USING ANISE LEAVES (PIMPINELLA ANISUM L.) FOR IMPROVING OF PERFORMANCE NEW ZEALAND RABBITS.

Thirty-six of unsexed New Zealand rabbits (5-6 weeks old and average weight 654.64± 2.75 g were randomly distributed into 4 groups (9 each, in 3 replicates. Experimental rabbits were fed on a basal diet containing anise leaves (Pimpinella anisum L.) by levels 0, 2, 4 and 6% to the experimental animal groups. All the experimental diets were formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of rabbits according to NRC (1977). The feeding trail extending to 56 days. The diets containing different levels of anise leaves (D2, D3 and D4%)  were the highest (P<0.05) significantly of DM, OM and CP% digestibility, the highest values digestibility was recorded with diet (D4) by 19.29, 25.42 and 19.81%, followed by diet (D3) by11.50, 7.79 and14.07 %, finally diet (D2) by 10.35, 4.11 and 15.16% compared with control diet (D1) which values 64.90, 64.74 and 67.14%, respectively.  Whereas, EE did not differ significantly among the experimental diets. Otherwise, anise leave 2% in diet D2 decreased (P<0.05) CF digestibility by 6.51%, but the diet (D3) was significant increased by 82.70%, the highest values were recorded with D4 by 214.32%. Digestibility of NDF, ADF, hemicellulose, cellulose and NDF-cell soluble% tend to be higher in diet D4, followed by D3 compared to the control. Nutritive values TDN, DCP and DE were significant increased with diet D4 by 16.42%, 25.88% and 21.64(kcal/ kg DM), followed by D2 by14.04%, 15.35% and 10.62(kcal/ kg DM), while the lowest nutritive values recorded with diet D3 by 20.19% ,16.42% and 13.21(kcal/ kg DM), respectively. Blood plasma constituents of the dietary rations as not significantly affected by anise leaves. Plasma total protein, albumin, globulin, lipids (total cholesterol, LDL-Cholesterol, HDL-Cholesterol, Triglycerides), kidney function (urea, creatinine) and liver function alkaline phosphatase, AST and ALT).The inclusion of anise leaves in rabbits’ diets significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the body weight and the body weight gain as compared to the control diet. Rabbits fed diet containing (6%) D4 anise leaves showed significantly (P<0.05) enhancing in the final body weight, average daily gain and total feed intake and the best decrease of FCR and economic efficiency compared to control D1. No significant differences were observed in total giblet, lung and kidney among the experimental groups. The testes percent showed significant increase due to feeding diet containing anise leaves which may be due to anise phytoestrogens effect. Costing of one kg feed, (LE) was decreased by inclusion anise leaves in test diet compared to control diet. Conclusion: In conclusion, it can used anise leaves (Pimpinella anisum L.) in rabbit diets up to 6% to improve nutritive and feeding values, growth parameters as well as realized the highest value of feed efficiency and relative economic efficiency.