EFFECT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACTS OF GALEGA OFFICINALIS AND ASPARAGUS RACEMOSUS SUPPLEMENTATION ON DEVELOPMENT OF MAMMARY GLAND, MILK YIELD AND ITS IMPACT ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF RABBIT DOES

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of aqueous extracts of Galega officinalis and Asparagus racemosus on mammary gland development, milk yield and its impact on the productivity of rabbit does. A total number of sixty female V-Line breed rabbits initially aged 10 weeks old, and extended throughout three sequence parities were used in this study. The animals were randomly distributed into five experimental groups (12 does each) .The 1^st group was served as control without any supplementations in drinking water, the 2^nd and 3^rd groups were supplemented with aqueous extracts from aerial parts of Galega officinalis (G.  officianalis) of 150 and 300 mg crude extract /kg body weight (BW) respectively. Whereas, the 4^th and 5^th groups were supplemented with aqueous extract of Asparagus racemosus (A. racemosus) roots of 100 and 200 mg /kg BW respectively of rabbit does. Addition of A. racemosus and G. officinalis led to a significant increase in values of ovarian hormones and surface area of the mammary alveoli compared to control group. Supplementing the rabbit does with both concentrations of G. officinalis in drinking water during rearing period and continuously for full duration of gestation period and first the 21 days of lactation significantly accelerated pubertal mammary gland development, increase milk yield and enhancing productivity of rabbit does compared to control group throughout three sequence parities. The same trend of significant increase was observed with both concentrations of supplementation with A. racemosus during rearing and lactation only. Whereas, supplementing with high level of A. racemosus (200mg/kg BW) during pregnant period significantly increased stillborn at birth .Also, the rabbit does which treated with A. racemosus for throughout the gestation period exhibited higher fetuses resorption rate at slaughter and aberrant embryo spacing within the uterine horns, and therefore smaller litter size of pups in the post-natal studies, with delayed development and increased mortality. In conclusion, water supplementations with aqueous extract from both concentrations of G. officinalis in the drinking water for rabbit does could be recommended to improve pubertal mammary gland development, increase milk yield and enhance  productivity of rabbit does. In addition, supplementation with A. racemosus should be avoided in pregnant rabbit does.