<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with black cumin seed meal on growth performance parameters, coccidia oocyst counts, plasma biochemical parameters and cecal fermentation processes in growing rabbits. A total of 40 male Californian rabbits at 35 days of age were divided into two feeding groups: Control (complete rabbit diet) and Black cumin (2% of the complete diet was replaced with black cumin seed meal). Dietary supplementation with black cumin did not affect growth performance parameters, but it reduced coccidia oocyst counts in the feces of 63-day-old rabbits. Increased liver weight and elevated plasma albumin levels were noted in these rabbits. A significant decrease in small intestinal digesta viscosity was also observed in rabbits fed a diet supplemented with black cumin seed meal. The above change suppressed the formation of putrefactive compounds, i.e. ammonia and branched short-chain fatty acids (SCFA s) in the cecum, but it did not decrease the production of major SCFA s, i.e. acetic, propionic and butyric acids. The current study demonstrated that the dietary addition of 2% black cumin seed meal exerted a modulatory effect on gastrointestinal function, but it did not compromise microbial enzyme activity or SCFA production in the cecum.</p>
</abstract>

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with black cumin seed meal on growth performance parameters, coccidia oocyst counts, plasma biochemical parameters and cecal fermentation processes in growing rabbits. A total of 40 male Californian rabbits at 35 days of age were divided into two feeding groups: Control (complete rabbit diet) and Black cumin (2% of the complete diet was replaced with black cumin seed meal). Dietary supplementation with black cumin did not affect growth performance parameters, but it reduced coccidia oocyst counts in the feces of 63-day-old rabbits. Increased liver weight and elevated plasma albumin levels were noted in these rabbits. A significant decrease in small intestinal digesta viscosity was also observed in rabbits fed a diet supplemented with black cumin seed meal. The above change suppressed the formation of putrefactive compounds, i.e. ammonia and branched short-chain fatty acids (SCFA s) in the cecum, but it did not decrease the production of major SCFA s, i.e. acetic, propionic and butyric acids. The current study demonstrated that the dietary addition of 2% black cumin seed meal exerted a modulatory effect on gastrointestinal function, but it did not compromise microbial enzyme activity or SCFA production in the cecum.

Performance Indicators, Coccidia Oocyst Counts, Plasma Biochemical Parameters and Fermentation Processes in the Cecum of Rabbits Fed a Diet with the Addition of Black Cumin Seed Meal

Department of Fur-bearing Animal Breeding and Game Management, Faculty of Animal Bioengineering

Annals of Animal Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with black cumin seed meal on growth performance parameters, coccidia oocyst...

Performance Indicators, Coccidia Oocyst Counts, Plasma Biochemical Parameters and Fermentation Processes in the Cecum of Rabbits Fed a Diet with the Addition of Black Cumin Seed Meal

Published Online: Jan 27, 2023

Page range: 155 - 164

Received: Apr 27, 2022

Accepted: Aug 30, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2022-0065

Keywords
rabbit feeding, black cumin, intestinal physiology, blood biochemical parameters, microbial fermentation processes

© 2022 Janusz Strychalski et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Performance Indicators, Coccidia Oocyst Counts, Plasma Biochemical Parameters and Fermentation Processes in the Cecum of Rabbits Fed a Diet with the Addition of Black Cumin Seed Meal

Published Online: Jan 27, 2023

Page range: 155 - 164

Received: Apr 27, 2022

Accepted: Aug 30, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2022-0065

Keywordsrabbit feeding, black cumin, intestinal physiology, blood biochemical parameters, microbial fermentation processes

© 2022 Janusz Strychalski et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
rabbit feeding, black cumin, intestinal physiology, blood biochemical parameters, microbial fermentation processes