Litter size component traits in two Algerian rabbit lines

[EN] The aim of this study was to estimate the limiting litter size components in rabbit females from a Synthetic line (n=32) and a Local population (n=34). Ovulation rate, number of implanted and live embryos were counted by laparoscopy at 12 d after mating. Prolificacy (total newborn, number born alive and mortality) and embryonic, foetal and prenatal survival at day of birth of the 3rd gestation were measured. The analysed traits were body weight of the female at mating, ovulation rate, implanted, live and resorbed embryos, embryonic, foetal and prenatal survival, as well as total newborn, number born alive and mortality at birth. Synthetic line females had a higher ovulation rate compared to the Local population (11.03±0.23 vs. 8.41±0.23 corpora lutea; P<0.0001). Synthetic line displayed a higher number of implanted embryos (10.00±0.25 vs. 7.85±0.25 embryos; P<0.0001). No difference was found between groups for number of resorbed embryos. Similar embryonic, foetal and prenatal survival rates were reported between the Synthetic line and the Local population. Additionally, total newborn was higher in the Synthetic line than in the Local population (+1.46 kits; P<0.05). A principal components analysis was performed. The first four principal components (PC) explained more than 90% of the total variation in both lines. Total newborn, number born alive and live embryos were the main variables defining the 1st PC. Resorbed embryos and foetal survival were located in the 2nd PC. Ovulation rate and embryonic survival were the predominant variables defining the 3rd PC. The body weight of females was located in the 4th PC. The phenotypic correlation between total newborn and its components were high and positive in both lines, except for ovulation rate and total newborn, where it was moderate in Synthetic line. In conclusion, the females from Synthetic line have a higher total newborn than those from Local population, as a consequence of a higher number of released oocytes and embryos that successfully reach implantation. However, a higher uterine crowding in Synthetic line seems to limit survival of foetuses that reach term of gestation, while ovulation rate is the principal limiting factor of total newborn in Local population.The authors are grateful to Halfaoui Mobarek Said and Hamed Khodja Nabil for their valuable support during this experiment.Belabbas, R.; García, MDLL.; Ainbaziz, H.; Berbar, A.; Argente, MJ. (2021). Litter size component traits in two Algerian rabbit lines. World Rabbit Science. 29(1):51-58. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2021.14247OJS5158291Adams C.E. 1960. Prenatal mortality in the rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus. J. Reprod. Fertil., I: 36-44. https://doi.org/10.1530/jrf.0.00100366Argente M.J., Santacreu M.A., Climent A., Blasco A. 2003. 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Effects of High-Temperature-Pressure Polymerized Resin-Infiltrated Ceramic Networks on Oral Stem Cells

International audienceObjectivesThe development of CAD—CAM techniques called for new materials suited to this technique and offering a safe and sustainable clinical implementation. The infiltration of resin in a ceramic network under high pressure and high temperature defines a new class of hybrid materials, namely polymer infiltrated ceramics network (PICN), for this purpose which requires to be evaluated biologically. We used oral stem cells (gingival and pulpal) as an in vitro experimental model.MethodsFour biomaterials were grinded, immersed in a culture medium and deposed on stem cells from dental pulp (DPSC) and gingiva (GSC): Enamic (VITA®), Experimental Hybrid Material (EHM), EHM with initiator (EHMi) and polymerized Z100™ composite material (3M®). After 7 days of incubation; viability, apoptosis, proliferation, cytoskeleton, inflammatory response and morphology were evaluated in vitro.ResultsProliferation was insignificantly delayed by all the tested materials. Significant cytotoxicity was observed in presence of resin based composites (MTT assay), however no detectable apoptosis and some dead cells were detected like in PICN materials. Cell morphology, major cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix components were not altered. An intimate contact appeared between the materials and cells.Clinical SignificanceThe three new tested biomaterials did not exhibit adverse effects on oral stem cells in our experimental conditions and may be an interesting alternative to ceramics or composite based CAD—CAM blocks

Prenatal factors affecting the probability of survival between birth and weaning in rabbits

The aim of this study was to analyse the relationships between kit birth weight and litter size with kit survival from birth to weaning, and to estimate the effects of place of birth, nest quality, cannibalism, lactation, parity order, season and sex. A total of 1696 kits from 82 females of the ITLEV2006 synthetic line were used in this study. A logistic regression was performed. Kit birth weight was directly related to the probability of the kit’s survival from birth to weaning, and increasing birth weight by one gram increased the likelihood of kit survival by 8% to 10% (P<0.001). In line with the decrease in birth weight of kits as the number of kits at birth increases, litter size showed a negative relationship to the probability of survival from birth to weaning, and increasing the litter by one kit at birth decreased the probability of survival of the kits by 5% to 9% (P<0.05). Regarding effects, cannibalism events in the litter decreased the probability of survival of the kits in the first week of life (P<0.01). Being born in the cage decreased the probability of survival of the kits from birth to weaning, and kits born outside the nest had a lower chance of survival than those born inside the nest (P<0.01). The order of parturition had a positive effect on probability of survival of the kits from 5 days of age to weaning (P<0.05). Female kits had a lower chance of survival than male kits, but only until 5 days of age (P<0.01). The lactation status displayed a negative effect on the probability of survival of the kits in the first week of life, and kits gestated in lactating females had a lower chance of survival than those gestated in non-lactating females (P<0.05). In conclusion, the probability of kit survival in the first days after parturition was affected mainly by its weight at birth, litter size, cannibalism events, place of birth of kit, parity order, sex and lactation status, while the probability of kit survival at weaning was directly related to its weight at birth, litter size, place of birth of kit and parity order

Purification de la protease alcaline du lait : etude de son activite dans des conditions technologiques

SIGLECNRS T Bordereau / INIST-CNRS - Institut de l'Information Scientifique et TechniqueFRFranc

Occurrence of Vibrio spp. along the Algerian Mediterranean coast in wild and farmed Sparus aurata and Dicentrarchus labrax

Background and Aim: Vibrio bacteria are autochthonous inhabitants of aquatic and marine environments. Certain strains are responsible for important seafood-borne outbreaks in developed nations. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Vibrio spp. along the Algerian Mediterranean coast in several samples of two prominent wild and farmed marine fishes, Sparus aurata and Dicentrarchus labrax. Materials and Methods: A total of 350 S. aurata (n=280 farmed and n=70 wild) and 340 D. labrax (n=250 farmed and n=90 wild) were sampled among three different locations along the Algerian Mediterranean coastal area. The samples were processed for Vibrio research according to the ISO methods. Isolated colonies were identified utilizing biochemical tests and consecutively confirmed with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry, combined with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis when appropriate, or confirmed with PCR analysis alone. Results: A total of 42 Vibrio spp. were detected only among the farmed fishes. Taking into account, all 690 fishes sampled, the incidence of Vibrio spp. was 6.08% (with peaks up to 7.92%) among the total number of farmed fishes. Overall, 25 strains were isolated from S. aurata and 17 strains were isolated from D. labrax. The isolated strains belonged to four different species and were represented as follows: Vibrio alginolyticus (n=20), Vibrio cholerae (n=15), Vibrio fluvialis (n=5), and Vibrio hollisae (n=2). The incidence of Vibrio was higher in places characterized by greater levels of anthropogenic contamination of seawater. Conclusion: Considering the growing production and consequent rising consumption of farmed fish in Algeria, the reported incidence of Vibrio and the presence of potentially pathogenic strains of Vibrio such as V. cholerae cause particular concern for food safety matters. Even if innovative and natural techniques are desired in aquaculture, proper hygiene and manufacturing practices are essential for the correct management of Vibrio infection risk in farmed fishes at both industrial and domestic levels

Validation of Housekeeping Genes to Study Human Gingival Stem Cells and Their In Vitro Osteogenic Differentiation Using Real-Time RT-qPCR

International audienceGingival stem cells (GSCs) are recently isolated multipotent cells. Their osteogenic capacity has been validated in vitro and may be transferred to human cell therapy for maxillary large bone defects, as they share a neural crest cell origin with jaw bone cells. RT-qPCR is a widely used technique to study gene expression and may help us to follow osteoblast differentiation of GSCs. For accurate results, the choice of reliable housekeeping genes (HKGs) is crucial. The aim of this study was to select the most reliable HKGs for GSCs study and their osteogenic differentiation (dGSCs). The analysis was performed with ten selected HKGs using four algorithms: ΔCt comparative method, GeNorm, BestKeeper, and NormFinder. This study demonstrated that three HKGs, SDHA, ACTB, and B2M, were the most stable to study GSC, whereas TBP, SDHA, and ALAS1 were the most reliable to study dGSCs. The comparison to stem cells of mesenchymal origin (ASCs) showed that SDHA/HPRT1 were the most appropriate for ASCs study. The choice of suitable HKGs for GSCs is important as it gave access to an accurate analysis of osteogenic differentiation. It will allow further study of this interesting stem cells source for future human therapy

A comparative study on the follicular dynamics between sexually receptive and non-receptive algerian female rabbits after mating

This histological study compared ovarian follicular growth in local Algerian breed of female rabbits between mating and the moment of the potential ovulation, in two groups of animals: 32 receptive does were mated with a buck and 25 non receptive does in which mating was assisted by manual restraint of the female. In each group, 2 to 6 rabbits were slaughtered at various stages (0, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9, 10 and 11-12 hours post coïtum (p.c)) and for each of these stages respectively 2, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, and 6 receptive rabbits and 2, 4, 4, 3, 4, 2, 2 and 4 non-receptive rabbits. In receptive rabbits, the precursor signs of the ovulation appear from the fourth hour p.c: capillary lumina dilation, a slight oedema appear ed in the theca interna region which becomes prominent two hours later. At eight hours p.c the ovum and its immediately surrounding cells were practically floating free in the folliculi liquor. In addition to the oedema in the theca interna layer, an oedema just below the surface epithelium often appeared. Before rupture, the oedema in the apex had almost disappeared and the follicle wall was very thin in this region. An ovulation is observed at 10 hours p.c. Between ten and twelve hours p.c, only four on the six studied receptive does have ovulated and showed onl y one ruptured follicles. At different stages, the non-receptive ovarian female rabbits presented many atretic and healthy follicles. The oedema in the theca interna appeared in only one rabbit from 6 hours p.c. For a majority of preovulatory follicles, ovum lost their spherical shape and presented signs of degeneration. On non-receptive does, no ovulation was observed till 12 hours p.c.These results illustrate the difficulty of a non-receptive does to ovulate and suggest for receptive does, an ovulation asynchrony and an interval between mating and ovulation often greater than 12 hours. Further longer studies will be necessary to precisely describe the follicular grow th on receptive and non-receptive rabbit does of the Algerian local population

Growth performances, carcass traits, meat quality, and blood metabolic parameters in rabbits of local Algerian population and synthetic line

Aim: The objective of this work was to study the growth performance, slaughter traits, meat quality, and metabolic profile in rabbits of local Algerian population and a synthetic line. Materials and Methods: In total, 120 weaned rabbits were used (60 per group). Growth traits were recorded from weaning (35 days) to slaughter (91 days). At slaughter, carcass traits, meat quality, and metabolic profiles were measured. Results: The synthetic line showed heavier total weight and faster daily weight gain than the local population (+15% and +19%, respectively), better feed conversion (3.92 vs. 4.81 g/g), and heavier weight of cold carcass, and perirenal fat (+15%). No differences were found between the two groups in dressing out percentage, muscular pH, weight of liver, or scapular fat. Wider intestinal villi were found in the synthetic line (+20%, p<0.0001) allowing better absorption surface in this line. The synthetic line also showed higher fat content (3.41% vs. 2.22%, p<0.0001) in the meat and lower protein content (22.02% vs. 18.98%, p=0.0002). Glucose level was 19% higher in the local population than in the synthetic line. Conclusion: The synthetic line is well adapted to the local conditions of Algeria. This line has shown better growth, daily gain, and feed conversion, due to its better intestinal absorption surface

Genetic Analyses of Rabbit Survival and Individual Birth Weight

Genetic parameters of kit survival traits and birth weight were estimated on ITELV2006 synthetic line aimed at improving kit survival using a multiple trait linear and threshold model. Data on 1696 kits for survival at birth and at weaning, as well as individual birth weight and litter size were analysed. Genetic effects of kit survival traits and birth weight were estimated based on threshold and Gaussian models, respectively, using a Bayesian approach. The statistical model included, as fixed effects, parity, lactation status, season of farrowing, nest status, cannibalism in kit, place of kit&rsquo;s birth in the cage and gender, and adjustment for litter size. Posterior means of heritabilities for direct genetic effects of survival at birth and the entire nursing period, as well as birth weight, were 0.018, 0.023, and 0.088, respectively, and were increased when adjusted for litter size to 0.021, 0.027 and 0.146. Genetic correlation between survival traits was zero. Therefore, these traits can be treated genetically as different traits. Genetic correlation between direct effects of survival at birth and birth weight showed positive, but low, value (+0.134) and was increased to +0.535 when the traits were adjusted for litter size. No genetic correlation was found between survival at weaning and birth weight. These magnitudes of genetic parameter estimates suggested that there is substantial potential for the genetic improvement of kit survival at birth through selection for birth weight

Genetic correlations for reproductive and growth traits in rabbits

The objective of this study was to obtain heritability estimates for reproductive (litter size at birth, number born alive, litter size at weaning) and growth traits (individual weaning weight, individual weight at the end of the fattening period), then determine the genetic correlation between them in a synthetic rabbit line. A total of 805 females, 3242 parities, and 18 472 growth records were measured from 2006 to 2017. A pentavariate animal model was used with reproductive and growth traits. Heritability ranged from 0.025 to 0.126 for reproductive traits and from 0.033 to 0.059 for growth traits. These traits showed a large coefficient of variation (from 32% to 56% for reproductive traits and from 21% to 28% for growth traits). The repeatability of reproductive traits was low and the common litter effect for growth traits was the most important component of total variance. The genetic and phenotypic correlations between reproductive and growth traits were high and negative, especially with weight at weaning (−0.848, −0.922, and −0.854 for litter size at birth, number born alive, and litter size at weaning, respectively). In conclusion, because of the high negative correlation between reproductive and growth traits, both reproductive and growth traits should be selected in independent lines and the response to selection should be due mainly to the high coefficient of variation of the traits.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author