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The present study evaluates the effects of natural extracts on reproductive performance, haematochemical parameters, and antioxidant status of rabbit does. A total of sixty New Zealand White second parity does were divided into three groups: the first group was fed a control diet (CON), the second (T1) and the third groups (T2) were fed the same diet supplemented with prebiotic polysaccharides from brown seaweeds (Laminaria spp.) plus phenolic acid, hydroxycinnamic acids, tannins, and flavonoids from plant extracts (0.3% and 0.6%, respectively). The trial was conducted for two consecutive reproductive cycles (75 days). Reproductive performance was recorded. Blood samples were collected before the first insemination, 10 d after the first kindling, and 10 d after the second one. At the first reproductive cycle, productive parameters were negatively affected (P0.05) between dietary treatments on reproductive and productive performances were observed. Bilirubin was affected by dietary treatment (P

The effect of dietary supplementation with a biotechnological extract of Ajuga reptans on growth performance, oxidative status and immune parameters was evaluated in post weaning piglets. At weaning, 120 piglets with an average live weight of 8.1±1.3 kg, were assigned to one of three experimental groups. The first group was fed a control diet (C). The second and third groups were fed the same diet supplemented with 5 mg (T1) and 10 mg (T2) of teupolioside/kg feed from a biotechnological plant extract. Growth performances were recorded and blood samples were collected at the beginning, at 14 days, and at the end of the trial (56 days). Serum biochemical parameters, oxidative status and immunoglobulin titres were determined. Average daily gain tended to be higher (P=0.057) and live weight was higher in piglets (PAjuga reptans containing teupolioside has an antioxidant and immunomodulant effect.

The decrease of the use of antibiotic has promoted the scientific research towards the identification and study of natural substances able to improve animal performance and welfare (Hashemi et al., 2011; Daglia, 2012; Maghin et al., 2014). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mixture of algae plus polyphenols (Algatan Mater®) on piglet and sow performance when used as dietary supplements to the sows. Eighty-four sows (42 per batch) were divided in two groups fed a control and Algatan Mater® supplemented diet. Feed intake, backfat thickness and blood samples at entry in farrowing room and at 21 days of lactation, and sows’ reproductive data until the next service were collected. Haematochemical parameters and antioxidant status of sows were analysed. Weight at birth, after cross-fostering and at 21 days of lactation were recorded to each litter. Backfat loss tended to be lower (P=0.07) in sows treated than control. The administration of algae plus polyphenols in sows improved (P, International Journal of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, Vol 3, No 1s (2016)