Ukpai et

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Sciences 1 (2011)
in Sciences 97-10197-101
1 (2011)

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New Clues in Sciences

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Performance Evaluations and Gonadal Weights of Rabbits Exposed to Vitamin

C, Vitamin E in the Humid Tropics Southern Nigeria

O.O. Ukpai,1 M.A. Yahaya1 and P. K. Ajuogu2,

1
Department of Animal Science Faculty of Agriculture, Rivers State University of Science Technology Port Harcourt, Rivers State,
Nigeria
2
Department of Animal Science and Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Article history: Performance and gonadal responses of rabbits exposed to vitamin C, E, and
Accepted: their synergism was monitored in an environment that lasted for 30 days.
Available online: 3decembre 2011 Twenty four (24) adult rabbits of equal male (buck) and female (doe) ratio,
were randomly assigned to four vitamin C and E based treatment groups in a
Randomized Complete Block Experimented Design (RCBD) designated as
follow, Treatment group A = No vitamin /kg feed, Treatment group B =
Keywords: 500mg vitamin C/kg feed, Treatment group C = 3000IU vitamin E /kg feed,
Treatment group D = 1000mg Vitamin C and 6000IU vitamin E/kg feed.
Rabbits, From the results, the mean final weight, mean weight gain (kg), percent final
performance, weight gain, mean total feed intake, mean daily feed intake, feed conversion
gonadal weights Vitamin C, ratio, were significantly (P<0.05) affected positively by the additive Vitamin
Vitamin E, C, E and their synergism. Also, Vitamin C, E and Vitamin C and E combina-
Synergism, tion, had a positive significant influence on the gonadal weights amongst the
Humid Tropics treatment groups. It was therefore concluded that vitamin C, vitamin E and
their synergism had a positive additive influence on both performance indices
and gonadal weights of both male and female rabbits.

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1. INTRODUCTION tries in general and Nigeria in particular [2]. Feed which

Rabbit’s obvious comparative advantage over
other animal farm species, can effectively ameliorate the
problem of animal protein shortages in developing coun-
* Corresponding author.
email address: ajuogukelechi@yahoo.com
2011 woaj Ltd. All rights reserved
constitute about 70% of the total cost in monogastrict
animal production is a major factor limiting the produc-
tion of animals especially rabbits.
In most developing countries, the search for
non conventional feed additives to replace or promote
effective utilization of the expensive conventional ones
appears to occupy the attention of the animal scientist
[12; 13; 14]. Incorporating herbal plants and other ex-

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 Ukpai et al / New Clues in Sciences 1 (2011) 97-101
ogenous substances has been tried by many researchers
to enhance production and promote health for example,
the use of mangrove plant [11] Alconea cordifolia [15],
esthylsteron and ampicilin [16] anti-fungi- antibiotic
combinations as broiler feed additive [17] etc.
Vitamin C supplementations have been re-
ported to aid in the control of increase in body tempera-
ture and plasma corticosteroid concentration, improves
shell and egg quality through its formation of the shells
organic matrix, protect immune system and reduce mor-
tality of growing rabbits [9]. [8] reported that addition of
ascorbic acid, (200-600mg) in diets, improves growths,
feeds efficiency, and livability in heat stress. [1] re-
vealed that vitamin C, aids conversion of protein, and fat
into energy for production and survivability through
increase corticosteroid secretion. Also Vitamin C sup-
plementation increases performance, yield better carcass
trait in broilers reared under heat stress conditions
(32oC) [10].
On the other hand, Vitamin E is a fat soluble
Vitamin that acts as an antioxidant and free radical scav-
enger in lipophilic environments. In addition to its anti-
oxidant activity, [3] reported that it ceases symptoms of
bee sting, enhances sexual performance, heal burns and
wounds, helps to prevent anemia, overcome infertility,
prevents cancer (prostate, breast and colon cancers),
prevents lungs and eye problems, prevent hair loss, pro-
mote normal growth, aids premature or low weight ba-
bies, helps in preventing decrease in the activities of
brain enzymes that are mitochondrial markers or ageing
by substantial levels.
But the synergism of vitamin E and vitamin C
on the performance indices of rabbits are yet to be sub-
stantiated. The objective of this work therefore is to es-
tablish the impart of vitamin E, C and their synergism,
as feed additive on the gonadal weights and perform-
ance parameters of rabbits.
2.0 Materials and Methods
2.1 Experimental location
The research work was carried out in Port Har-
court, a port city located in the south-south region
(Niger Delta) of Nigeria, a typical rainforest belt with a
warm and humid climate recording daily maximum tem-
perature range from 20-33oC. The study was undertaken
in teaching and research farm of Rivers State University
of Science and Technology, Nkpolu-Oroworokwo Port
Harcourt.
2.2 Animals, Husbandry and Experimental De-
sign
24 adult rabbits of equal ratio of bucks and
does of New Zealand were used in this study.
The rabbits were preconditioned for two weeks,
during these period, the rabbits were de-wormed with
ivomectin and oxytetracycline antibiotic against any
pathogens that could be acquired in the environment. At
the termination of the two weeks preconditioned period,
the rabbits were weighed using “HANA Weighing
Scale” to get their initial weight.
The were randomly allocated into four dietary
groups of A,B, C and D, with treatment group A as con-
trol (feeds free of additives), while dietary treatment
groups B,C and D were fed grower’s mash feed mixed
with the additive graded proportions of vitamin C, vita-
min E and their synergism . Daily feed intake records
were kept and clean water administered ad-libitum.
Randomized complete block design (RCBD)
were employed in this study with four treatment groups
of six rabbits per group, which was further replicated
into six with two rabbits of buck and doe per replicate.
The additive vitamin E is the product of
manson vitamin. Inc. Miami lakes, FL 33014, 1-888-860
-5376 www.manson-vitamin.com and vitamin C, the
products of now foods, blooming date, IL60108. made
in US, NAFDAC Reg. No. A7-0225).
The composition of the additive vitamins were
as follows,
Treatment A – 0.0 IU vitamin /kg feed
Treatment B – 500mg vitamin C/kg feed
Treatment C -3000IU Vitamin. E/kg feed
Treatment D – 1000 mg vitamin C and 600IU
vitamin E/kg feed.
The study lasted for 30days. One buck and one
doe from each group of rabbits were slaughtered and
gonads (the ovaries and testes) sampled for gonadal
weights.
3.0 Results
The results of the additive effects of vitamin C,
E and their synergism, on growth performance traits of
rabbits are presented in table 1.significant difference (P<
0.05) were observed in the mean final weight, mean
daily weight gain. Also the mean total feed intake, daily
feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were sig-
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 Ukpai et al / New Clues in Sciences 1 (2011) 97-101

nificantly (P<0.05) affected by the additive vitamins.
The mean final weight (kg) for the animals
were 4.15, 3.95, 3.83 and 4.70 ± 0.15 for treatment
groups A, B, C and D, respectively.
The treatment group D fed combined additives
of vitamin E and C recorded the highest mean final
weight of 4.70 ± 0.15 while group B fed vitamin C and
group C fed vitamin E had mean final weights (kg) that
Were statistically the same (3.95, 3.83 ± 0.15). Signifi-
cant effects (P< 0.05) were observed in the mean weight
gain (kg) with group C and D recording similar values
(1.13, 1. 20 ± 0.20) but higher than treatment group B
and control group (0.90, 0.85 ± 0.20) respective.
Results on percent final weight gain revealed
significant difference (P< 0 .05) between the treatment
groups with groups D and C having higher valves-
25.53, 29.50, than groups B and A that recorded the
least (22.78, 20.48)).
The mean daily weight gain were significantly
affected (P<0.05) by the treatment effect between the
treatment groups Treatment groups D and C recorded
similar values (42.90, 40.40 ± 0.35) than group B and A
that are significantly the lowest (32.14, 30.36 ± 0.35).
There were significant differences (P<0.05) in
mean total feed intake (kg) amongst the group with
group D recording superior value of 2.14 ± 0.18 sec-
onded by treated group B and C 1.83, 1.91 ± o.18 re-
spectively
Significant effect were (P< 0.05) observed in
the mean daily feed intake (kg). Treatment group D fed
combined vitamin E and C recorded the highest value of
76.43 ± 0.10 followed by group B and C which did not
differ statistically 65.40, 68.21 ± 0.01. The control
group A had the least value of 60.71 ± 0.01.
Result on feed conversion ratio (FCR) revealed
significant differences (P<0.05) amongst the treated
animals. Treatment group D and C had significantly
higher feed conversion ratio (1.78, 1.70 ± 0.15) than,
group B and A that recorded the least values.

Table 1; Performance evaluation of adults rabbits administered with additive vitamin C, E and their synergism

Production parameters Treatments LSD

A B C D
Mean initial weight (kg) 3.30 3.05 3.00 3.50 0.18
b b b a
Mean final weight (kg) 4.15 3.95 3.83 4.70 0.15
Mean weight gain (kg) 0.85 b 0.90 b 1.13 a 1.20 a 0
b b a a
% final weight gain 20.48 22.78 29.50 25.53
Mean daily weight gain 30.36 b 32.14 b 40.40 a 42.90 a 0.35
c b b a
Mean total feed intake 1.70 1.83 1.91 2.14 0.18
Mean daily feed intake 60.71 65.40 68.21 76.43 0.10
b b a a
Feed conversion ratio 2.00 2.03 1.70 1.78 0.15

Mean ± SD in the same row with different superscript differs significantly (P<0.05)

Table 2; Influence of additive vitamin C, E and their synergism on the gonadal weight of buck and doe rabbits

Gonadal Weight A B C D L
S
D
Testes (g) 3.94 b 4.20 b 3.08 11.5 b 0.12

Ovary 0.71 c 0.95 b 1.21 ab 2.81 a 0.15

Mean ± SD in the same row with different superscript differs significantly (P<0.05)

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 Ukpai et al / New Clues in Sciences 1 (2011) 97-101
4.0 Discussion
Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin that acts as
an antioxidants against free radical in both human and
animal performance. Its ability to improve and maintain
normal health has long been established [7]. It is usually
supplied in the fat rich feed since the body cannot pro-
duce it. On the other hand, vitamin C is a water soluble
Vitamin that is optically active with strong reducing
properties which is fundamental to its biological values.
Function as a co-substrate in the hydroxylation of pra-
line in collagen, gum formation and connective tissues.
Their supplementations as feed additive in this
study produced tremendieous beneficial influence on the
performance parameters and gonadal weight of the test
rabbits.
The results from this study proved that Vitamin
C, Vitamin E, and their synergism (Vitamin C and E
mixture) had better response on performance parameters
than the control group (Table 1 above). This supports
[8] who reported that Vitamin C addition from 200-
600mg in diets improves growth, feed efficiency, weight
gain and livability in heat stress and production. Bain
[1] also reported Vitamin C to aids conversion of protein
and fat into energy for production and survivability
through increased corticosteroid secretions and this
study, Vitamin C had better influence on weight gain,
feed intake and feed conversion than the control group
(no additive vitamins). Also the gonadal weights of the
Vitamin C treated group were better than the control
group. Suggesting that vitamin had some level of influ-
ence on the gonads of the test group. [4] had earlier re-
ported Vitamin C catcher was associated with semen
quality in human and [12], reported similar thing on
rabbits. [5], affirmed that vitamin C aids ovulation and
increase reproductive efficiency
Similarly, Vitamin E treated group, responded
better than group A and even B (Vitamin C group) sug-
gesting that Vitamin E affect production efficiency in
animals even in the gonads of both male and female
animals. This corroborates [3] who observed that Vita-
min E, promotes growth, aids premature or low weight
babies, prevent anaemia, hinders muscular dystrophy
and growth tumors, prevents atherosclerosis and pro-
motes normal growth and developments.
Also the increased positive response on the
gonald and the performance parameters, suggest the
synergistic action of Vitamin C and E combinations. [6]
had earlier reported that Vitamin C and plays an effec-
tive protective role on the organs through direct or indi-
rect mechanism. Both vitamins are regarded as good
antioxidants; reducing the peroxide influence. [12] re-
ported that vitamin C is associated with semen quality.
This is the direct production of the male gonald (testes).
[2] also observed vitamin E to enhance sexual perform-
ance, overcomes infertility in both male and female,
prevents prostrate cancer. It is likely that Vitamin C and
E supplementation in this study were responsible for the
improved gonadal weight and production performance
probed in this study and this may be from their oxidative
activities.
5.0 Conclusion
Vitamin C and E supplementation has long
been established to improve animal and human perform-
ances both in production and reproduction parameters
[ 3; 12; 4]. This influence was attributed to their antioxi-
dant role through direct and indirect mechanisms. In this
study, Vitamin A and E and its combine influence on
production and gonadal weight, produced tremendous
positive response and therefore should be encouraged to
be supplemented in rabbit ration for improved perform-
ance in rabbit production.
6.0 References
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