Table 5.
Growth performance of weaned V-line rabbits administered lettuce juice fertilized with nitrate vs WPH as compared to that of nonfertilized lettuce or lettuce-free diet.
| Growth Parameters | Lettuce Juice Supplementation | p-Value | Sig. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | II | III | IV | |||
| BW4 (g) | 455.0 ± 2.9 | 456.7 ± 4.4 | 455.0 ± 2.9 | 458.3 ± 4.4 | 0.9183 | NS |
| BW8 (g) | 843.3 ± 8.8 b | 982.7 ± 8.2 a | 983.3 ± 8.8 a | 1046 ± 32.1 a | 0.0017 | ** |
| BW12 (g) | 1253 ± 8.8 b | 1599 ± 74.6 a | 1543 ± 66.9 a | 1635 ± 41.9 a | 0.0046 | ** |
| ADG4–8 (g/d) | 18.87 ± 0.4 a | 18.79 ± 0.4 a | 13.87 ± 0.3 b | 21.00 ± 1.3 a | 0.0035 | ** |
| ADG8–12 (g/d) | 20.00 ± 2.1 a | 22.01 ± 2.6 a | 14.64 ± 0.4 b | 21.02 ± 0.4 a | 0.0461 | * |
| ADG4–12 (g/d) | 19.43 ± 1.2 a | 20.40 ± 1.3 a | 14.26 ± 0.1 b | 21.01 ± 0.8 a | 0.0043 | ** |
Data are expressed as the mean ± SE. Different superscript letters (a and b) in the same row refer to significant differences. NS: non-significant. * (p < 0.05, significant). ** (p < 0.005, highly significant). All rat groups received standard basal diet without (group I) or with (groups II-IV) 10 mL lettuce juice supplement. Lettuce juice (10 mL) was prepared from lettuce cultivated without (group II) or with nitrate fertilization (group III), or WPH (group IV) equivalent to 2.5. 11.16 and 3.86 mg/Kg bw/day, respectively. BW4, BW8, and BW12 is body weight (g) after 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively; DG4–8: average daily gain from 4–8 weeks; ADG8–12: average daily gain from 8–12 weeks; ADG4–12: average daily gain from 4–12 weeks.