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animal biotechnology
tylor and francis
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Abstract: |
Sixty-four male New Zealand White rabbits, 4 weeks old, were used to study the effects of
feed restriction (FR) on growth performance, carcass traits, and some blood parameters.
Rabbits were randomly allotted to 4 equal groups. The first group was fed ad libitum (control
group). The second, third, and fourth groups were restricted from 4 to 8 (R4–8), 8 to 12
(R8–12), and 4 to 12 (R4–12) weeks of age, respectively. Restricted groups were fed 85% of
the control. Means of live body weights (LBW), average daily gain weights (ADGW), relative
growth rate (RGR) were calculated. Carcass traits and blood parameters were measured.
Results showed that, FR reduced LBW, ADGW and RGR in R4–8 and R4–12 groups. However,
FR did not impair the previous traits in R8–12 group. Carcass weight was not impaired in
R8–12 group. However, FR reduced kidney fat in all restricted groups. Feed restriction
reduced hemoglobin, red blood cell (RBC) and platelet levels in R4–8 and/or R4–12 groups.
However, RBC and platelet levels were not altered in R8–12 group. Conclusively, FR impaired
growth performance, carcass weight and blood parameters in R4–8 and R4–12 groups, however,
the previous traits were not impaired in R8–12 group.
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