Reproductive Performance And Physiological Response Of Rabbit Does As Affected By Supplementation Rosella (Hibiscus Sabdariffa) And Anise Seeds (Pimpinella Anisum L.)

This study examined the impact of supplementing natural feed with rosella flowers and anise seeds on certain physiological and reproductive traits in New Zealand White rabbits does. Thirty New Zealand White (NZW) does, aged 6-8 months and weighing an average of 2.984 ± 125.76 kg, were randomly assigned to six experimental groups, each consisting of five rabbits. Anise seeds and rosella flowers were incorporated into the control diet at levels of 0.05% (0.5 g/kg) and 0.1% (1 g/kg), respectively. The present results showed that body weight changes during gestation and the suckling period significantly(P<0.05) increased with the supplementation of 0.05% rosella flowers. The inclusion of 0.05% and 0.1% rosella flowers, as well as 0.05% anise seeds and a combination of 0.05% rosella flowers with 0.05% anise seeds in the diets of the does, significantly enhanced conception rates, litter size, litter weight, litter weight (g/head) , and litter weight gain from birth to weaning, leading to a significant (P <0.05) reduction in mortality rates (%). Additionally, milk yield and the chemical composition of fat and lactose were significantly (P <0.05) boosted by the supplementation of rosella flowers, anise seeds at the 0.05% level, and the combination of 0.05% rosella flowers with 0.05% anise seeds when compared to the control group. The data indicated that the supplementation of anise seeds and rosella flower led to a substantial increase in total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase activity, and glutathione reductase levels, as well as in the concentrations of immunoglobulin IgA, IgG, and IgM. Conversely, there was a notable decrease in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Conclusively, the findings of the current study suggest that incorporating dietary supplements of rosella flower and anise seeds at a concentration of 0.05% each, as well as a combination of 0.05% rosella flower and 0.05% anise seeds, into rabbit diets enhances their reproductive and physiological traits.