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Published:
Aug 25, 2004Keywords:
CP and DE levels DM protein and energy digestibility pregnant and lactating does
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Effect of Varying Protein and Energy Levels on Dry Matter, Protein and Energy Digestiblity in Pregnant and Lactating Does in the Humid Tropics of Southern Nigeria
Abstract
None AvailableTarget Audience: Researchers and Rabbit Farmers
Dry matter (DM), protein and energy utilization in pregnant and lactating does were determined in a study a 3 x 3 factorial in a completely randomized design. In the first feeding trial which lasted for 31 days, twenty-seven does were assigned to nine dietary treatments, each with three replicates. The diets furnished three crude protein (CP) levels (15.2, 17.0 and 19.0%) and three digestible energy (DE) levels (7.6, 9.6 and 11.5MJ/kg). In the second feeding trial which lasted for 35 days, the does at kindling were re-assigned to another nine treatments. The diets contained three CP levels (16.2, 18.2 and 20.1%) and three DE levels (8.6, 11.2 and 12.5 MJ/kg). All data were subjected to Analysis of variance, correlation and regression analyses. DM matter, protein and energy digestibility in pregnant does were not significantly affected by protein X energy interaction. The effect of energy level was, however, significant (P < 0.05), and protein level significantly (P < 0.05) affected energy digestibility. DM, protein and energy utilization in pregnant does improved significantly (P < 0.01) for every increase in energy level. On the other hand, DM, protein and energy utilization in lactating does were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the protein and energy levels.
Key Words: CP and DE levels; DM, protein and energy digestibility; pregnant and lactating does.
Trop. J. Anim. Sci. Vol.6(1) 2003: 9-17
Dry matter (DM), protein and energy utilization in pregnant and lactating does were determined in a study a 3 x 3 factorial in a completely randomized design. In the first feeding trial which lasted for 31 days, twenty-seven does were assigned to nine dietary treatments, each with three replicates. The diets furnished three crude protein (CP) levels (15.2, 17.0 and 19.0%) and three digestible energy (DE) levels (7.6, 9.6 and 11.5MJ/kg). In the second feeding trial which lasted for 35 days, the does at kindling were re-assigned to another nine treatments. The diets contained three CP levels (16.2, 18.2 and 20.1%) and three DE levels (8.6, 11.2 and 12.5 MJ/kg). All data were subjected to Analysis of variance, correlation and regression analyses. DM matter, protein and energy digestibility in pregnant does were not significantly affected by protein X energy interaction. The effect of energy level was, however, significant (P < 0.05), and protein level significantly (P < 0.05) affected energy digestibility. DM, protein and energy utilization in pregnant does improved significantly (P < 0.01) for every increase in energy level. On the other hand, DM, protein and energy utilization in lactating does were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the protein and energy levels.
Key Words: CP and DE levels; DM, protein and energy digestibility; pregnant and lactating does.
Trop. J. Anim. Sci. Vol.6(1) 2003: 9-17
