EFFICACY OF DIETARY MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAVES SUPPLEMENTATION ON PRODUCTIVITY, CARCASS TRAITS, HEMATO-BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS, ANTIOXIDANTS STATUS AND IMMUNE RESPONSE IN HEAT STRESSED GROWING RABBITS.

This study was conducted to evaluate whether adding Moringa oleifera dry leaves powder (MODLP) as a natural anti-oxidants in the diet, has the potential to attenuate the negative effects of heat stress on growth performance, healthy status, anti-oxidant defense system and immunity of growing rabbits. Weaned NZW rabbits (n=120) were divided into four groups fed basal diet with 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg MODLP/kg. Growth performance parameters were recorded at age intervals from 5-13 wk. Caecal activity, carcass traits, hematological, serum biochemicals, antioxidant and immunity were determined at 13 wk of age. Results show that dietary addition of 200 mg MODLP/kg increased (P<0.05) pulse rate, growth performance parameters, net carcass weight, dressing rate and spleen percentages, beneficial bacteria (lactobacillus) count, hematological parameters, serum high-density lipoproteins, total antioxidant capacity, antibody titer and lysozyme. Abdominal fat percentage, E. coli count, and total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances concentration reduced (P<0.05) 200 mg/kg group. The current study indicated that alleviation of adverse impacts due to heat stress on productivity, blood constituents, oxidative stress and immunity status, can be achieved in growing rabbits through dietary adding Moringa Oleifera dried leaves at a level of 200 mg/kg diet.