Influence of dietary coriander seeds and administration of Lactobacillus acidophilus on the performance of growing rabbits under subtropical climatic conditions

This study investigated the effects of coriander seed powder and <i>Lactobacillus acidophilus</i> solution (LAS) on the growth, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, and intestinal health of growing rabbits under subtropical conditions. Forty Californian rabbits, aged 35 days with an average body weight of 588 ± 34 g, were randomly assigned to four groups: a control group fed a standard diet, a group (T1) receiving the basal diet supplemented with 1.5% coriander seed powder, a group (T2) receiving the basal diet with oral LAS at 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg, and a group (T3) receiving both coriander seed powder and LAS. The study measured body weight, daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, mortality rate, blood metabolites, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal histomorphology. Results showed that rabbits fed with 1.5% coriander seed powder had significant improvements in body weight gain, feed conversion, and a reduction in mortality compared to the control. Both coriander seed powder and LAS improved blood metabolites, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal health. However, the combination of both additives did not provide additional benefits over the individual treatments. The findings suggest that either 1.5% coriander seed powder or LAS can enhance growth performance and health in rabbits under subtropical conditions.