Physiological responses of rabbit buck fed diets supplemented with varied levels of nutmeg seed meal, clove leaf meal, and their composite mix

Abstract Fifty-six Hyla breeds of 12-week-old rabbit bucks were randomly distributed across 7 diet groups comprising the control, 0.25% nutmeg seed meal (NSM), 0.50%, 0.25% clove leaf meal (CLM), 0.50% CLM, 0.25% composite nutmeg and clove leaf meal mix (CNCM), and 0.50%CNCM. At the end of the 8 weeks of the experiment, 3 bucks per diet group were sacrificed. The growth performance, haematology, serum biochemical indices, and testicular morphometry of the buck were assessed. The different diet groups significantly increased (P<0.05) the feed intake, weight gained, and feed conversion ratio compared to the control. The highest weight gained and best feed conversion ratio were observed among bucks fed 0.25% CNCM. Dietary supplementation of NSM, CLM, and CLCM at 0.25 and 0.50% levels did not affect (P>0.05) the blood parameters, serum proteins, enzymes, and metabolites except for serum glutathione and catalase activity which revealed that the phytochemicals in NSM and CNCM could effectively combat free scavenging radicals. Testicular weight and densities were positively influenced (P<0.05) by dietary supplements which are indicative of better testicular functions compared to the control. Hence, the synergetic effect of NSM and CLM at 0.25% supplementation level could be incorporated into Bucks’ diet for better productivity.