A note on the effect of triacylglycerols of caprylic and capric fatty acid on performance, mortality, and digestibility of nutrients in young rabbits

Two experiments, an apparent digestibility trial and a feeding experiment, were carried out to evaluate the effect of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) supplied as triacylglycerols (TAG) to a diet of growing rabbits. Hyplus rabbits weaned at the age of 35 days were used. In the digestibility trial 20 rabbits were housed individually, in the feeding experiment 216 rabbits were housed four per cage. Rabbits of experimental groups received a diet supplemented with 10 g kg−1 of Akomed R (TAG of caprylic and capric acid). Coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of dry matter, N-free extract and ash was higher by 3.4, 3.8 and 9.9%, respectively, in rabbits fed the diet with Akomed R than in control rabbits (P<0.05). Digestibility of other dietary components, the rate of growth, feed intake and carcass yield were not significantly affected. In the feeding experiment, mortality of treated rabbits (15.7%) was significantly lower than that of control rabbits (27.8%; P=0.048). No effect on growth rate and shedding of Eimeria sp. oocysts was observed. It can be concluded that MCFA supplied as TAG of caprylic and capric acid in a commercially available oil significantly decreased high mortality of growing rabbits under practical field conditions, without affecting the rate of growth, feed intake and carcass yield.