IMPACT OF USING Moringa oleifera LEAVES MEAL IN GROWING RABBIT DIETS ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE, CARCASS TRAITS AND BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES UNDER HEAT-STRESS CONDITIONS

Abstract

: This study examined the effects of giving Moringa oleifera leaves (MOLM) in diets on growing rabbits raised under heat-stress circumstances on growth performance, blood biochemical changes and carcass characteristics. Seventy-two New Zealand White rabbits weighing 700 ± were randomly divided into four treatment groups. The first group (control) baseline diet. Second, third, and fourth treatments were diets containing and 7.5% of MOLM. Daily and water were ad libitum. Body weight, weight gain, and feed intake were tracked as growth performance. after 8 weeks three rabbits from each treatment were randomly chosen, starved for 18 hours, and then slaughtered to evaluate carcass attributes. Blood samples were obtained to measure the biochemical blood changes, cortisol, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine levels. The results showed that the rabbits levels. Conclusively, this study showed positive effects on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and biochemical blood indicators were seen when rabbits were fed diets containing 2.5, 5.0, or 7.5% Moringa oleifera. In addition, It may also help the animals' capacity to deal with high temperatures.