Abstract

EFFECT OF KEFIR INTAKE ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND SOME BIOCHEMICAL PROFILES AMONG DOMESTIC RABBITS

Tarek A. El-Bashiti*, Baker M. Zabut and Asmaa I. Al- Krenawie

ABSTRACT

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of kefir intake on growth performance and some biochemical profiles among domestic rabbits. It was a case-control study experiment and was carried out on the rabbits that lived in normal condition and divided into three groups (one control & two cases 10%-20%). The sample included 24 rabbits at of 35 - 40 days. Each group have 8 rabbits, The highest growth observed in rabbits that took 20% Kefir milk and the lowest growth observed in rabbits that took 10% Kefir milk at first 4 weeks of growth period, but when compared with control group, it was non-significant. The same results were clear after 6 weeks in growth of cases. Total average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio was showed a significant decrease among cases compared to control group. As Kefir concentration increased to 10% of water, there was significant decrease in skin weight, kidneys, spleen, lungs, internal body fats and liver. In contrast, there were significant increases in Caracas, head and viscera weights. But when increased to 20% of water there were significant decreases in internal body fats, viscera weights and liver. On the other hand there were significant decreases in fasting blood sugars (FBS), insulin growth factor1 (IGF-1), low density lipoprotein (LDL), uric acid and free thyroxin as kefir percentage increased to 20%. In contrast to these results, there were significant increases with total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) among groups.

Keywords: Kefir, Rabbits, Biochemical profiles, Growth.