The influence of synthetic and natural antioxidants on the performance of heat-stressed rabbits does reproductive function in a tropical climate

Abstract

A total of thirty-six matured rabbit Does were used to study the impact of natural and synthetic antioxidants on the ability of heat-stressed rabbits to reproduce in a tropical climate. Using a completely randomized design, the rabbits were divided into four treatment groups, each consisting of 9 rabbits (6 Does and 3 bucks): (T1) control diet; (T2) diet supplemented with sodium bicarbonate; (T3) diet containing synthetic Vitamin C; and (T4) diet supplemented with Baobab fruit pulp meal (BFPM), as a natural antioxidant. The Does were served feed and water ad libitum. Five ml of blood samples were collected from the ear veins of rabbits chosen randomly from each treatment of rabbit treatments, respectively, before, during, and after pregnancy, for the evaluation of thyroxine hormone concentrations and serum metabolite. The rabbits’ ability to reproduce was also evaluated. Thyroxine secretion and serum glucose increased significantly(p<0.05) after kindling. The vitamin antioxidants improved the reproductive performance of the Does (p<0.05). The rectal temperature significantly (p<0.05) decreased while the serum metabolites of the kits increased in the BFPM treatments. Supplementing with BFPM, a naturally occurring antioxidant can help reduce stress by heat in reproductive Does. BFPM might be a part of a reproductive diet in the tropics for efficient reproduction.