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.