Abstract
The present study aimed to examine the impact of magic oil (R) (a nano-emulsified vegetable oil) (NEVO) on growth and carcass traits, serum metabolites, and intestinal microbiota of New Zealand White (NZW) and V-line rabbits. A total of 450 rabbits of both breeds (male, five weeks old) with a 700 +/- 19 g average live body weight was uniformly distributed into six groups (75 rabbits per each). Each group was subdivided into five replicates, each of 15 rabbits. Animals randomly allocated into a two x three completely factorial design (two breeds: NZW and V-line, and three treatments of NEVO: control (0.0), 0.5, and 1.0 ml of NEVO per liter of water, respectively). The findings of the present study revealed that V-line rabbits recorded a significant increase in the final body weight, final body weight gain, and total feed conversion ratio, along with carcass traits when compared to New Zealand White (NZW). Comapred with the control group, the final body weight, final body weight gain, and carcass traits of rabbits, orally supplemented with NEVO were significantly improved. At the same time, feed intake was not significantly improved. The effect of the NEVO supplement and its association with the breed (p < 0.001) have improved significantly the final body weight, final body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and carcass characteristics. A significant improvement in serum and tissue metabolites was observed with increasing NEVO levels. A remarkable increase in the serum total protein and globulin associated with a significant reduction (p < 0.001) in the serum total lipids and total cholesterol levels were also noticed with increasing NEVO levels. Total bacterial count, and the population of Escherichia coli and lactobacilli in the jejunum and colon were significantly (p < 0.001) lower in both rabbit breeds supplemented with NEVO than that of the control group. Based on these findings, supplementation of NEVO enhanced growth, antioxidant status and minimized pathogenic bacteria in rabbits.