The effect of green tea addition to diet on weight gains of rabbit females

Abstract

The aim of present study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of green tea plant (Camellia sinensis) addition to the diet on the weight gains of rabbits. Rabbit females (n = 31) of New Zealand White breed were used in the experiment. Rabbit does in the control group (C; n = 12) were fed with a commercially available feed. In the experimental groups, 5 g (E1; n = 9) and 20 g (E2; n = 10) of green tea dried powder were added to 100 kg of commercially available feed. The lower weight gains per week (g) were observed in both experimental groups (E1; 229.7 ± 21.95 and E2; 223.09 ± 24.00 g, respectively) when compared to control (C; 242.58 ± 19.76 g). Total average weight gain was the highest in control (C; 2668.3 ± 97.61 g) when compared to the both experimental groups (E1, 2526.67 ± 79.64 g; E2, 2454.0 ± 118.09 g). In conclusion, addition of green tea powder to the commercial diet for rabbit does had negative effect on the weight gains (g) per week and on the total average weight gains (g) during the fattening period.