INFLUENCE OF SUPPLEMENTARY RED BEETROOTS OR BETAINE DIETARY ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE, BLOOD PROFILES AND ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF GROWING RABBITS

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of dried red beetroots and commercial betaine on blood hematology, lipid profile and immunity status of growing rabbits. A total of 150, unsexed Alexandria line weaned rabbits, at 4 weeks of age were randomly divided into five groups (30 rabbits each). The first group was fed the control diet and the other groups 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th were fed on 0.5 %, 1.0 % of dried red beet, 0.1% and 0.2% of commercial betaine, respectively for 5 weeks. Data revealed that treatment groups with dried red beetroots and commercial betaine recorded the higher live body weight at 9 weeks of age, body weight gain, feed consumption from 4 to 9 weeks and improved feed conversion, mortality rate compared to control group. Red blood cells, hemoglobin and packed cell volume was increased significantly compared to control group. All treatments and increasing red beetroots and betaine levels resulted in high in white blood cells, lymphocyte, total protein, globulin and high density lipoprotein levels compared to control, but, total lipids, cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein values decreased significantly. Liver enzymes and kidney function levels were improved in treatment groups compared to the control group. With dried red beetroots physiological status of growing rabbits was showed an enhanced compared to commercial betaine. The results of economic efficiency indicated that the Alexandria growing rabbit fed 0.5% dried red beetroots has highest relative economic efficiency compared to control, 3nd, 4rd and 5th (108.10, 103.47, 104.72 and 98.79%, respectively). These findings reveled that 0.5 kg/ 100 kg diet may exert beneficial effects on productive performance, hematology parameters, lipid profile and economic efficiency properties of growing rabbits.