EFFECTS OF SOURSOP (Annona muricata) LEAF MEAL ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND SEMEN CHARACTERISTICS OF RABBIT BUCKS
Keywords:
phytobiotics, reproductive traits, feed efficiency, growth promoters, motility, nutrient utilization, rabbit nutritionAbstract
The increasing search for natural feed additives with growth-promoting and reproductive-enhancing potentials in livestock production has necessitated the evaluation of soursop (Annona muricata) leaves, known for their rich phytochemicals and medicinal properties, as a dietary supplement for rabbit bucks. This study investigated the effects of soursop (Annona muricata) leaf meal on growth performance and semen characteristics of adult rabbit bucks. Sixty mixed-bred rabbit bucks of 20 weeks, with an average weight of 7.1–2.0 kg were acclimatized for two weeks and randomly assigned into five dietary treatments containing 0, 100, 200, 300, or 400 g/kg of soursop leaf meal for 8 weeks. Each treatment consisted of 4 rabbits, replicated 3 times. Growth performance and semen characteristics were evaluated, and data were analysed using one-way ANOVA, with means separated by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (p < 0.05). The proximate analysis of A. muricata leaves revealed 9% moisture, 11% crude protein, 4% crude fat, 18% crude fibre, 10% ash, and 48% carbohydrate. Rabbits fed the 200 g/kg diet showed superior growth performance with the highest final weight, weight gain, feed intake, and best feed conversion ratio (FCR = 7.16). Rabbits fed 400 g/kg diet exhibited superior semen quality, with the highest semen volume (0.33 ml), sperm count (544.44 × 10⁶ ejaculate¹), active motility (82.22%), viability (86.67%), and normal morphology (86.67%), with reduced sluggish motility (7.22%), abnormal morphology (13.33%), and dead sperm cells (10.56%). Soursop leaf meal is nutritionally valuable, improves growth and feed conversion in rabbit bucks at 200 g/kg inclusion, while semen quality is improved most at a higher inclusion level of 400 g/kg.
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