A total of 60 female Bouscat rabbits at 10-12 months of age with an
average body weight 3.48±0.11 kg were divided into three homogeneous groups
(n=20). The 1st group was fed on a formulated pelleted diet as a control. The 2nd
and 3rd groups were fed on the same diet replaced with 30 and 40% of diet
naturally contaminated with 450 ppb aflatoxins (B1+G1, AF-diet), respectively.
Each group was divided into two equal sub groups. The 1st and 2nd sub groups were
fed on diet supplemented with 4 g of either tafla or bentonite clay/kg diet,
respectively. Doe in each group was naturally mated with proven fertile buck
after two weeks from start of treatments and continued for three consecutive
parities.
Progesterone concentration at mid gestation period, litter size and litter
weight at birth and at weaning, total milk yield from birth to 21 days of lactation
and litter weight gain were reduced (PAF-diet intake and feeding duration time (from 1st till 3rd parities), while number
of services per conception, abortion percentage and pre-weaning mortality rate
tented to increase significantly. At 21st day of pregnancy through 3rd parity,
body weight, ovaries weight, total embryos recovered, and maternal placenta
weight decreased (PMoreover, lost embryos through pre-implantation and abnormal embryos
percentages tended to increase significantly. Inclusion bentonite clay to the AFdiet
reduced the harmful effect of aflatoxicosis and improved markedly
reproductive performance, litter traits, milk production and embryo quality
compared to tafla supplementation, especially with increasing feeding duration.
Genitalia organs were adversely affected by aflatoxins consumed, especially
with elevating AF-diet. Does fed 30% AF-diet+bentonite showing normal
genitalia appearance than that fed the same diet+tafla. Liver and kidneys of doe
rabbits fed 40% AF-diet+tafla showed more deterioration than that fed 30%
AF-diet+tafla or 30 and 40% AF-diet+bentonite. Generally, inclusion 4 g
bentonite clay/kg diet protect mature doe rabbits fed diet contaminated with 135
ppb aflatoxins+ without retardation in the reproductive performance.