Effect of propolis alcoholic extract on the weight gain, carcass traits and cecal pH of growing rabbits

• Main Authors: Joseli Alves Ferreira Zanato, Aderbal Cavalcante Neto, Edanir dos Santos, Jeffrey Frederico Lui, Euclides Braga Malheiros, Ludmila da Paz Gomes da Silva, Rodrigo Dias Coloni
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina 2007-06-01
• Series: Biotemas
• Subjects: propolis; oral administration; zootechnical parameters; Oryctolagus cuniculus
• Online Access: http://www.biotemas.ufsc.br/volumes/pdf/volume202/p59a64.pdf

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of different rates of propolis alcoholic extract (PAE) on the weight gain, carcass traits and cecal pH of growing rabbits. Forty White New Zealand rabbits were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design consisting of four treatments and ten replicates per treatment. The rabbits were allocated individually in wire cages containing a nipple drinker and a semi-automatic feeder. The treatments were: T1 = control, T2 = 1ml of ethanol, T3 = 0.8ml of PAE, and T4 = 1.5ml of PAE. Commercial feed and water were provided ad libitum to the animals, and the treatment with cereal alcohol and PAE was administered orally using a 2ml syringe. It was concluded that the addition of PAE to the rabbits’ feeding resulted in weight gain, carcass traits and cecal pH similar to those of animals which received the diets with ethanol without any addition, except for the paw weight, that was higher in the rabbits which were given PAE, and for the gastric system, that had a higher weight in the rabbits which received no addition to their diet.