# Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) pupae meal supplementation: Effect on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and economic efficiency in rabbits

## TL;DR

Adding silkworm pupae meal to rabbit feed improves growth and meat fat content without harming health.

## Contribution

This study shows that up to 1% silkworm pupae meal can be safely added to rabbit diets for better growth and meat quality.

## Key findings

- Rabbits fed silkworm pupae had improved body weight and feed conversion.
- Meat from SP-fed rabbits had higher fat content.
- Blood parameters and kidney function remained normal with SP supplementation.

## Abstract

This study investigated how consuming silkworm pupae (SP) meal affected rabbits that were still growing. Forty-five weaned male New Zealand White rabbits, averaging 680 g, were allocated randomly to three groups: a control group (SP0) and two groups that had SP 0.5% (SP0.5) and 1% (SP1). The SP exhibited a significant enhancement in body weight, average daily increase, and feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05). The amount of feed each group consumed stayed the same. The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude fiber, and nitrogen-free extract did not change, but the digestibility of crude protein and ether extract, and the amount of nitrogen retained were all much greater (P < 0.05) in rabbits fed SP. There were no significant differences between carcass weight, slaughter body weight, and dressing %. The amount of protein, moisture, and ash in the meat was the same, but the amount of fat was greater (P < 0.05) in the SP groups. The pH of the cecum, the levels of ammonia nitrogen, acetate, butyrate, and the acetate-to-propionate ratio stayed the same, but the total volatile fatty acids went up a lot (P < 0.05) in rabbits that ate SP. The SP also caused levels of total plasma protein, albumin, and globulin to rise by a lot. The kidneys (urea and creatinine) worked just fine. It was concluded that adding up to 1% dried silkworm pupae to rabbit meals does not hurt their growth or blood parameters.