Article Type: Research Article Article Citation: Otchoumou Kraidy Athanase, Wognin Légbé Marie Flavienne Raïssa, Yao Konan Franck, and Niamké
Sébastien. (2020). PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF CONCENTRATE BY OF IPOMEA BATATAS
LEAVES IMPROVES LITTER SIZE AND SURVIVAL OF YOUNG RABBITS ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS.
International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH, 8(11), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v8.i11.2020.2089 Received Date: 05 October 2020 Accepted Date: 17 November 2020
Keywords: Ipomea Batatas
Leaves Feeding Rabbit Does Gestation Litter Traits This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of use of Ipomea batatas leaves in the feeding of breeding rabbits. To this end, 28 rabbits does (3.2 kg to 3.5 kg), divided into 2 batches (100% concentrate and 50% concentrate supplemented with 50% Ipomea batatas leaves) have been used. The pregnancy rates were 100% identical. No difference (P> 0.05) was noted between the average feed intake of pregnant rabbits before the farrowing. This parameter was higher in rabbits fed 50% concentrate supplemented with 50% Ipomea batatas leaves after births. The mean litter size of the batches fed the mixture feed was (7.66 rabbits / dam) higher (P <0.05) than that of the 100% concentrate lot (6.85 rabbits / dam). At birth, the mean weight of the rabbits in the 100% concentrated lot (48.29g) was significantly higher (P <0.05) than that of 50% concentrate supplemented with 50% Ipomea batatas leaves (47.74). The rabbits of the 50% concentrate lot supplemented with Ipomea batatas leaves had a survival rate (85.71%) higher than those of the 100% concentrate batch (74.50) at weaning.
1. INTRODUCTIONCôte d'Ivoire, like many other developing
countries of the world has a protein deficiency gap, especially that of high
animal protein. This deficit in animal protein intake has a profound impact on
the health status and well-being of the population. The inadequate supply of
protein from the traditional livestock (cattle, sheep, goats
and poultry) should entail an intensification of the efforts to improve the
productivity of the farm animals especially that with short cycle such as the
rabbit. The Ivorian rabbit industry has in recent years remarkable development.
This development is, however, hampered by a number of
factors including the high cost of food which accounts for more than 70% of the
production costs of rabbit farms. As a result, breeders and actors in the
national scientific research system are constantly looking for alternative
solutions that can contribute to lowering the cost of feed. It is in this
context that studies have been undertaken with a view to developing the food
resources available locally and accessible at a reduced cost in the rabbits’
diet. The studies carried out on the valorization of fodder have given fairly
satisfactory results which make it possible today to judge the nutritional
interest of some forages (Abelmoschus
esculentus, Vigna unguiculata, Corchorus olitorius,
Ipomea batatas, Solanum melongena, Leuceana leucocephala, Puerarea phaseoloides) for fattening animals [1],
[2],
[3]. The
results of these trials suggest the possibility of using these forages for the production of feed for breeders. The results of
these studies suggest the possibility of using these forages for
the production of feed for breeders. As a result, it was considered
essential to extend the studies on young rabbits to breeding females. The
purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of potato leaves on
reproductive performance (fertility, gestation length, litter size, birth
weight of rabbits) on rabbits and on litter survival.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS2.1. ANIMALS AND MANAGEMENTThe experiment was held out in traditional rabbitary farm of Bingerville municipality, located on latitudes 5° 21'708 "North and longitudes 3° 54'639" west in Côte d’Ivoire. The study included 16 adult rabbits from mating between New Zealand White X California. The rabbits were composed of 7 males ranging in weight from 2.5 kg to 2.9 kg and 28 females weighing between 3.2 and 3.5 kg body weight. They were housed individually and fed in wire-netting (70 × 40 × 50 cm) equipped with aluminum feeders and drinkers. The cages, feeders and drinkers were thoroughly washed and disinfected before rabbits were allocated into them. These animals from the same herd were selected according to their weight and performance. Thus 28 crosses were made and allowed to obtain young rabbits. We proceeded by the selection of male and female breeders. The breeders selected were those who had two births each. The selection criterion of males was at least one year of age. Two animal bands were formed: one strip with 14 females fed only with 100% concentrate and the second with 14 females receiving 50% concentrate and 50% Ipomea batatas leaves. The males were fed with 100% concentrate. After 14 feeding days, we proceeded to the male of the female for mating and observed the effectiveness of projections for 1/4 hour. Each male. Once the projections were completed, the female was immediately removed from the male's cage and returned to that of the maternity ward; then we noted the date of the coupling, the number of the female and that of the male. Each male received a total of 4 females consisting of 2 females from each band. Five days later, we proceed to test protests, that is to say, bring the female back into the male's cage and observe for 1/4 hour, if she could accept the male again (negative test). When she was pregnant, we wrote down the likely date of farrowing after mating [4]. After the farrowing, we counted with the help of a stick the little rabbits born. The rabbits from these kiddings were singly weighed with an electronic precision balance1/100 every week until 35 days (weaning age). The young rabbits were stayed with their mother, with a free access to water and feed. Female’s feed intake (FI) was taken as the difference between the feed supplied and left over for each replicate per day. The young rabbits were weighed on weekly basis and weight gain for each animal per week was calculated as the difference between the present weight and the weight for the previous week. The daily weight gain (DWG) was obtained by dividing the total weight gain by the number of days. 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS3.1. GESTATION, KINDLING AND BIRTHSAt the end of the palpation, it was found
that 100% of the females put in experimentation were declared pregnant (Table
1). All the rabbits fed 50% concentrate and 50% Ipomea batatas leaves, gave birth. This suggests that Ipomea batatas leaves would not contain
any substance that can directly or indirectly reduce the effectiveness of
embryo growth hormones as has been demonstrated with nem
leaves. Indeed Suryawanshi [5]
reports that the chemical constituents of neem stimulate the immune system of
pregnant females to reduce the effectiveness of growth hormones of embryos at
the blastocyst stage. However, these hormones intervene in cell differentiation
and survival, especially during embryogenesis [6] by
stimulating cell mitosis. This blockage of embryonic epithelial growth factor
activity during the first week of management causes degeneration of embryos at
the blastocyst stage [5],
[7],
[8]. All
lots combined; the earliest farrowing took place on the 31th
day of pregnancy against 33 days for the longest gestations. Toleba et al. [9] reported gestational time ranging from 31 to 34 days in rabbits fed
forage. Defan et
al. [10] also
noted an average gestation time of 31 days in rabbits fed different forages
complemented to concentrate. While in this study, the mean duration of gestation recorded in the
batch fed with concentrate combined with Ipomea
batatas leaves (32,28±0,72 day) was longer than that of the females in the
control lot (31,71±0,72 day) (P ˂ 0,05). No cases of aborted fetuses were
found during the study. Females in the control lot had a higher farrowing rate
at day 31(21.42%) (P <0.05) than females fed 50%
concentrate and 50% Ipomea batatas
leaves (7.14%). Chrysostome et al.
[11] noted that local rabbits had an average gestation
duration of 31.8 days. The results obtained in the batches of this experiment are in agreement with the results obtained by these authors
on the females of local breeds. At day 32, the farrowing rate is similar for
all the batches (21.42%), which is not the case for the 33rd day because this
parameter is higher in females stuck with pellet and potato leaves (21.42% vs
7.14%) (p < 0.05). 3.2. LITTER PERFORMANCESFigure 1 shows the growth curve of young rabbits from birth to weaning. This evolution is regular throughout the growth period for all treatments. However, it shows two phases during which the evolution of the live weight according to the diet is different. Indeed, between the birth and the 7th day, the growth between the lots is simular. Beyond this, the live weight of the rabbits in the batch where the mother receives 100% concentrate throughout the reproductive cycle remains higher than the other batch (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Evolution of young rabbits fed with different types of feed The average
litter size at birth, at weaning of batch of 50%
concentrate and 50% Ipomea batatas
leaves (7.66 ± 0.81 and 7.00 ± 1.87 respectively) was higher than that recorded in the other batch of 100% concentrate
(6.85 ± 0.89 and 6.33 ± 1.21) but the weight of their litter was highest (48.29±5.13g vs 47.74±2.41g and 617,37 ± 70.17g vs 580 ± 23.51g) (P ˂ 0.05) (Table 1). The litter size in this
study compares favourably with the litter size range
of 6.75 – 7.75 and 6.72 – 7.75 respectively at birth and at weaning reported by
Ironkwe and Ukanwoko [12] but higher than the litter sizes of 4.24 and 5.00 –6.25
reported by Iheukwumere [13]-. This result indicates the Ipomea batatas leaves favors the number litter in breeding females
(Table 1). While the values of litter weight at birth
and at weaning were inferior to those reported by Defan
et al. [10]- with concentrate plus L. hexandre (48.76 g and 218 g) and concentrate associated
to P maximum (49.60 g and 305 g) for
the litter weight at birth. This difference can be attribued
to forage used. However, the litter weight at weaning was higher than those
reported by Defan et al. [10]
whatever the forage used. Table 1: Reproductive performance of rabbit does and litters traits
Values in the same column with different superscripts were significantly different (P<0.05) 3.3.
THE SURVIVAL OF YOUNG RABBITS
Mortality is
highest in the control lot (100% concentrate) from birth to weaning. The majority of the deceased in the control group had first
bloated belly before dying. In addition to breastmilk, rabbits also benefited
from food served to their mothers. Thus, those who had the leaves at their
disposal could see their digestive transit facilitated, which could surely lead
to high survival. The mortality can be attributed to as trampling in certain
cases.
Figure
2: Evolution of feeding intake of
rabbit does 3.4. FEMALES FEED INTAKENo significant difference (P>0.05) was
observed for feed consumption during gestation period (Figure 3). The increase
of feed intake from the beginning of gestation to the 21st day in females must
be attributed to their physiological state. Indeed, in addition to their
individual need, females must also meet the nutritional needs of their fetuses.
For this purpose, Fortun-Lamothe and Lebas [14]
mention that, in order to meet the higher energy
requirements related to the maintenance energy needs of fetuses, rabbits
increase their diet consumption during pregnancy. The decreased of feed intake
observed during gestation (21st and 28th day of gestation) coincides with the
period of preparation of the nest box by females. During this period, when
rabbits are busy peeling and wrapping the nest box with hairs, the amount of
time spent feeding is thus reduced. During lactation, feed intake was significantly
(P<0.05) higher for rabbits fed diet containing concentrate and Ipomea batatas (Figure 3). This
observation was made by Defang et al.
[10] in the rabbits fed diet containing concentrate and forage
combination. The difference in feed intake could be attributed to difference in
the energy quantity of diet. Indeed, during the lactation, the energy requirement of rabbit increases
and to compensate for the deficit due to the leaf combination, the rabbits must
ingest more feed. 4. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONSThe study of the incorporation of Ipomea batatas leaves into the diet of rabbits revealed an improvement in their performance. Indeed, the association of Ipomea batatas leaves in the feed has allowed an increase in the number of litters, to reduce the morbidity and the mortality of the rabbits, to have an average weight of the rabbits at the birth and the weaning of acceptable. It would also be important to know the influence of Ipomea batatas leaves on dairy production in rabbits. SOURCES OF FUNDINGThis research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. CONFLICT OF INTERESTThe author have declared that no competing interests exist. ACKNOWLEDGMENTNone. REFERENCES
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