Performance of rabbit does housed in collective pens and individual cages

[EN] In society today, there is increasing concern for the welfare of farm animals. New models of rabbit breeding are proposed, such as group housing of rabbit does in a semi-group system or environmental enrichment of individual housing. This work aimed to evaluate the reproductive performance and metabolic aspects of rabbit does housed in collective pens, comparing them to individual cages provided with a platform. Forty-eight animals were distributed in 24 individual cages (40×98×57 cm; width, length and height) and four collective pens (six does per pen; 240×100×65 cm) and remained during four cycles. The does previously housed in collective pens gained less weight and reached lighter weights by the first insemination day (3669 vs. 3872 g; P<0.01), but regained weight over the cycles and had a similar weight during the experiment (4306 vs. 4329 g). It was observed that there was a lower feed intake in the period before delivery in collective pens, which contributed to the lower kit bThe first author thanks the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development Brazil (CNPq) for the postdoctoral fellowship.Machado, L.; Martínez-Paredes, E.; Cervera Fras, MC. (2019). Performance of rabbit does housed in collective pens and individual cages. World Rabbit Science. 27(4):227-235. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2019.11540OJS227235274BOE. 2013. Real Decreto 53/3013 Normas básicas aplicables para la protección de los animales utilizados en experimentación y otros fines científicos, incluyendo la docencia. BOE, 34: 11370-11421.Buijs S., Hermans K., Maertens L., Van Caelenberg A., Tuyttens F. A. M. 2014. Effects of semi-grouping housing and floor type on pododermatitis, spinal deformation and bone quality in rabbit does. Animal, 8: 1728-1734. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731114001669Buijs S., Maertens L., Hermans K., Vangeyte J. 2015. Behavior, wounds, weight loss and adrenal weight of rabbit does as affected by semi-group housing. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci., 172: 44-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2015.09.003Cervera C., Martínez-Paredes E., Machado L., Villagrá A. 2017. Producción de conejas en sistemas de alojamento individual o colectivo en semigrupo. In Proc.: XLII Symposiun de Cunicultura de ASESCU, Murcia, España, 107-110.European Commission. 2017 - Commercial Rabbit farming in the European Union - Overview report of the directorate-general for health and food safety on commercial farming of rabbits in the European Union. http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_food-safety/index_en.htmGraf S., Bigler L., Failing K., Würbel H., Buchwalder T. 2011. Regrouping rabbit does in a familiar or novel pen: Effects on agonistic behavior, injuries and core body temperature. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci., 135: 121-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2011.10.009Maertens L., Buijs S. 2013. Performances de femelles logées temporairement en groupe dans des parcs polyvalents et en système tout plein tout vide. In Proc.: 15émes Journées de la Recherche Cunícule, November 19-20, 2013, Le Mans, France, 35-38.Maertens L., Buijs S. 2016. Production performaces of rabbit does in a part time group housing system. In Proc.: 11 Would Rabbit Congress, June 15-18, Quindao, China, 711-714.Maertens L., De Bie Y. 2017. Logement de lapines "part-time" en groupe: resultats dans un élevage équipé avec des parcs polyvalents. In Proc.: XVII Journées de la Recherche Cunícule, November 21-22, Le Mans, France, 55-58.Maertens L., Buijs S., Tuyttens F.A.M. 2015. L'impact d'un lodgement temporairement en groupe et du sol sur le bienêtre des lapines. In Proc.: 16émes Journées de la Recherche Cunícule, November 24-25, Le Mans, France, 215-218.Mikó A., Matics Zs., Gerencsér Zs., Odermatt M., Radnai I., Nagy I., Szendrő K., Szendrő Zs. 2014. Performance and welfare of rabbit does in various caging systems. Animal, 8: 1146-1152. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731114001244Mugnai C., Dal Bosco A., Castellini C. 2009. Effect of different rearing systems and pre-kindling handling on behaviour and performance of rabbit does. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci., 118: 91-100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2009.02.007Pascual J.J., Blanco J., Piquer O., Quevedo F., Cervera C. 2004. Ultrasound measurement of perirenal fat thickness to estimate the body condition of reproducing rabbit does in different physiological states. World Rabbit Sci., 12: 7-21. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2004.584Rommers J., De Greef K. 2018. Are combi parks just as useful as regular parks for fatteners for part-time group housing of rabbit does? World Rabbit Sci., 26: 299-305. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2018.9587Rommers J.M., Boiti C., De Jong I., Brecchia G. 2006. Performance and behavior of rabbit does in a group-housing system with natural mating or artificial insemination. Reprod. Nutr. Develop., 46: 677-687. https://doi.org/10.1051/rnd:2006038Rommers J.M., Reuvekamp B.J.F., Gunnink H., Jong I.C. 2014. Effect of hiding places, straw and territory on aggression in group-housed rabbit does. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci., 157: 117-126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2014.05.011Szendrő Zs., McNitt J.I. 2012. Housing of rabbit does: group and individual systems: a review. Livest. Sci., 150: 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2012.09.017Szendrő Zs., Matics Zs., Szabó R.T., Kustos K., Mikó A., Odermatt M. Gerencsér Zs. 2016. Agressivity and its effect on lifespan of group housing rabbit does. Preliminary results. In Proc.: 11 World Rabbit Congress, June 15-18, 2016, Quindao, China, 719-722.Szendrő Zs., Trocino A., Hoy St., Xiccato G., Villagrá A., Szendrő K., Maertens L. 2019. A review of recent research outcomes about the housing of farmed domestic rabbits: reproducing does. World Rabbit Sci., 27: 1-14. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2019.10599Zomeño C., Birolo M., Gratta F., Zuffellato A., Xiccato G., Trocino A. 2018. Effects of group housing system, pens floor type, and lactation management on performance and behaviour in rabbit does. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci., 203: 55-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2018.03.00

Cognitive Keys in Psychophysical Estimation of Chemosensory Perception in University Students

Psychophysical methods allow us to measure the relationship between stimuli and sensory perception. Of these, Detection Threshold (DT) allows us to know the minimum concentration to produce taste identification. Given this, we wonder whether, for example, wine tasting experts are more capable of perceiving their sensory properties than other people, or whether they can distinguish them because they are better able to “describe” them. To verify this, this study analyses the influence of having prior knowledge of the name astringency and, failing that, to detect it and distinguish it between the four basic tastes. One-hundred-and-sixty-two university students with an average age of 19.43 (SD = 2.55) years were assigned to three experimental conditions: an experimental group (G.2) without previous knowledge of the name astringency and with alimentary satiety, and two control groups, both with previous knowledge of the name, these being G.1, with satiety, and G.3, with hunger. DT was collected for the four basic tastes and astringencies. Results showed significant differences in the identification of astringency, being the least identified experimental group with respect to the control groups. It is striking that G.2, without prior knowledge of the name, identified astringency as a bitter taste in most cases. This supports our hypothesis of the importance of attending to linguistic cognitive processes when psychophysically estimating taste in human

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-

Long-term implications of feed energy source in different genetic types of reproductive rabbit females: I. Resource acquisition and allocation

[EN] To achieve functional but also productive females, we hypothesised that it is possible to modulate acquisition and allocation of animals from different genetic types by varying the main energy source of the diet. To test this hypothesis, we used 203 rabbit females belonging to three genetic types: H (n=66), a maternal line characterised by hyper-prolificacy; LP (n=67), a maternal line characterised by functional hyper-longevity; R (n=79), a paternal line characterised by growth rate. Females were fed with two isoenergetic and isoprotein diets differing in energy source: animal fat (AF) enhancing milk yield; cereal starch (CS) promoting body reserves recovery. Feed intake, weight, perirenal fat thickness (PFT), milk yield and blood traits were controlled during five consecutive reproductive cycles (RCs). Females fed with CS presented higher PFT (+0.2 mm, P0.05), particularly for those fed with AF. Moreover, LP females fed with AF progressively increased PFT across the RC, whereas those fed with CS increased PFT during early lactation (+7.3%; P<0.05), but partially mobilised it during late lactation (-2.8%; P<0.05). Independently of the diet offered, LP females reached weaning with similar PFT. H females fed with either of the two diets followed a similar trajectory throughout the RC. For milk yield, the effect of energy source was almost constant during the whole experiment, except for the first RC of females from the maternal lines (H and LP). These females yielded +34.1% (P<0.05) when fed with CS during this period. Results from this work indicate that the resource acquisition capacity and allocation pattern of rabbit females is different for each genetic type. Moreover, it seems that by varying the main energy source of the diet it is possible to modulate acquisition and allocation of resources of the different genetic types. However, the response of each one depends on its priorities over time.The authors thank Juan Carlos Moreno for his technical support. The grant for Alberto Arnau from the Ministry of Economy and Finance (BES-2012-052345) is also gratefully acknowledged. This study was supported by the Interministerial Commission for Science and Technology (CICYT) of the Spanish Government (AGL2014-53405-C2-1-P).Arnau-Bonachera, A.; Cervera Fras, MC.; Blas Ferrer, E.; Larsen, T.; Martinez-Paredes, E.; Ródenas Martínez, L.; Pascual Amorós, JJ. (2018). 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. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731117003287S1867187612

Patterns of body condition use and its impact on fertility

A total of 60 nulliparous crossbred rabbit females were, a posteriori, divided into 2 experimental groups according to their natural “decision” to conceive or not at day 11 post first parturition (L: solely-lactating or LP: lactating-pregnant). This design allowed us to study the evolution of body reserves around first parturition and its influence on the future reproductive success of rabbit females. Primiparous rabbit females that failed to conceive when inseminated at day 11 post-partum (L) seemed to have a higher perirenal fat thickness (PFT) 12 d pre-partum (+0.25 mm; P=0.079) than females that conceived (LP). In the subsequent days, L females showed a significantly higher mobilisation rate than LP females (on av.–0.12 and –0.07 mm of PFT per day, respectively; P=0.007), reaching a lower PFT at partum (5.17 mm vs. 5.62 mm, respectively; P = 0.002). However, due to a greater recovery rate observed in L females (+0.15 vs. +0.08 mm of PFT per day for L and LP females, respectively; P=0.007), PFT at 10 d post-partum was similar (on av. 5.86 mm). These different patterns showed that PFT level at 12 d pre-partum and PFT mobilisation rate onwards seems to drive the start of a new pregnancy. It also seems to modify the energy metabolism of rabbit females, allowing does to recover perirenal fat tissue without compromising the production of milk necessary for the current litter.The authors acknowledge Juan Carlos Moreno for his technical support and the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (Project AGL2014-53405-C2-1-P) for the economic support to conduct this study.Savietto, D.; Marono, S.; Martínez, I.; Martínez Paredes, EM.; Ródenas Martínez, L.; Cervera Fras, MC.; Pascual Amorós, JJ. (2016). Patterns of body condition use and its impact on fertility. World Rabbit Science. 24(1):39-45. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2016.4006SWORD394524

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

Implicaciones cognitivas en la estimación psicofísica del sabor

Introducción: en la percepción sensorial del gusto, los conceptos de umbral absoluto (UA), los métodos psicofísicos para estimarlo y la influencia que ejerce el conocimiento previo sobre su percepción y reconocimiento son de difícil aprendizaje por su escaso estado de conciencia. Objetivo: evaluar los umbrales de detección de los cuatros sabores básicos en una muestra de jóvenes sanos, en condiciones de restricción de alimentos/no-restricción, y analizar la influencia del conocimiento previo de la astringencia para su detección-identificación. Método: se puso en contacto directo con las sustancias químicas de los sabores y de astringencia a 114 participantes con media de 20,03 años (DT = 5.45), el 75,4% mujeres, mediante una degustación teórica-práctica. Se aplicó un diseño de tratamiento invertido con las condiciones experimentales sobre restricción de alimentos y conocimiento de astringencia. Resultados: todos identificaron sus UA para los cuatro sabores básicos. El grupo con restricción fue significativamente más sensible (Tb = -3,305; p = 0,001) al dulce (UA = 2 g/l) que el grupo sin restricción (UA = 5 g/l). La detección-identificación de la astringencia resultó significativamente mayor (t = -13,323; p = 0,000) con información previa del nombre (79,31%) que sin esta información (19,64%), confundiéndola, o describiéndola, como sabor amargo (80,36%). Conclusiones: el aprendizaje del sabor se favorece cuando se realiza la medición psicofísica de los sentidos químicos junto a la formación de determinados conceptos teóricos sobre la percepción gustativa y denominación de sabores, al facilitar su proceso cognitivo posterior detección- identificación. También debe atenderse al proceso de homeostasis interna previa de los participantes por la variabilidad en los resultados de sus UA según las condiciones de hambre/saciedad anteriores a su estimación psicofísica.Introduction: in sensory perception of taste, it is difficult to learn the concepts of absolute threshold (AT), the psychophysical methods to estimate it and the influence exerted by prior knowledge on their perception and recognition, because they have little awareness. Objective: to assess absolute thresholds of four basic flavors in a sample of healthy young people, in conditions of food restriction/without restriction, and to analyze the influence of prior knowledge of astringency in its detection-identification. Methods: one hundred and fourteen participants with an average of 20.03 years old (SD = 5.45), 75.4% of them women, were put in direct contact with chemical substances of basic flavors and astringency through a theoretical-practical tasting. An inverted treatment design was applied with experimental conditions on food restriction and knowledge of astringency. Results: all identified their AT for basic flavors. The group with restriction was significantly more sensitive (Tb = -3.305, p = 0.001) to sweet (AU = 2 g/l) than the group without restriction (AU = 5 g/l). The detection-identification of astringency was significantly higher (t = -13.323, p = 0.000) with previous information of the name (79.31%) than without this information (19.64%), confusing or describing it as bitter taste (80.36). Conclusion: taste learning is facilitated with the performance of psychophysical measurements of chemical senses, together with training of certain theoretical concepts about taste perception and flavor denomination, because it facilitates the cognitive process for detection-identification. In addition, the process for the previous internal homeostasis of participants must be considered as their AU results vary according to the hunger/ satiety conditions prior to the psychophysical estimation

Effect of increasing lignin in isoenergetic diets at two soluble fibre levels on digestion, performance and carcass quality of growing rabbits

[EN] To assess the effect of increasing dietary lignin in isoenergetic diets at two soluble fibre (SF) levels on digestion, performance and carcass quality of growing rabbits, four diets were formulated according a 2 x 2 factorial design: low SF-low lignin (LSF/LL), low SF-high lignin (LSF/HL), high SF-low lignin (HSF/LL) and high SF-high lignin (HSF/HL). On average, in HSF diets SF was increased by 49 g/kg DM, mainly replacing starch ( - 53 g/kg DM), and in HL diets lignin was increased by 40 g/kg, mainly reducing starch (-78 g/kg DM), with increasing EE ( + 31 g/kg DM). Two hundred and sixty crossbred weaned rabbits (35 days old) were assigned to the experimental diets, individually housed and fed ad libitum until 63 days of age. Digestibility (from 49 to 53 days old), growth performance (from 35 to 63 days old), carcass quality (at 63 days old) and caecal environment (at 63 days old) were studied in 12, 65, 45 and 16 rabbits per diet, respectively. High SF diets showed higher CTTAD of fibrous fractions ( + 0.206 +/- 0.011, + 0.207 +/- 0.015, + 0.214 +/- 0.011 and + 0.167 +/- 0.015 for aNDFom, ADFom, hemicelluloses and cellulose, respectively, P < 0.001), OM ( + 0.042 +/- 0.004, P < 0.001) and GE ( + 0.055 +/- 0.005, P < 0.001), resulting in high DE content (10.6 vs. 9.30 MJ/kg DM). In contrast, CTTAD of CP was lower ( - 0.023 +/- 0.009, P = 0.013), as well as the DP content (96.9 vs. 103 g/kg DM). This dietary variation reduced the DM content of caecal digesta ( - 28 +/- 3 g/kg, P < 0.001), besides increasing its VFA concentration ( + 18.0 +/- 4.0 mmol/L, P < 0.001) and reducing its pH ( - 0.28 +/- 0.05, P < 0.001). Feed intake and LW gain decreased, with an improvement of feed to gain ratio ( -13.8 %, - 4.7 %, - 9.4 %, respectively; P < 0.001). The proportion of gastrointestinal tract was increased, with a subsequent reduction in dressing out ( + 19 +/- 2 g/kg LW and -15 +/- 2 g chilled carcass weight/kg LW, respectively, P < 0.001). High lignin diets showed lower CTTAD of OM (-0.055 +/- 0.004, P < 0.001) and GE ( - 0.034 +/- 0.005, P < 0.001) without affecting DE and DP contents. This dietary variation increased DM content of caecal digesta ( +21 +/- 3 g/kg, P < 0.001), but did not affect the other caecal digesta traits. Feed intake was higher ( + 4.9 %, P < 0.001), although differences were dependent on the growth phase and the SF level (maximum difference at 35-49 days with low SF diets, + 11.0 %, P < 0.001; minimum difference at 49-63 days with high SF diets, + 1.0 %, P = 0.689), but did not affect LW gain and consequently impaired the feed to gain ratio ( + 5.1 %, P < 0.001). No effect was observed on dressing out, but the dissectible fat proportion increased ( + 6.7 +/- 1.1 g/kg reference carcass weight, P < 0.001).Financial support was provided by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (Project AGL2006-07596).Caisin, L.; Martinez-Paredes, E.; Ródenas Martínez, L.; Moya, V.; Pascual Amorós, JJ.; Cervera Fras, MC.; Blas Ferrer, E.... (2020). Effect of increasing lignin in isoenergetic diets at two soluble fibre levels on digestion, performance and carcass quality of growing rabbits. Animal Feed Science and Technology. 262:1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2020.114396S19262Batey, I. L. (1982). Starch Analysis Using Thermostable alpha-Amylases. Starch - Stärke, 34(4), 125-128. doi:10.1002/star.19820340407Delgado, R., Nicodemus, N., Abad-Guamán, R., Sastre, J., Menoyo, D., Carabaño, R., & García, J. (2018). Effect of dietary soluble fibre and n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio on growth performance and nitrogen and energy retention efficiency in growing rabbits. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 239, 44-54. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2018.03.006Delgado, R., Menoyo, D., Abad-Guamán, R., Nicodemus, N., Carabaño, R., & García, J. (2019). Effect of dietary soluble fibre level and n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio on digestion and health in growing rabbits. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 255, 114222. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2019.114222Fernández, C., & Fraga, M. J. (1996). The effect of dietary fat inclusion on growth, carcass characteristics, and chemical composition of rabbits. Journal of Animal Science, 74(9), 2088. doi:10.2527/1996.7492088xGarcía, J., Gidenne, T., Luisa Falcao-e-Cunha, & de Blas, C. (2002). Identification of the main factors that influence caecal fermentation traits in growing rabbits. Animal Research, 51(2), 165-173. doi:10.1051/animres:2002011Gidenne, T. (2015). Dietary fibres in the nutrition of the growing rabbit and recommendations to preserve digestive health: a review. Animal, 9(2), 227-242. doi:10.1017/s1751731114002729Gidenne, T., Perez, J., Lapanouse, A., & Ségura, M. (1994). Apports de lignines et alimentation du lapin en croissance. I. Conséquences sur la digestion et le transit. Annales de Zootechnie, 43(4), 313-322. doi:10.1051/animres:19940401Gidenne, T., Arveux, P., & Madec, O. (2001). The effect of the quality of dietary lignocellulose on digestion, zootechnical performance and health of the growing rabbit. Animal Science, 73(1), 97-104. doi:10.1017/s1357729800058094Grueso, I., De Blas, J. C., Cachaldora, P., Mendez, J., Losada, B., & García-Rebollar, P. (2013). Combined effects of supplementation of diets with hops and of a substitution of starch with soluble fiber on feed efficiency and prevention of digestive disorders in rabbits. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 180(1-4), 92-100. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2013.01.009Martínez-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.2011.05.014Martínez-Vallespín, B., Martínez-Paredes, E., Ródenas, L., Moya, V. J., Cervera, C., Pascual, J. J., & Blas, E. (2013). Partial replacement of starch with acid detergent fibre and/or neutral detergent soluble fibre at two protein levels: Effects on ileal apparent digestibility and caecal environment of growing rabbits. Livestock Science, 154(1-3), 123-130. doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2013.02.012Nicodemus, N., Carabaño, R., Garcı́a, J., Méndez, J., & de Blas, C. (1999). Performance response of lactating and growing rabbits to dietary lignin content. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 80(1), 43-54. doi:10.1016/s0377-8401(99)00042-5Ocasio-Vega, C., Delgado, R., Abad-Guamán, R., Carabaño, R., Carro, M. D., Menoyo, D., & García, J. (2018). The effect of cellobiose on the health status of growing rabbits depends on the dietary level of soluble fiber. Journal of Animal Science, 96(5), 1806-1817. doi:10.1093/jas/sky106Pascual, M., Soler, M. D., Cervera, C., Pla, M., Pascual, J. J., & Blas, E. (2014). Feeding programmes based on highly-digestible fibre weaning diets: Effects on health, growth performance and carcass and meat quality in rabbits. Livestock Science, 169, 88-95. doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2014.07.007Trocino, A., García Alonso, J., Carabaño, R., & Xiccato, G. (2013). A meta-analysis on the role of soluble fibre in diets for growing rabbits. World Rabbit Science, 21(1). doi:10.4995/wrs.2013.1285Trocino, A., Fragkiadakis, M., Majolini, D., Tazzoli, M., Radaelli, G., & Xiccato, G. (2013). Soluble fibre, starch and protein level in diets for growing rabbits: Effects on digestive efficiency and productive traits. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 180(1-4), 73-82. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2013.01.007Van 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)78551-2Xiccato, G., Trocino, A., Majolini, D., Fragkiadakis, M., & Tazzoli, M. (2011). Effect of decreasing dietary protein level and replacing starch with soluble fibre on digestive physiology and performance of growing rabbits. Animal, 5(8), 1179-1187. doi:10.1017/s175173111100024

Nutritive value of distillers dried grains with solubles from barley, corn and wheat for growing rabbits

The authors acknowledge Juan Carlos Moreno for his technical support and the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (Project AGL2014-53405-C2-1-P) for the economic support to conduct this study.Alagon, G.; Arce-Cabrera, ON.; Martinez-Paredes, E.; Ródenas Martínez, L.; Moya, V.; Blas Ferrer, E.; Cervera Fras, MC.... (2016). Nutritive value of distillers dried grains with solubles from barley, corn and wheat for growing rabbits. Animal Feed Science and Technology. 222:217-226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2016.10.024S21722622

Effects of rearing feeding programme on the young rabbit females’ behaviour and welfare indicators

[EN] Restriction of young rabbit females during rearing is a widespread management technique that could have negative consequences on their welfare and behaviour. In the present work, a total of 24 young rabbit females aged 9 wk were used to evaluate 3 rearing feeding programmes until first parturition: CAL, fed ad libitum with a control diet [C: 11.0 MJ digestible energy (DE) and 114 g digestible protein (DP) per kg dry matter (DM)]; CR, receiving the C diet restricted (140 g/d) from 12 wk of age; and F, fed ad libitum with a low energy/high fibre diet [F: 8.7 MJ DE and 88 g DP per kg DM]. F females presented lower body weight than CAL and CR females at week 18 (–0.4 kg and –0.2 kg; P<0.05), but differences in body weight disappeared at parturition. Feeding programme affected the daily feed intake of young females during rearing and gestation periods (on av. of 2 periods: 140, 127 and 179 g DM/d, for CAL, CR and F females, respectively; P<0.001). Blood levels of glucose and insulin decreased with the age of rabbits (from 97 to 73 mg/dL for glucose and from 11 to 6 μUI/mL for insulin at 13 and 20 wk, respectively; P<0.001). Concentration of non-esterified fatty acids was higher in the blood of CAL females (+0.13 mmol/L compared to F; P<0.05), while corticosterone was higher in F females (+0.7 μg/dL compared to CAL; P<0.05). The type of feeding schedule affected the lying still and eating behaviour (P<0.01) of CR females, especially before and after feeding supply, as well as their behavioural stressed indicators (stereotypies; P<0.01), which were more frequent in CR females before feeding supply at 20 weeks of age. Therefore, ad libitum use of a low energy/high fibre diet is an adequate feeding programme for young rabbit females, which does not alter their behavioural patterns.The authors thank the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (Projects AGL2006-07596 and AGL2014-53405-C2-1-P) for the economic support to conduct this study.Martínez Paredes, EM.; Ródenas Martínez, L.; Pascual Amorós, JJ.; Blas Ferrer, E.; Brecchia, G.; Boiti, C.; Cervera Fras, MC. (2015). Effects of rearing feeding programme on the young rabbit females’ behaviour and welfare indicators. World Rabbit Science. 23(3):197-205. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2015.3987SWORD19720523