| Autor: |
Sierra-Galicia MI; Posgrado en Producción Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Texcoco 56230, Mexico., Rodríguez-de Lara R; Posgrado en Producción Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Texcoco 56230, Mexico., Orzuna-Orzuna JF; Posgrado en Producción Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Texcoco 56230, Mexico., Lara-Bueno A; Posgrado en Producción Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Texcoco 56230, Mexico., García-Muñiz JG; Posgrado en Producción Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Texcoco 56230, Mexico., Fallas-López M; 'Conejos' Centro de Investigación Científica del Estado de México A.C. (COCICEMAC), Coatlinchan 56250, Mexico., Hernández-García PA; Centro Universitario UAEM Amecameca, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Amecameca 56900, Mexico. |
| Abstrakt: |
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with bee pollen (BP) and propolis (PRO) on productive performance, Eimeria oocyst counts in feces, blood metabolites, and the meat quality of growing rabbits. A total of 160 hybrid rabbits (California × New Zealand) of 30 days of age and 643 ± 8.0 g body weight (BW) were assigned to four treatments with 10 replicates each (four rabbits/replicate). The treatments were as follows: (1) CON: rabbits fed basal diet and not supplemented with BP or PRO; (2) BP500: CON + BP (500 mg/kg BW); (3) PRO50: CON + PRO (50 µL/kg BW); and (4) BP + PRO: CON + BP (500 mg/kg BW) + PRO (50 µL/kg BW). Higher daily weight gain (p = 0.04) and lower feed conversion rate (p = 0.03) were observed in rabbits supplemented with PRO50. In addition, supplementation with PRO50 and BP + PRO reduced the amount of Eimeria oocysts per gram of feces (p < 0.05). Most hematological and serum biochemical parameters were similar in rabbits of all treatments. Protein content, collagen, and meat color were similar between treatments. In conclusion, propolis supplementation (50 µL/kg BW) can prevent coccidiosis and act as a natural growth promoter in rabbits without affecting animal health and meat quality. |
