The effect of adding filamentous green algae Cladophora to the diet of rabbits on their blood parameters

Crimea is an iodine-deficient region, so feeding rabbits with iodine-enriched feed is a necessary condition for ensuring their normal functioning and productivity on farms. The use of algae from saline water bodies high in iodine and other valuable components can help solve this problem. The filamentous green alga Cladophora was collected from a Crimean hypersaline lake, and then granules were obtained from it. They were used in experiments on young rabbits. In 2024 there was studied the effect of Cladophora supplements in the diet of young rabbits of the Californian breed, from the age after weaning until reaching a slaughter weight of 2.5–2.8 kg. Three experimental and one control group of rabbits were formed (10 animals each). In the experimental groups, 1 %, 0.5 or 0.25 % of Cladophora were added to the diet of rabbits. The supplements have led to significant changes in the biochemical composition of blood serum: the concentration of urease and alpha-amylase increased by 36.7 and 50.4 % (p = 0.01), respectively. The increase in alpha-amylase was significantly directly proportional to the amount of supplementation (p = 0.001). The content of total protein and albumin increased significantly (p = 0.001–0.01). Within normal limits, the content of erythrocytes and leukocytes increased significantly (p = 0.05). Thrombocrit also increased significantly (p = from 0.05 to 0.001). The data obtained showed that when Cladophora was added to the diet of rabbits, all characteristics of its blood did not go beyond the known normal limits, while positive changes occurred in a number of them. There is an intensification of metabolic processes and kidney enzymes. The results obtained as well as published data have shown that adding Cladophora to the diet of rabbits can be an effective feed additive that improves their physiological condition and enhances immunity.