Effects of Using L-arginine on Production and Physiological Performance of Rabbits

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects use L-arginine on production and physiological performance of rabbits. Twelve local male rabbits aged 2-3 months with an average weight of 1 kg ± 0.2 have been used in this experiment that lasted for 60 days and was divided into three groups (each group consists of 4 rabbits) a control group was injected with NaCl solution of 1 ml (Normal Saline) into the animal's muscle , a second group given the arginine was injected intramuscularly at an amount of 150 μmol / kg and a third group was drenched 150 μmol / kg of the arginine. The results have shown no significant differences in the amount of feed intake among groups. There was an effect of L-arginine injection in improving the final weight of the animals, the second and third group significantly increased in final body weight (P<0.05) compared to the control group, no significant differences between the experimental groups in feed efficiency. The results showed first and second groups were increased in the white blood cell (W.B.C) concentration compared with the third group. No significant differences between the experimental groups in the red blood cell (R.B.C) hemoglobin (Hb), cholesterol , glucose and globulin concentration. The results were significant observed (P <0.05) in the total protein level of the third group compared to the control and second group, significant observed (P <0.05) for the albumin concentration of the control and third groups compared to the second group, and the results showed a significant effect (P <0.05) in the level of testosterone hormone and growth hormone for the second group compared to the control. The results indicated a significant observed (P <0.05) for the level of the testosterone hormone in the third group when compared with the control group with no differences between the three groups in the characteristics of the carcasses, treatment with Larginine improved the final weight of rabbits as well as an increase in the level testosterone and growth hormone , no effect of the arginine on the blood characteristics and some of the carcass characteristics Except for the differences found in total protein and albumin concentration between experimental groups.