The objective of the current work is to investigate the possible beneficial effects of
forced feeding of fenugreek to rabbit does on their milk composition, milk yield,
anemia screening parameters, immunity and the growth performance of bunnies.
Twenty white New Zealand female rabbits were randomly assigned into 5 groups:
normal control and 4 treated groups (vehicle (molasses), fenugreek powdered seeds
+ molasses, sprouted fenugreek + molasses, and fenugreek oil + molasses). All
treated groups took the given doses orally for two days before parturition and 13
days after parturition for 2 successive pregnancies. Blood samples were collected
from each doe on the 13th day of lactation for determination of hematological, biochemical
and immunological parameters. Milk samples were taken for evaluation of
milk composition. All rabbit does and their bunnies were weighed for calculation of
the milk yield. The fenugreek seeds and oil administered groups (G3 & G5) recorded
the highest percent values of fat, protein, lactose, total solids and solid not fat contents
of the rabbits’ milk in both 1st and 2nd lactation periods relative to other tested groups.
At the beginning and mid of lactation periods, the milk yields recorded non-significant
differences either between tested groups or between 1st and 2nd pregnancy in the same
group. Whereas, at the end of lactation, germinated seeds (G4) and oil (G5) treated
groups recorded significantly higher rates of milk yield relative to control and fenugreek
seeds groups. Bunnies’ body weights suckling from dams of group III (G3) recorded
the highest weights relative to other tested groups in both 1st and 2nd pregnancy.
During the 1st lactation period, all experimental groups showed significant reduction
of white blood cells, while, G3 and G4 recorded significant elevation during 2nd lactation period. Rabbits treated with fenugreek seeds powder (G3) showed a significant raise of phagocytic activity and phagocytic index. Fenugreek seeds group (G3)
and germinated one (G4) showed significant red blood corpuscles and packed cell
volume raise relative to other groups during both 1st and 2nd lactation periods.
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