Seventy two weaning V-line male rabbits with an average live body weight of 630±12.23 g weaned at 33 days of age were used and randomly distributed into two equal groups according to the type of water (tap water “TW" and water exposed to magnetic field ≈4000 gauss “MW"), rabbits in each group were assigned into three sub groups which received 0, 75 and 100 mg zinc/ liter of drinking water (as zinc sulphate) in factorial design (2 type of water x 3 zinc level).
Results showed that:
1) Weaning rabbits exposed to MW had significant higher body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), best feed conversion ratio (FCR) and the lowest feed intake (FI), those data were recorded for the groups consumed MW, regardless the effect of zinc (Zn) level.
2) Supplementation with 100 mg zinc/ liter resulted in the heaviest final BW, while BWG was statistically equal among the groups supplied with both level of zinc. The significant lowest FI and best FCR were recorded for the growing male rabbits supplied with water containing 100 mg Zn/ liter (Z1), regardless of the effect of water type.
3) Rabbits consumed MW and Zn recorded a significant increase in red blood cells counts (RBCs), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed cells volume (PCV) and white blood cells counts (WBCs).
4) Consumption of MW supplied with both levels of Zn (0.75 and 100 mg/l) recorded significantly the highest lymphocyte and monocyte percentages. While, neutrophil, eosinophils and basophils percentages were decreased significantly for the groups which consumed TW without zinc.
5) Magnetic water and increasing zinc levels display a significant increase in plasma total protein and globulin concentrations. However, plasma albumin concentration was not significantly affected by the consumed water type.
6) Plasma total lipid and cholesterol concentrations decreased significantly for the groups which consumed MW; unsupplied or supplied with both levels of zinc.
7) Plasma creatinine concentration, AST and ALT activity decreased significantly for the groups which consumed MW; unsupplied or supplied with both levels of zinc.
8) The consumption of MW; unsupplied or supplied with both levels of zinc, significantly exhibited a higher immune status: IgG, IgM and IgA.
Conclusively, it could be concluded that the performance, hematological traits, biochemical blood, and immune response for weaning male rabbits improved due to the consumption of the magnetized water supplied with a low level of zinc (75 mg/liter).