Abstract: This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of HMBi on slaughter performance,intestinal mucosal morphology and intestinal enzyme activity of Fujian Yellow rabbits.100 weaning rabbits (half male and half female) with similar weight were randomly allotted to 4 groups with 5 replicates per group and 5 rabbits per replicate.The control group was fed a basal diet,groups Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ were fed the basal diets supplemented with 0.20%,0.40% and 0.60% HMBi,respectively.The pre-test period lasted for 10 days and the trial period lasted for 52 days.The results showed as follows:① Compared with control group,the slaughter weight and dressing percentage in group Ⅱ were significantly and extremely significantly increased (P<0.05;P<0.01),respectively,the carcass weight in groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ were significantly increased (P<0.05).② Compared with control group,the villous height of duodenum and jejunum in group Ⅱ were extremely significantly increased (P<0.01),the villous height of jejunum and ileum in group Ⅲ were extremely significantly increased (P<0.01);The crypt depth of duodenum and jejunum in groups Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ were significantly or extremely significantly decreased (P<0.05;P<0.01),the crypt depth of ileum in groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ were significantly increased (P<0.05);The V/C of duodenum and ileum in groups Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ were significantly or extremely significantly increased (P<0.05;P<0.01),the V/C of jejunum in group Ⅲ was extremely significantly increased (P<0.01).③ Compared with control group,the amylase activity in groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ were significantly increased (P<0.05).In conclusion,HMBi could enhance dressing percentage,improve intestinal mucosal morphology and increase intestinal enzyme activity of Fujian Yellow rabbits.Under this experiment conditions,the appropriate HMBi level in the diet of Fujian Yellow rabbits was 0.40%.

Key words: Fujian Yellow rabbits; HMBi; slaughter performance; intestinal mucosal morphology; intestinal enzyme