Scientists tested whether ginkgo leaf extract—a natural plant supplement—could help young rabbits grow better and stay healthier. They fed 80 rabbits either regular food or food mixed with different amounts of ginkgo extract for six weeks. The rabbits that ate the medium amount of ginkgo extract grew faster, gained more weight, and had better meat quality than rabbits eating regular food. They also had stronger natural defenses against cell damage and healthier fat profiles in their meat. This research suggests that ginkgo extract could be a safe, natural way to improve rabbit farming.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether adding ginkgo leaf extract to rabbit food would help them grow faster, digest food better, stay healthier, and produce better quality meat
  • Who participated: 80 young male rabbits that had just been weaned (separated from their mothers), divided into 4 equal groups of 20 rabbits each
  • Key finding: Rabbits fed a medium amount of ginkgo extract (4 grams per kilogram of food) grew significantly faster and gained more weight than rabbits eating regular food, with fewer deaths in the treated groups
  • What it means for you: If you raise rabbits or eat rabbit meat, this suggests ginkgo extract could naturally improve animal health and meat quality. However, this research was done on rabbits, so results may not directly apply to other animals or humans without further testing

The Research Details

Researchers divided 80 young rabbits into four equal groups. One group (the control) ate regular rabbit food. The other three groups ate the same food but with different amounts of ginkgo leaf extract mixed in—a small amount, a medium amount, and a large amount. All rabbits ate their assigned diet for 42 days (about 6 weeks). The scientists measured how much the rabbits grew, how well they digested their food, checked their blood for signs of health, tested the quality of their meat, and examined the fats in their meat.

Ginkgo leaf extract is a natural substance made from ginkgo tree leaves that contains compounds called flavonoids. These compounds are known to help protect cells from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. The researchers chose ginkgo extract because previous studies showed it has strong protective properties, but it hadn’t been tested much in young rabbits before.

This type of study is called a controlled experiment because the researchers carefully controlled everything except the ginkgo extract amount, allowing them to see if the extract itself made a difference.

Using a controlled experiment design with four groups allows scientists to see clear cause-and-effect relationships. By testing three different amounts of ginkgo extract, researchers could find the best dose—not too little and not too much. This approach is important because it helps determine whether ginkgo extract actually works and at what level it works best, rather than just guessing.

This study has several strengths: it used a large enough group of animals (80 rabbits), randomly assigned them to groups to avoid bias, and measured many different outcomes (growth, digestion, blood health, meat quality, and genetic markers). The study was published in the Journal of Animal Science, a respected scientific journal. However, the study only lasted 6 weeks, so we don’t know long-term effects. Also, results are specific to rabbits and may not apply to other animals without additional research.

What the Results Show

Rabbits fed the medium amount of ginkgo extract grew noticeably better than control rabbits. Their body weight increased more, and they gained more weight each day on average. Importantly, fewer rabbits in the ginkgo-fed groups died compared to the control group, suggesting the extract helped them stay healthier.

The rabbits eating ginkgo extract also digested their food better. They absorbed more nutrients from tough plant fibers and minerals like ash (which includes calcium and other minerals). They also kept more nitrogen (an important protein building block) in their bodies, which is good for growth.

The medium-dose group showed the best results for energy use—they absorbed more total energy from their food and stored more of that energy in their bodies for growth. Interestingly, the highest dose didn’t work as well as the medium dose, suggesting there’s an optimal amount that works best.

Blood tests showed that rabbits eating ginkgo extract had stronger natural defenses against cell damage. They had higher levels of protective enzymes and lower levels of harmful molecules that damage cells. They also had lower cholesterol levels, which is generally considered healthier.

The meat quality improved in rabbits fed ginkgo extract. Their meat was less yellow (more normal color), lost less liquid when cooked, and was more tender (easier to chew). The fat composition also improved—the meat had less of certain unhealthy fats and more of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, which are considered healthier for eating. Additionally, genetic markers related to cell protection were activated at higher levels in the ginkgo-fed rabbits, showing that the extract was working at a cellular level to boost natural defense systems.

This is one of the first studies testing ginkgo extract specifically in young rabbits, so direct comparisons are limited. However, previous research has shown that ginkgo extract works as an antioxidant (cell protector) in other animals and humans. This study confirms that ginkgo extract has similar protective effects in rabbits and extends the research to show it also improves growth and meat quality—findings that hadn’t been documented before in this species.

The study only lasted 6 weeks, so we don’t know if benefits continue or change over longer periods. The research was done only on young male rabbits, so results might be different for female rabbits or older rabbits. The study measured many outcomes, which is good, but it was conducted in controlled laboratory conditions that may differ from typical rabbit farming. Finally, while the results are promising, this is animal research, so we can’t assume the same effects would occur in humans without separate human studies.

The Bottom Line

For rabbit farmers: Consider adding 4 grams of ginkgo leaf extract per kilogram of feed as a natural supplement to improve growth, health, and meat quality (moderate confidence based on this single study). For consumers: This research suggests rabbit meat from ginkgo-supplemented diets may have better nutritional profiles, though more research is needed. For researchers: This study provides a foundation for testing ginkgo extract in other animal species and potentially in humans (low to moderate confidence for applications beyond rabbits).

Rabbit farmers and producers should care about this research because it offers a natural way to improve their animals’ health and product quality. People interested in animal nutrition and natural feed additives will find this relevant. However, this research is specific to rabbits—pet owners, farmers raising other animals, and people looking for human health applications should not assume these results apply to them without additional research.

In the study, improvements in growth and health markers appeared within the first 6 weeks of feeding ginkgo extract. Farmers could expect to see faster growth and better feed efficiency relatively quickly. However, long-term benefits beyond 6 weeks are unknown and would require additional research.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If tracking rabbit health: Monitor weekly weight gain (target: increased average daily gain), feed conversion ratio (how much food produces how much growth), and mortality rate. Compare these metrics before and after introducing ginkgo extract supplementation.
  • For rabbit farmers using a farm management app: Set reminders to add the optimal 4 g/kg ginkgo extract dose to feed batches, track feed inventory and costs, and log weekly weight measurements and health observations for each rabbit group to monitor improvements.
  • Establish a baseline of current growth rates, health metrics, and meat quality before introducing ginkgo extract. Then track the same metrics weekly for at least 6 weeks to see if improvements match the research findings. Document any changes in feed costs versus improved outcomes to determine if the supplement is economically worthwhile for your operation.

This research was conducted on rabbits and shows promising results for rabbit farming. However, these findings should not be applied to other animal species or humans without additional research specific to those populations. If you are considering using ginkgo extract for any purpose—whether for animals you raise or for personal health—consult with a veterinarian or healthcare provider first. This summary is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or veterinary advice. Always follow local regulations regarding animal feed additives and consult with agricultural extension services before making changes to animal diets.