@article{eprints620,
          volume = {12},
            year = {2022},
           title = {EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTATION OF PHYTO-ANTIOXIDANT (BAOBAB FRUIT PULP MEAL) ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF RABBIT DOES DURING HEAT STRESS},
       publisher = {Scienceline Publication},
          author = {K. U. Anoh and J. N. Paul and U. M. Amu},
         journal = {Online Journal of Animal and Feed Research},
           month = {March},
          number = {2},
           pages = {89--96},
        abstract = {A study was conducted to evaluate the influence of a phyto-antioxidant (baobab fruit pulp
meal; BFPM) on the reproductive performance of heat-stressed rabbits does. A total of 50 New Zealand
White crosses adult rabbit does of 12 months old were used in the present study. The rabbits were
randomly allotted into five experimental treatment groups, with ten rabbits per treatment in a
completely randomized design. The rabbits were fed diets supplemented with graded levels (0.0\%,
2.5\%, 3.5\%, 4.5\% and 5.5\%) of BFPM. Parameters monitored were thyroxin and progesterone secretion,
serum metabolites, reproductive traits, and physiological performance of the kitten. Initial thyroxin,
progesterone, and serum metabolite levels were low in all the treatment groups, and significantly
increased during and after pregnancy. BFPM significantly improved litter size and weight of litter and
reduced rectal temperature of the kitten. Gestation period, kit weight at weaning, weight gain, and
heart rates of kitten did not show any significant difference. It was concluded that reproductive
performance of does during heat stress is enhanced by the supplementation of phyto-antioxidants and
performance was higher in 5.5\% inclusion level of BFPM.},
             url = {http://eprints.science-line.com/id/eprint/620/},
        keywords = {Antioxidant, Gestation, Heat stress, Rabbit, Reproductive hormones.}
}