth and number of kids born alive. The BP supplementation at 150 mg increased plasma total protein and albumin than the control group. The BP or Pro at 150 mg decreased plasma T3 than the other groups except for BP+Pro150. The ZnB group had significantly greater T3/T4 ratio compared to BP, Pro and BP+Pro at 150 mg. The BP+Pro150 group had less ALT than the control; BP300 and Pro 300 mg resulted in lower plasma AST than the groups Pro150 with or without BP and the control group. The plasma alkaline phosphatase of BP at 150 or 300 mg and BP+Pro150 was significantly greater than that of the Pro150 group. The BP+Pro300 group had higher WBCs than the other groups. In contrast, the lymphocytes were greater in the Pro and BP+Pro300 groups than in BP, Pro and BP+Pro at 150 mg. The groups supplemented with BP and BP+Pro at 150 and 300 mg had significantly greater SRBCs of doe rabbits and their offspring compared to the control and the ZnB group. The BP at 300 mg increased the serum albumin and α1‐globulin than the control group. The Pro300 group had greater serum α2‐globulin and β‐globulin than the control group. The total globulin was significantly greater for the 300 mg propolis‐supplemented groups than the control.

Evaluation of the carryover effect of antibiotic, bee pollen and propolis on growth performance, carcass traits and splenic and hepatic histology of growing rabbits

“…Very interestingly, these improvements in the hepatic cell morphology due to the supplementation of bee pollen and propolis mixture were concurred with a decrease in hepatic enzymes leakage observed at 150 and 300 ppm of bee pollen and propolis mixture at doe level reported by Attia et al (). The present results are in line with those reported by Galal, AbdEl‐Motaal, Ahmed, and Zaki (), Seven et al () and Attia, Al‐Hanoun, and Bovera (), Attia et al ().…”

“…19, Nanpu Ecological Industrial Park, Pucheng, Fujian, P. R. China) at 100 mg; the groups three and four were supplemented with bee pollen (produced by a local Egyptian company), respectively, at 150 and 300 mg (BP150 and BP300 groups); the groups five and six were supplemented with propolis (Henan Boom, China), respectively, at 150 and 300 mg (Pro150 and Pro300 groups); the groups seven and eight were supplemented with a mixture of bee pollen and propolis, respectively, at 150 and 300 mg of each (BP150+Pro150 and BP300+Pro300 groups). The productive performance of the rabbit does, followed along eight parities, has been described in a previous research (Attia et al, ).…”

Challenges to the Poultry Industry: Current Perspectives and Strategic Future After the COVID-19 Outbreak

“…Passive and active immunity and building antibodies are affected by nutrition, quantitative and qualitative feed constituents, and hygiene. Fatty acids, protein/amino acids, minerals, and vitamins are vitally important for enhancing immunity and health ( 60 ). In general, under stress conditions, low hygiene, disease outbreaks, and the absence of effective treatment and vaccines such as the COVID-19 pandemic, enhancing protection, prevention, and control programs it is essential to improve health to ensure sustained animal performance and economic success ( 58 , 59 ).…”

“…In general, under stress conditions, low hygiene, disease outbreaks, and the absence of effective treatment and vaccines such as the COVID-19 pandemic, enhancing protection, prevention, and control programs it is essential to improve health to ensure sustained animal performance and economic success ( 58 , 59 ). Plant-based bioactive substances, antioxidants, and micronutrients are essential under the circumstances, i.e., stress and COVID-19, and have been recommended to enhance the health of the public and animals for decades in folk medicine ( 15 , 54 , 57 – 60 ). The deficiency of nutrients may increase the threat of emerging diseases such as COVID-19 and thus assuring adequate supplementation with vitamins C, E, and D is essential under such condition ( 61 – 65 ).…”

Corrigendum

“…In Attia et al (), the affiliations of the authors Sameer A. Nagadi and Saber Sh. Hassan were incorrect.…”