Abstract

The current study evaluated the effect of feeding clove (Syzygium aromaticum) as a natural additive on productive performance, digestibility and nutritive value, antioxidant enzymes activities, and immune response of growing rabbits. A total of 48 New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits aged 6 weeks were randomly allocated to 4 groups (12 rabbits/group). Clove buds powder (CLP) was supplemented at 0.5, 1, and 1.5 of basal diet. Four tested diets formulated to contain basal diet without CLP (treatment 1, T1), 0.5 CLP (T2), 1 CLP (T3), and 1.5 CLP (T4). The animals were provided pelleted diets and fresh water ad libitum throughout the experimental period. The rabbits fed diets containing CLP improved FCR (P=0.007) and consumed (P<0.0001) less than those fed control group. The diet containing 1.5 CLP had the best feed conversion ratio (FCR) value (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed among experimental groups in all nutrients digestibility except CP digestibility significantly (P=0.0261) increased with 0.5 and 1 CLP groups compared to control group. Blood total lipid (TL) was significantly decreased (P<0.009) with increasing the dietary level of CLP, (being 379.17 and 361.11 mg/dl for 1 and 1.5 CLP groups vs. 470.84 for the control group). The catalase and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) concentrations significantly (P<0.0001) increased with CLP groups compared to control group. The immunoglobulins titres (IgG and IgM) improved (P>0.05) with rabbits fed CLP diets when compared to those fed the control diet. In conclusion, using CLP as an alternative feed additive in rabbit’s diets up to 1.5 without any adverse effect on productive performance and vital activities. The CLP inclusion in rabbit diets decreased feed intake (FI), improved FCR and increased profitability, moreover, had a positive effect on antioxidant enzyme activity and immunity (IgG and IgM) titres. © 2023, Online Journal of Animal and Feed Research. All Rights Reserved.