Effect of potassium nitrate plus vitamin C in feed of rabbits on the some biochemical parameters

Abstract

     This study is conducted at investigating the effect of potassium nitrate and vitamin C in feed of the rabbits on the some biochemical parameters. Twenty eight adult New-Zealand rabbits were divided randomly into four groups (7 rabbits each), they were fed potassium nitrate and vitamin C for 16 weeks as follow: Group 1 (G₁) fed potassium nitrate (168 mg/ kg B.W./ daily), group 2 (G₂) fed potassium nitrate (168 mg/ kg B.W./ daily) and vitamin C (50 mg/ kg B.W./ daily), group 3 (G₃) fed potassium nitrate (168 mg/ kg B.W./ daily)  and vitamin C (100 mg/ kg B.W./ daily) and group 4 (G₄) fed basal ration as control group. Blood were collected from heart at zero, eight, twelve and sixteen weeks. The results showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in cholesterol, triglyceride and blood nitrogen urea in the group that had fed potassium nitrate G₁ compared with G₄, whereas the groups that were fed vitamin C with potassium nitrate showed a mild decrease compared with group potassium nitrate that had been fed potassium nitrate alone (G₁). In conclusion, the feeding rabbits with potassium nitrate caused an increase in cholesterol, triglyceride and blood urea concentration in the serum, whereas the vitamin C ameliorates this effect.