Abstract

Aim: The study was aimed to evaluate the effects Piper nigrum and Piper guineense as a feed additive on the reproductive and pre-weaning growth performance of cavies.

Method and materials:  Four groups of 15 females and 3 males each, for a total of 72 cavies weighing 450±50 g were used. Post-partum growth performance was recorded in females and pre-weaning growth in pups from parturition to weaning. The control ration assigned to animals in group 1 (T0) did not contain pepper. Animals in groups 2 (T1); 3 (T2) and 4 (T3) received 0.5% Piper nigrum powder; 0.5% Piper guineense meal and 0.25% Piper nigrum meal + 0.25%Piper guineense meal, respectively. In addition, Trypsacum laxum grass associated with each ration was weighed before being served.

Results: Findings revealed that the control (T0) allowed the females to obtain the best fecundity (172.73%) and fertility (84.61%) rates. In addition, the dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and crude fibre (CF) intake was comparable between animals receiving T0 and T2 rations on the one hand, and between animals receiving T1 and T3 rations on the other hand. In addition, the females receiving the T0 ration had the lowest average weights throughout lactation, while the average weights of lactating females on the T1, T2 and T3 rations remained comparable and higher.

Conclusion: The use of black pepper meal in the ration can be considered at a rate of 0% for good feed intake and better reproductive performance and up to 0.5% for better growth (postpartum and preweaning of the young cavy).

Statistics