Serum level of hormone and metabolites in pregnant rabbit does

The aims of this study were to compare the hormones and metabolites serum levels and the reproductive performances of nulliparous (n=100) and primiparous pregnant does submitted to artificial insemination (AI) 11 days post-partum. On the day of AI, all the does were weighed and the sexual receptivity was evaluated. The kits were weaned at 26 day. Blood samples were collect by punc- ture of the marginal ear vein from one day before AI until few days before the kindling and assayed for hormones and metabolites. The higher sexual receptivity and the fertility in nulliparous than in primiparous does confirmed the negative effect of lactation. Nulliparous does showed higher blood con- centration of leptine than primiparous, and in both the groups such level lowered during pregnancy, probably reflecting the reduction of the fat reserve. The insuline level increased during pregnancy in either groups as a consequence of the growing of the foetuses. In nulliparous does the cortisol, NEFA and T3 concentrations were higher than primiparous does. The glucose levels were similar in both the groups probably due to the homeostatic mechanisms controlling the glycemia. Hormonal and metabo- lite analyses represent a good tool for understanding the physiological mechanisms required to meet higher reproductive performance

Consequences of rearing feeding programme on the performance of rabbit females from 1st to 2nd parturition

[EN] To evaluate how rearing programmes could affect resources allocation and reproductive performance of primiparous rabbit females, a total of 118 rabbit females were used to evaluate the effects of five rearing feeding programmes on their performance from 1st to 2nd parturition: CAL, fed ad libitum C diet (11.0 MJ digestible energy (DE), 114 g digestible protein (DP) and 358 g NDF/kg dry matter (DM) until 1st parturition; CR, fed ad libitum with C diet until 12 weeks of age and then C diet restricted (140 g/day) until 1st parturition; F, fed ad libitum with F diet (8.7 MJ DE, 88 g DP and 476 NDF/kg DM) until 1st parturition; FC, fed with F diet ad libitum until 16 weeks of age, and C diet ad libitum until 1st parturition; FCF, fed with F diet ad libitum until 16 weeks of age, then C diet ad libitum until 20 weeks and then F diet ad libitum until 1st parturition. From 1st parturition, C diet was ad libitum offered to all the experimental groups until 2nd parturition. CAL females presented lower feed intake than females of F, FC and FCF groups in the 1st week of lactation (on av. ¿16.6%; P<0.05). During 1st lactation, the perirenal fat thickness change in CAL females was not different from 0 (+0.02 mm), while in the other four groups it increased (on av. +0.44 mm; P<0.05). Plasma of females fed with F diet during rearing (F, FC and FCF) had lower non-esterified fatty acids content than those exclusively fed with C diet (¿0.088 and ¿0.072 mmol/l compared to CAL and CR, respectively; P<0.05). FCF litters had higher weight than F litters at day 21 of lactation (+247 g; P<0.05), but FCF litter had significantly lower weight than FC litters at weaning (+170 g; P<0.05). CR females had the shortest average interval between the 1st and 2nd parturition (49 days) and FCF females the longest (+ 9 days compared to CR; P<0.05). At 2nd parturition, liveborn litters of F females were larger and heavier than litters of FCF females (+2.22 kits and +138 g; P<0.05), probably due to the lower mortality at birth of F litters (¿16.5 percentage points; P<0.05). In conclusion, rearing females on fibrous diets seems to increase the ability of primiparous rabbit females to obtain resources, especially at the onset of lactation.The authors thank the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (Project AGL2006-07596) for the economic support to conduct this study.Martinez-Paredes, E.; Savietto, D.; Ródenas Martínez, L.; Cervera Fras, MC.; Blas Ferrer, E.; Brecchia, G.; Boiti, C.... (2019). Consequences of rearing feeding programme on the performance of rabbit females from 1st to 2nd parturition. Animal. 13(10):2173-2182. https://doi.org/10.1017/S175173111900051XS217321821310Verdelhan S , Bourdillon A , David JJ , Huirtaurd JJ , Lédan L , Renouf B , Roulleau X and Salaun JM 2005. Comparaison de deux programmes alimentaires pour la préparation des futures reproductrices. In Proceedings of the 11émes Journées de la Recherche Cunicole, 29–30 November 2005, Paris, France, pp. 119–122.Quevedo, F., Cervera, C., Blas, E., Baselga, M., Costa, C., & Pascual, J. J. (2005). Effect of selection for litter size and feeding programme on the performance of young rabbit females during rearing and first pregnancy. Animal Science, 80(2), 161-168. doi:10.1079/asc40850161Pascual, J. J., Savietto, D., Cervera, C., & Baselga, M. (2013). Resources allocation in reproductive rabbit does: a review of feeding and genetic strategies for suitable performance. World Rabbit Science, 21(3). doi:10.4995/wrs.2013.1236Pascual, J. J., Castella, F., Cervera, C., Blas, E., & Fernández-Carmona, J. (2000). The use of ultrasound measurement of perirenal fat thickness to estimate changes in body condition of young female rabbits. Animal Science, 70(3), 435-442. doi:10.1017/s135772980005178xMartínez-Paredes, E., Ródenas, L., Martínez-Vallespín, B., Cervera, C., Blas, E., Brecchia, G., … Pascual, J. J. (2012). Effects of feeding programme on the performance and energy balance of nulliparous rabbit does. animal, 6(7), 1086-1095. doi:10.1017/s1751731111002643Manal, A. F., Tony, M. A., & Ezzo, O. H. (2010). Feed restriction of pregnant nulliparous rabbit does: consequences on reproductive performance and maternal behaviour. Animal Reproduction Science, 120(1-4), 179-186. doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2010.03.010Littell, R. C., Henry, P. R., & Ammerman, C. B. (1998). Statistical analysis of repeated measures data using SAS procedures. Journal of Animal Science, 76(4), 1216. doi:10.2527/1998.7641216xFriggens, N. C., Brun-Lafleur, L., Faverdin, P., Sauvant, D., & Martin, O. (2011). Advances in predicting nutrient partitioning in the dairy cow: recognizing the central role of genotype and its expression through time. animal, 7(s1), 89-101. doi:10.1017/s1751731111001820Blas, C. de, & Mateos, G. G. (s. f.). Feed formulation. Nutrition of the rabbit, 222-232. doi:10.1079/9781845936693.0222Rebollar, P. G., Pereda, N., Schwarz, B. F., Millán, P., Lorenzo, P. L., & Nicodemus, N. (2011). Effect of feed restriction or feeding high-fibre diet during the rearing period on body composition, serum parameters and productive performance of rabbit does. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 163(1), 67-76. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2010.10.005Statistical Analysis System (SAS) 2002. SAS/SAT user’s guide (release 9.1). SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA.Bonnano A , Mazza F , Di Grigoli A and Alicata ML 2004. Effects of restricted feeding during rearing, combined with a delayed first insemination, on reproductive activity of rabbit does. In Proceedings of the 8th World Rabbit Congress, 7–10 September 2004, Puebla, México, pp. 224–230.Arnau-Bonachera, A., Cervera, C., Blas, E., Larsen, T., Martínez-Paredes, E., Ródenas, L., & Pascual, J. J. (2017). Long-term implications of feed energy source in different genetic types of reproductive rabbit females: I. Resource acquisition and allocation. animal, 12(9), 1867-1876. doi:10.1017/s1751731117003287Daly, M. E., Vale, C., Walker, M., Alberti, K. G., & Mathers, J. C. (1997). Dietary carbohydrates and insulin sensitivity: a review of the evidence and clinical implications. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 66(5), 1072-1085. doi:10.1093/ajcn/66.5.1072Federation Internationale de Lacterie 1993. Determination de la teneur en azote. FIL Standard: 20B. Secrétariat General Federation Internationale de Lacterie, Brussels, Belgium.Xiccato, G., Bernardini, M., Castellini, C., Dalle Zotte, A., Queaque, P. I., & Trocino, A. (1999). Effect of postweaning feeding on the performance and energy balance of female rabbits at different physiological states. Journal of Animal Science, 77(2), 416. doi:10.2527/1999.772416xViudes-de-Castro, P., Santacreu, M., & Vicente, J. (1991). Effet de la concentration énergétique de l’alimentation sur les pertes embryonnaires et fœtales chez la lapine. Reproduction Nutrition Development, 31(5), 529-534. doi:10.1051/rnd:19910505Pascual, J. J., Cervera, C., Blas, E., & Fernández-Carmona, J. (1999). Effect of high fat diets on the performance, milk yield and milk composition of multiparous rabbit does. Animal Science, 68(1), 151-162. doi:10.1017/s1357729800050177Brecchia, G., Bonanno, A., Galeati, G., Federici, C., Maranesi, M., Gobbetti, A., … Boiti, C. (2006). Hormonal and metabolic adaptation to fasting: Effects on the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis and reproductive performance of rabbit does. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 31(2), 105-122. doi:10.1016/j.domaniend.2005.09.006Savietto, D., Cervera, C., Ródenas, L., Martínez-Paredes, E., Baselga, M., García-Diego, F. J., … Pascual, J. J. (2014). Different resource allocation strategies result from selection for litter size at weaning in rabbit does. Animal, 8(4), 618-628. doi:10.1017/s1751731113002437Martínez-Paredes, E., Ródenas, L., Pascual, J. J., & Savietto, D. (2018). Early development and reproductive lifespan of rabbit females: implications of growth rate, rearing diet and body condition at first mating. animal, 12(11), 2347-2355. doi:10.1017/s1751731118000162Rommers, J. M., Meijerhof, R., Noordhuizen, J. P. T. M., & Kemp, B. (2004). Effect of feeding program during rearing and age at first insemination on performances during subsequent reproduction in young rabbit does. Reproduction Nutrition Development, 44(4), 321-332. doi:10.1051/rnd:200403

Effects of feeding programme on the performance and energy balance of nulliparous rabbit does

A total of 190 rabbit females were used to evaluate five feeding programmes from 9 weeks of age to the first parturition: CAL, fed ad libitum with a control diet (C: 11.0 MJ digestible energy (DE) and 114 g digestible protein (DP)/kg dry matter (DM)) until first parturition; CR, fed ad libitum with C diet until 12 weeks of age and then C diet restricted (140 g/day) until first parturition; F, fed ad libitum with a low-energy, high-fibre diet (F: 8.7 MJ DE and 88 g DP/kg DM) until first parturition; FC, fed with F diet ad libitum until 16 weeks of age, and C diet ad libitum until first parturition; FCF, fed with F diet ad libitum until 16 weeks of age, then C diet ad libitum until 20 weeks and then F diet ad libitum until first parturition. The rabbits were artificially inseminated at 18 weeks of age. CAL group had a higher mortality rate compared with the other groups between 9 and 12 weeks of age (34% v. 3%; P,0.05) and during the last 3 weeks of first pregnancy (14% v. 3%; P,0.05). The CAL and FC females presented higher BW and perirenal fat thickness (PFT) than CR females at 11 days of pregnancy (10.41 kg and 10.6 mm; P,0.05), with F females showing medium values. The type of feeding procedure did not affect the fertility rate of young females at first artificial insemination. Differences in BW disappeared at parturition, when only CAL females presented a greater PFT than CR and FC females (10.3mm; P,0.05). In comparison with FCF, CAL females had smaller and thinner live born litters (22.5 kits and 2139 g, respectively; P,0.05), with CR, F and FC females showing medium values. The low number of kits born alive for CAL females was because of their lesser total number of kits born (21.7 kits; P,0.05) and the greater mortality of their litters at birth (113.9%; P,0.05) compared with FCF females. Non-esterified fatty acid was higher in the blood of females fed C diet (CAL and CR) than in others at partum day (on average 10.15 mmol/l; P,0.05). In conclusion, the ad libitum use of diets for lactating rabbit does throughout the rearing period could lead young rabbit females to present a higher risk of early death and smaller litter size at first parturition. Feed restriction or earlier use of suitably fibrous diets led females to achieve the critical BW and fat mass at first mating to ensure reproduction.The authors thank the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (Project AGL2006-07596) for the economic support to conduct this study.Martínez Paredes, EM.; Ródenas Martínez, L.; Martínez Vallespín, B.; Cervera Fras, MC.; Blas Ferrer, E.; Brecchia, G.; Boiti, C.... (2012). Effects of feeding programme on the performance and energy balance of nulliparous rabbit does. Animal. 6(7):1086-1095. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731111002643S1086109567Pascual, J. J., Castella, F., Cervera, C., Blas, E., & Fernández-Carmona, J. (2000). The use of ultrasound measurement of perirenal fat thickness to estimate changes in body condition of young female rabbits. Animal Science, 70(3), 435-442. doi:10.1017/s135772980005178xArias-Álvarez, M., García-García, R. M., Rebollar, P. G., Nicodemus, N., Revuelta, L., Millán, P., & Lorenzo, P. L. (2009). Effects of a lignin-rich fibre diet on productive, reproductive and endocrine parameters in nulliparous rabbit does. Livestock Science, 123(2-3), 107-115. doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2008.10.013Sejrsen, K., Huber, J. T., Tucker, H. A., & Akers, R. M. (1982). Influence of Nutrition on Mammary Development in Pre- and Postpubertal Heifers. Journal of Dairy Science, 65(5), 793-800. doi:10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(82)82268-6Klindt, J., Yen, J. T., & Christenson, R. K. (1999). Effect of prepubertal feeding regimen on reproductive development of gilts. Journal of Animal Science, 77(8), 1968. doi:10.2527/1999.7781968xBlas, C. de, & Mateos, G. G. (s. f.). Feed formulation. Nutrition of the rabbit, 222-232. doi:10.1079/9781845936693.0222Rommers, J. M., Kemp, B., Meijerhof, R., & Noordhuizen, J. P. (2001). The effect of litter size before weaning on subsequent body development, feed intake, and reproductive performance of young rabbit does. Journal of Animal Science, 79(8), 1973. doi:10.2527/2001.7981973xRommers, J. M., Meijerhof, R., Noordhuizen, J. P. T. M., & Kemp, B. (2002). Relationships between body weight at first mating and subsequent body development, feed intake, and reproductive performance of rabbit does. Journal of Animal Science, 80(8), 2036-2042. doi:10.1093/ansci/80.8.2036Moschos, S., Chan, J. L., & Mantzoros, C. S. (2002). Leptin and reproduction: a review. Fertility and Sterility, 77(3), 433-444. doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(01)03010-2Xiccato, G., Bernardini, M., Castellini, C., Dalle Zotte, A., Queaque, P. I., & Trocino, A. (1999). Effect of postweaning feeding on the performance and energy balance of female rabbits at different physiological states. Journal of Animal Science, 77(2), 416. doi:10.2527/1999.772416xChilliard, Y., Ferlay, A., Faulconnier, Y., Bonnet, M., Rouel, J., & Bocquier, F. (2000). Adipose tissue metabolism and its role in adaptations to undernutrition in ruminants. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 59(1), 127-134. doi:10.1017/s002966510000015xNicodemus, N., García, J., Carabaño, R., & De Blas, J. C. (2007). Effect of substitution of a soybean hull and grape seed meal mixture for traditional fiber sources on digestion and performance of growing rabbits and lactating does1. Journal of Animal Science, 85(1), 181-187. doi:10.2527/jas.2005-365Bezille P 1995. Toxémie de gestation et hypocalcémie chez la brebis. In Maladies métaboliques des rumiants (ed. Jean Marc Bichet), pp. 101–104. Le Point Vétérinarie 27(special number), WK Publications, Paris, France.Blas, E., & Gidenne, T. (s. f.). Digestion of sugars and starch. Nutrition of the rabbit, 19-38. doi:10.1079/9781845936693.0019FRISCH, R. E. (1984). BODY FAT, PUBERTY AND FERTILITY. Biological Reviews, 59(2), 161-188. doi:10.1111/j.1469-185x.1984.tb00406.xGidenne, T. (1997). Caeco-colic digestion in the growing rabbit: impact of nutritional factors and related disturbances. Livestock Production Science, 51(1-3), 73-88. doi:10.1016/s0301-6226(97)00111-5Klindt, J., Yen, J. T., & Christenson, R. K. (2001). Effect of prepubertal feeding regimen on reproductive development and performance of gilts through the first pregnancy. Journal of Animal Science, 79(4), 787. doi:10.2527/2001.794787xKlindt, J., Yen, J. T., & Christenson, R. K. (2001). Level of dietary energy during prepubertal growth and reproductive development of gilts. Journal of Animal Science, 79(10), 2513. doi:10.2527/2001.79102513xLittell, R. C., Henry, P. R., & Ammerman, C. B. (1998). Statistical analysis of repeated measures data using SAS procedures. Journal of Animal Science, 76(4), 1216. doi:10.2527/1998.7641216xRebollar, P. G., Pereda, N., Schwarz, B. F., Millán, P., Lorenzo, P. L., & Nicodemus, N. (2011). Effect of feed restriction or feeding high-fibre diet during the rearing period on body composition, serum parameters and productive performance of rabbit does. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 163(1), 67-76. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2010.10.005Rommers, J. M., Meijerhof, R., Noordhuizen, J. P. T. M., & Kemp, B. (2004). Effect of feeding program during rearing and age at first insemination on performances during subsequent reproduction in young rabbit does. Reproduction Nutrition Development, 44(4), 321-332. doi:10.1051/rnd:2004037Van Soest, P. J., Robertson, J. B., & Lewis, B. A. (1991). Methods for Dietary Fiber, Neutral Detergent Fiber, and Nonstarch Polysaccharides in Relation to Animal Nutrition. Journal of Dairy Science, 74(10), 3583-3597. doi:10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(91)78551-2Whitehead, C. C. (1988). Selection for leanness in broilers using plasma lipoprotein concentration as selection criterion. Leanness in Domestic Birds, 41-57. doi:10.1016/b978-0-408-01036-8.50007-5Sørensen, M. T., Danielsen, V., & Busk, H. (1998). Different rearing intensities of gilts: Livestock Production Science, 54(2), 159-165. doi:10.1016/s0301-6226(97)00176-0Xiccato, G., & Trocino, A. (s. f.). Energy and protein metabolism and requirements. Nutrition of the rabbit, 83-118. doi:10.1079/9781845936693.0083Brecchia, G., Bonanno, A., Galeati, G., Federici, C., Maranesi, M., Gobbetti, A., … Boiti, C. (2006). Hormonal and metabolic adaptation to fasting: Effects on the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis and reproductive performance of rabbit does. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 31(2), 105-122. doi:10.1016/j.domaniend.2005.09.006European Union 2003. Protection of animals used for experimental purposes. Directive 86/609/EEC of 24th November 1986, amended 16th September 2003.Martínez-Vallespín, B., Martínez-Paredes, E., Ródenas, L., Cervera, C., Pascual, J. J., & Blas, E. (2011). Combined feeding of rabbit female and young: Partial replacement of starch with acid detergent fibre or/and neutral detergent soluble fibre at two protein levels. Livestock Science, 141(2-3), 155-165. doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2011.05.014Marteniuk, J. V., & Herdt, T. H. (1988). Pregnancy Toxemia and Ketosis of Ewes and Does. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 4(2), 307-315. doi:10.1016/s0749-0720(15)31050-1Barb, C. ., Barrett, J. ., Kraeling, R. ., & Rampacek, G. . (2001). Serum leptin concentrations, luteinizing hormone and growth hormone secretion during feed and metabolic fuel restriction in the prepuberal gilt. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 20(1), 47-63. doi:10.1016/s0739-7240(00)00088-

Influence of lactation, lactation stage and nutritional status at the moment of insemination on reproductive performances of rabbit does

International audienc

Current Knowledge on the Multifactorial Regulation of Corpora Lutea Lifespan: The Rabbit Model

Our research group studied the biological regulatory mechanisms of the corpora lutea (CL), paying particular attention to the pseudopregnant rabbit model, which has the advantage that the relative luteal age following ovulation is induced by the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH). CL are temporary endocrine structures that secrete progesterone, which is essential for maintaining a healthy pregnancy. It is now clear that, besides the classical regulatory mechanism exerted by prostaglandin E2 (luteotropic) and prostaglandin F2 (luteolytic), a considerable number of other effectors assist in the regulation of CL. The aim of this paper is to summarize our current knowledge of the multifactorial mechanisms regulating CL lifespan in rabbits. Given the essential role of CL in reproductive success, a deeper understanding of the regulatory mechanisms will provide us with valuable insights on various reproductive issues that hinder fertility in this and other mammalian species, allowing to overcome the challenges for new and more efficient breeding strategies

Veterinary ScienceCurrent Aspects in Biology, Animal Pathology, Clinic and Food Hygiene /

XXIV, 208 p.online resource

Performance and behaviour of rabbit does in a group-housing system with natural mating or artificial insemination

International audienceThis study compared reproductive performance and behaviour of does raised in a group-housing system and in a regular cage system. The group-housing pen was divided into different functional areas for suckling, resting, and eating and special hiding areas for kits when they had left the nest-boxes and does to favour the species specific behavioural traits. Does had access to their nest-box by means of an individual Electronic Nest-box Recognition System (ENRS) activated by a coded transponder placed in their eartags. Eight does were housed in each pen. Natural mating (NM, with a buck in the group) or artificial inseminations (AI) were applied. Litter size, kit mortality and kit weight at 14 d of age were similar for group-housing and cages when NM were applied. With a natural reproduction rhythm group-housing led to an increase of +38% of litters. However, from a management point of view, a cycled production system with AI is preferred. With AI and group-housing, a lower kindling rate and a lower kit weight at weaning were found. The lower kindling rate was partly caused by pseudo-pregnancies that were found in 23% ($P < 0.01$) of the does in the group-housing system against 0% in the control group. Sixteen to 20% of the does in the group-housing system had skin injuries, which is an indicator for aggression among does. Most of the injuries were seen on the body and most of them were superficial bites. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that group-housing of rabbit does seems possible, but more research is needed to solve the problems of the decreased kindling rate and occurrence of pseudo-pregnancies, the lower weight at weaning and aggressiveness among does