Impact of Dietary Supplementation with Garlic (Allium sativum) and Neem (Azadirachta indica) Leaf Meal on the Duodenal Histomorphology of Rabbit Bucks

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of garlic and neem leaf supplementation on the histomorphology of the intestinal structure of rabbits over a 48-day feeding trial. Twenty-four mature rabbit bucks with an average weight of 3.2 kg from three breeds (New Zealand White, White Chinchilla, and Dutch) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, each with six rabbits in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Four diets were formulated to meet the nutritional needs of rabbits, with supplementation at 0% (control, CON), 5% garlic (G5), 5% neem leaf (N5), and a combination of 2.5% garlic and 2.5% neem leaf (GN2.5). At the end of the feeding trial, sections of the duodenum were collected, processed, and examined histologically to evaluate villus height, crypt depth, villus-to-crypt ratio, and mucosal thickness, Histological analysis revealed variations in villus height and crypt depth across dietary treatments, with rabbits in the combined garlic and neem leaf group GN2.5 (p  < 0.05) showing improved villus surface area and villus-to-crypt length ratio compared to other groups. The G5 and GN2.5 groups also exhibited enhanced mucosal thickness, indicating potential benefits for nutrient absorption and gut health. No significant lesions or adverse histological changes were observed in any treatment group, suggesting the safety of garlic and neem leaf as dietary supplements in rabbits. It was concluded that both garlic and neem leaf can be beneficial as natural additives for improving gut morphology in rabbits but cannot be used in high percentages.