Twenty seven weaning New Zealand White (NZW)rabbits of seven
weeks old of about 813 g live bodyweight was randomlydistributed into nine
groups (three rabbits in each). The experimental groups were fed randomly
on one of the nine formulated experimental rations used. The 1st ration (R1)
was used as a control, which contained: 10 % yellow corn+10 % barley+
13.7 % soybean meal (SBM) + 20 % wheat bran + 40 % clover hay+ 3%
molasses+1.0 % calcium diphosphate +1.2 % limestone + 0.5 % sodium
chloride+0.4% minerals-vitamins mixture+0.2 % methionine. The
substituting (equal parts) frombarley and SBMby10%and 20%distiller's
dried grains with soluble (DDGS) for ration 2 (R2) and ration 3 (R3),
respectively. The supplemented seaweed (SW) for these rations was at tow
levels subtracted fromthe wheat bran. The first level was 0.5%seaweed for
rations R4, R5 and R6. The second level was 1.0 %seaweed for rations R7,
R8 and R9. All rations were nearly isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Blood
plasma samples were collected fromall rabbits after overnight fasting at 7,
9, 11 and 13 weeks to determine glucose, thyroxin (T4) and triiodothyronine
(T3). A representative part (5 cm) from the small intestine was dissected
immediately after slaughtering the three rabbits in each group to determine
glucose absorption rates.
The results ofthe present study revealed that there was no significant
effect with feeding on DDGSwith or without SWon glucose absorption. The
mean values for glucose absorption were ranged from0.39 to 0.44 (mg/hr),
with feeding on the experimental rations.
Rabbit's group fed on 10 % DDGS with 1.0 % SWrecorded the highest
significant value of blood glucose (132 mg / 100 ml) followed by R4 (fed on
0.0 % DDGS with 0.5 % SW, where the lowest value (109.42 mg / 100 ml)
was detected for R2 (fed on 10 % DDGS without SW).
There was no significant effect on T4 concentrations with feeding on
the experimental rations. The mean values were ranged from13.70 to 17.92
ng/ml. The highest values were observed with feeding on R8 followed byR9,
while the lowest value was observed with feeding on R1. The same trend was
observed in T3 concentrations. The mean values were ranged from 3.5 to
4.46 ng/ml. In generally, the T4: T3 ratio was about 4: 1 with feeding the
experimental rations.