الفهرس 
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Abstract
This investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of some phytogenic natural compounds (ginger and/or thyme) aqueous extracts as natural antioxidants and their effects on the productive and reproductive performance of growing V-line male rabbits. A total of 24 rabbits, three months old, 1.465±0.12 kg average body weight (BW) were used in a complete randomized design. In this study, rabbits were weighed individually and assigned randomly to four equal groups of 6 animals ∕ each. The first group (G1) received fresh water and served as control, rabbits of the second group (G2) were taken 100 mg ginger extract / kg BW in drinking water daily. The third group (G3) was taken 50 mg/kg BW in drinking water of the thyme aqueous extract daily, and the fourth group (G4) was taken 100 mg/kg BW of the ginger aqueous extract plus 50 mg/kg BW of the thyme aqueous extract in drinking water daily.
The results showed that oral administration of ginger and/or thyme aqueous extracts improved (P < 0.001) growth performance and feed conversion ratio compared to control. The results indicated that treated groups reached faster to puberty with greater body weight, larger testicular size and higher testosterone level than control. Also, most semen characteristics were higher in treated groups compared with the control group. The incorporation of ginger and thyme aqueous extract improved (P < 0.001) carcass characteristics and caecum activity without any side effects on internal organs. The oral administration of ginger and/or thyme aqueous extracts to growing rabbits increased (P < 0.001) serum protein profile compared with control group. Moreover, results of group 2 showed significant (P < 0.001) decrease in glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared with group 3 and 4. Also, treated groups showed no adverse effects on liver, kidney function, testes parameters, and histological structures and ameliorated antioxidant status compared with the control group. In conclusion, aqueous extracts of ginger and/or thyme can be used as a growth promoter and enhancing physiological responses as a result of the positive effect on blood metabolites and improvement productive and reproductive performance of rabbits.
Keywords: Rabbit, ginger, thyme, reproductive, biochemical, antioxidant.