GROWTH PERFORMANCE, DIGESTIBILITIES BLOOD METABOLITES AND CARCASS TRAITS OF NEW ZEALAND WHITE MALE RABBITS AS AFFECTED BY HEAT STRESS AND SUPPLEMENTATION OF ASCORBIC ACID

Sixty New Zealand White (NZW) growing male rabbits about four weeks of age and initially weighing 740g were distributed in four experimental groups (15 rabbits in each), which were used to study the effects of ascorbic acid supplementation on digestibility of nutrients, blood constituents, growth performance and relative profit. First group (Tj) served as control ration, while the second, third and fourth rations (T2 , T3 T4 ) were supplemented with 500, 1000 and 1500 mg/kg diet; respectively.The results indicated that final body weight and daily gain improved with supplementation of ascorbic acid. However, digestion coefficient of DM, OM, CP and NFE were significant (P 0.05) improved by ascorbic acid supplementation. Values of TDN percent were significantly (P 0.05) increased by using T3 and T4 diets when compared to the other groups. Serum urea nitrogen level increased (P 0.05), while cholesterol level was decreased (P 0.05) in growing rabbits fed the ascorbic acid supplemented when compared with those fed the unsupplemented diet. Carcass traits, feed conversion and relative profit were improved due to supplementation of ascorbic acid. Data indicated that a beneficial economical effects of using ascorbic acid, under summer conditions.Keywords: Ascorbic acid, growth performance, digestibility, blood constituents, carcass traits.