97 Ukpai et al / New Clues in Sciences 1 (2011) 97-101 Performance Evaluations and Gonadal Weights of Rabbits Exposed to Vitamin C, Vitamin E in the Humid Tropics Southern Nigeria Performance and gonadal responses of rabbits exposed to vitamin C, E, and their synergism was monitored in an environment that lasted for 30 days. Twenty four (24) adult rabbits of equal male (buck) and female (doe) ratio, were randomly assigned to four vitamin C and E based treatment groups in a Randomized Complete Block Experimented Design (RCBD) designated as follow, Treatment group A = No vitamin /kg feed, Treatment group B = 500mg vitamin C/kg feed, Treatment group C = 3000IU vitamin E /kg feed, Treatment group D = 1000mg Vitamin C and 6000IU vitamin E/kg feed. From the results, the mean final weight, mean weight gain (kg), percent final weight gain, mean total feed intake, mean daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, were significantly (P<0.05) affected positively by the additive Vitamin C, E and their synergism. Also, Vitamin C, E and Vitamin C and E combina- tion, had a positive significant influence on the gonadal weights amongst the treatment groups. It was therefore concluded that vitamin C, vitamin E and their synergism had a positive additive influence on both performance indices and gonadal weights of both male and female rabbits. © 2011 woaj Ltd. All rights reserved O.O. Ukpai, 1 M.A. Yahaya 1 and P. K. Ajuogu 2 , 1 Department of Animal Science Faculty of Agriculture, Rivers State University of Science Technology Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria 2 Department of Animal Science and Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria Article history: Accepted: Available online: 3decembre 2011 Keywords: Rabbits, performance, gonadal weights Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Synergism, Humid Tropics ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT New Clues in Sciences 1 (2011) 97-101 1. INTRODUCTION Rabbit’s obvious comparative advantage over other animal farm species, can effectively ameliorate the problem of animal protein shortages in developing coun- tries in general and Nigeria in particular [2]. Feed which constitute about 70% of the total cost in monogastrict animal production is a major factor limiting the produc- tion of animals especially rabbits. In most developing countries, the search for non conventional feed additives to replace or promote effective utilization of the expensive conventional ones appears to occupy the attention of the animal scientist [12; 13; 14]. Incorporating herbal plants and other ex- * Corresponding author. email address: ajuogukelechi@yahoo.com 2011 woaj Ltd. All rights reserved Available at woaj New Clues in Sciences Journal homepage: www.woaj.org/NCS