Effects of dietary substitution of Soybean meal by dried Azolla on blood and serum parameters, productive and reproductive traits, and economic efficiency of rabbit does as well as semen quality of bucks

An experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary substitution of dried Azolla (Azolla pinnata) in different ratios by soybean meal on productive and reproductive performances, hematological and serum traits, and economic efficiency of rabbit does as well as semen quality of males. Forty mature does and eight males of Black Balady rabbits aged seven and eight months were assigned to 1 of 4 dietary groups: 0 (control), 20, 30, and 40% of soybean protein substituted with dried Azolla protein. Data were analyzed using repeated measures of statistical software computer program package. There were no significant differences among groups in number of services per conception as well as parturition intervals (days) with a superiority of 30% group over the control and other two groups. Average litter weight was significantly (P<0.05) superior in the 30% replacement group. There were no significant differences in live body weight either at birth or at weaning among the four tested groups and the 30% replacement groups recorded the highest significant daily weight gain of bunnies during the whole experimental period. All Azolla groups recorded better results in the studied traits of bucks' semen compared to the control. Azolla diets did not show any adverse effects on the studied blood parameters. The 30% replacement of the soybean protein group showed the best economic return compared to the other two replacement groups and the control. In conclusion, Azolla can safely and economically replace soybean protein at the rate of 30% in adult female rabbits' diets. Keywords: Azolla, Body weight, Rabbit, Reproduction, Semen.