Dietary Fibres: Their Analysis in Animal Feeding, and Their Role in Rabbit Nutrition and Health

Two centuries ago Heinrich Einhof developed the so-called Weende method (crude fibre), to first deals with the fibre content of the feeds for ruminants, and proposes to isolate a residue called the "crude fibre". Then, dietary fibre concepts evolve and differ in animal feeding compared to human nutrition and health. Animal nutritionists deal with various fibre sources, often from whole plants (forages, by products of seeds processing), and recover a larger range of polysaccharidic components, including other polymers, such polyphenolic (lignins, tannins) or polylipidic compounds (cutins). Dietary fibres are generally defined as polysaccharides and associated substances resistant to mammal enzyme digestion and absorption that can be partially or totally fermented in the gut. However, today this topic is still subjected to very active research, because of the complexity of the physical structure and chemical composition of the plant cell walls, and in the wide and different physiological effects of these different constituents. The importance of dietary fibre in animal feeding is due to its influence on rate of passage, mucosa functionality and its role as substrate for gut microbes performances and digestive health. This review will describe the definition and different structure of fibres and cell wall constituents and their analytical methods.   Key words: Dietary fibre, analysis, rabbit, nutrition, healt

Digestive anatomy and impact of dietary fibre on performances of the growing grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus)

The grasscutter is a rodent herbivore recently domesticated in several countries of sub-Saharan Africa for meat production. However, the development of this production to a rational and more productive model needs a better knowledge of the digestive physiology of this animal. This work aimed to study the digestive anatomy of the growing grasscutter and determine the impact of dietary fibre on growth rate and health

Nutritive value of sun-dried Pueraria Phaseoloides for rabbits under tropical conditions

[EN] The nutritive value of Pueraria phaseoloides (whole plant, full fruit stage, sun-dried) for the growing rabbit was studied by comparing diets containing an increasing incorporation of Pueraria (0 to 40%) in substitution to a basal mixture. The crude protein (CP) concentration of Pueraria was 17.6 % dry matter (DM), while neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre were 51 and 39%, respectively. A basal diet was formulated (51.1% NDF and 19.9% CP, on DM basis) and pelleted. Another 2 diets were obtained through substitution of 20 and 40% of basal diet by Pueraria. Faecal digestibility was measured between 42 and 46 d of age on 12 young rabbits per diet, fed ad libitum since weaning (35 d, 754±108 g). The substitution of 40% of basal diet by Pueraria reduced the digestibility of organic matter, crude protein and NDF from 69 to 55%, 80 to 68%, and 56 to 43%, (P<0.01), respectively. The digestible energy obtained by regression for sun-dried Pueraria was 3.81±0.38 MJ/kg DM, and the digestible protein content of Pueraria was 41.7±6.7 g/kg DM.Akoutey, A.; Kpodekon, MT.; Bannelier, C.; Gidenne, T. (2012). Nutritive value of sun-dried Pueraria Phaseoloides for rabbits under tropical conditions. World Rabbit Science. 20(4):209-213. doi:10.4995/wrs.2012.1230SWORD20921320

Fattening rabbits with simplified feed made from Sulla flexuosa hay, fig-tree leaves and wheat bran

Fattening rabbits with simplified feed made from Sulla flexuosa hay, fig-tree leaves and wheat bran. 10. International Symposium on the Nutrition of Herbivores (ISNH 2018

Nutritive Value of Three-Stage Olive Cake (Olea europaea L.) for Growing Rabbit

Nutritive Value of Three-Stage Olive Cake (Olea europaea L.) for Growing Rabbit. 4. International Conference on Animal nutrition and disease

Testing the efficacy of medium chain fatty acids against rabbit colibacillosis

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) represents a major cause of lethal diarrhea in young mammals. Although the pathogenicity mechanisms of EPEC are now well understood, the intrinsic and environmental factors that control the expression of EPEC virulence remain largely unknown. In the rabbit, suckling reduces pups’ sensitivity to EPEC infection. Hence, we have hypothesized that uncharacterized factors present in doemilkmay mediate this protection. Medium chain fatty acids (MCFA), known to possess antimicrobial properties, are highly abundant in doe milk.We demonstrate that caprylic acid exhibits a clear bacteriostatic effect in vitro against the rabbit EPEC strain E22 (O103:H2:K-), in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo, the dietary inclusion of triglycerides of MCFA did not however reduce the sensitivity of young rabbits challenged with this EPEC strain. The mortality and fecal excretion of EPEC were not reduced, and the bacterial adhesion to ileum was not inhibited. Amount of MCFA reaching the ileal level might have been too low and/or their association to other milk antimicrobials may have been required to observe a positive effect on disease evolution in a context of a highly virulent challenge

Feed incorporation of dehydrated sainfoin: effects on health and performances of does and growing rabbits

[EN] The performance and health of does and growing rabbits were compared over three consecutive reproductive cycles for three groups of 20 nulliparous does and their litters (DS0, DS13, DS26) fed isonutritive feeds containing 0, 13 or 26% dehydrated sainfoin (DS, Perly cultivar). Feed intake, live weight and fertility of does were not affected by DS feed incorporation. The number of live kits at birth increased linearly with increasing DS incorporation (+1.5 from DS0 to DS26, P=0.042) and the stillborn rate tended to linearly decrease in groups fed DS (16.6 vs. 10.4%, P=0.086). Increasing the level of DS in feeds had no impact on the growth of the kits before weaning, but led to a linear reduction in the post-weaning growth rate (P<0.01, 2 for 26% DS), whereas the feed conversion ratio increased linearly with DS incorporation (P<0.01, 2.91 vs. 2.98, resp. for DS0 and DS26). No effect of DS feed incorporation was detectable on doe and kit mortality rates. Excretion of coccidia by both does and growing rabbits was not affected by DS incorporation. For 70 d old rabbits, the levels of immunoglobulins A and G and of white blood cells were not significantly different between groups and high levels of IgG (average: 8.1 mg/mL) were recorded, suggesting a coccidia infestation. Overall doe mortality remained under 5% and was not affected by the reproductive cycle (P=0.24). The stillborn rate decreased from 18 to 6%, (P<0.01) from cycle 1 to 2, and the number of live rabbits at birth increased from 8.0 to 10.7 (P<0.01). Kit mortality remained low before weaning (under 2.5%), and very low after weaning (<1%). Excretion of coccidia by does decreased from cycle 1 to cycle 3, whereas excretions by growing rabbits remained stable.The authors thank Arrivé-Bellanné, Multifolia and ANRT for funding this project and the doctoral programme (ANRT, CIFRE Programme) funding of Cécile Gayrard. The authors are grateful to the INRAE Pectoul team for rabbit breeding and data collection. The authors thank Manon Despeyroux and Carole Bannelier for their help with the laboratory analyses.Gayrard, C.; Bretaudeau, A.; Gombault, P.; Hoste, H.; Gidenne, T. (2022). Feed incorporation of dehydrated sainfoin: effects on health and performances of does and growing rabbits. World Rabbit Science. 30(2):107-118. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2022.16874OJS10711830

Milk digestion in the young rabbit: methodology and first results

[EN] This study aims to determine the digestibility of milk by the young rabbit (21-25 d old), taking into account the increment of digesta content and urine excretion. Nineteen litters of 9 young rabbits 21 to 25 d old were used: 12 litters (S group) fed exclusively with milk using controlled suckling, and 7 litters (Control group) with free suckling and access to the pelleted feed of the doe. The faecal digestibility of milk dry matter (DM) was measured between 21 and 25 d of age, for S litters housed from 15 d of age in a metabolism cage separately from their mother. Between 21 and 25 d, the milk intake, faeces and urine excretion were controlled daily, and the mean increment in digesta content was measured by comparing digesta weight of the whole tract at 21 and 25 d of age (one kit per litter). The increment in digesta content from 21 to 25 d averaged 77% (+8.5 g), sourcing mainly from stomach and caecum contents increase (+57 and +120% respectively). The mean increase for the dry content of the gut (from 21 to 25 d) was 1.75 g DM/kit, and was considered as non-digested to calculate the digestibility coefficient of the milk. The milk intake averaged 30 g/d/kit (7.9 g DM/d kit). No faecal excretion was recorded between 21 and 25 d. From the milk intake and increment in digesta content, the corrected digestibility of the milk dry matter reached 94% (minimum=92.9%, maximum=95.6%). The daily urine excretion averaged 5.1 mL/kit, corresponding to 1.2 g DM/kit. Therefore, the corrected DM retention coefficient of the milk was 79.5%. The quantity of nitrogen excreted in urine was low (0.06 g/d kits), thus the corrected nitrogen retention coefficient for milk reached 82% and the nitrogen retained (corrected) reached 0.44 g/d kit. Accordingly, the amount in metabolisable protein for the milk was 90 g/kg (fresh). The corrected energy retention coefficient was estimated to 95.8%, for a crude energy concentration estimated at 28.14 MJ/kg DM for the milk. Thus, the energy retained (corrected) reached 223 kJ/d kit and the content in metabolisable energy for the milk was 26.94 MJ/kg DM.The authors thank INRA PHASE division for the financial support. The authors would also like to thank the technicians involved in the experiment at the INRA UE PECTOUL (Patrick Aymard, Jacques De Dapper & Jean De Dapper) and in the GenPhySE laboratory (Véronique Tartié).Gidenne, TN.; Bannelier, C.; Gallois, M.; Segura, M.; Lambrecht, V. (2018). Milk digestion in the young rabbit: methodology and first results. World Rabbit Science. 26(4):269-276. doi:10.4995/wrs.2018.10061SWORD269276264Alstin F., Nilsson M. 1990. The Soxtec®hydrolysis system improves the official methods for determining total fat content. Ind. Alim. Agric., 107: 1271-1274.Carabaño R., Piquer J., Menoyo D., Badiola I. 2010. The digestive system of the rabbit, In: De Blas C., Wiseman J. (Eds.), Nutrition of the rabbit, CABI; Wallingford; UK, pp. 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781845936693.0001EGRAN. 2001. Technical note: Attempts to harmonise chemical analyses of feeds and faeces, for rabbit feed evaluation. World Rabbit Sci., 9: 57-64. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2001.446Gallois M., Gidenne T., Fortun-Lamote F., Le Hueron-Luron I., Lallès J.P. 2005. An early stimulation of solid feed intake slightly influences the morphological gut maturation in the rabbit. Reprod. Nutr. Develop., 45: 109-122. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731108001730Gallois M., Fortun-Lamothe L., Michelan A., Gidenne T. 2008. Adaptability of the digestive function according to age at weaning in the rabbit: II. Effect on nutrient digestion in the small intestine and in the whole digestive tract. Animal, 2: 536-547. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731108001730Gidenne T., Debray L., Fortun-Lamothe L., Le Huerou-Luron I. 2007. Maturation of the intestinal digestion and of microbial activity in the young rabbit: Impact of the dietary fibre:starch ratio. Comp. Bioch. Physiol. - Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 148: 834-844. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2007.08.025Gidenne T., Lebas F., Savietto D., Dorchies P., Duperray J., Davoust C., Fortun-Lamothe L. 2015. Nutrition et alimentation, In: Gidenne T. (Ed.), Le lapin. De la biologie à l'élevage, Quae éditions, pp. 152-196.Lebas, F. 1971. Composition chimique du lait de lapine évolution au cours de la traite et en fonction du stade de lactation. Ann. Zootech., 20: 185-191. https://doi.org/10.1051/animres:19710205Maertens L., Lebas F., Szendrő Zs. 2006. Rabbit milk: a review of quantity, quality and non-dietary affecting factors. World Rabbit Sci., 14: 205-203. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2006.565Orengo J., Gidenne T. 2007. Feeding behaviour and caecotrophy in the young rabbit before weaning: An approach by analysing the digestive contents. App. Anim. Behav. Sci., 102: 106-118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2006.03.010Parigi Bini R., Cesselli P. 1976. Estimate of energy excreted in urine by growing rabbits. In: 1st World Rabbit Congress, Dijon, France, Comm. 20, 6.Parigi Bini R., Xiccato G., Cinetto M., Dalle Zotte A. 1991. Digestive efficiency and energy and protein retention in suckling and weanling rabbits. Zootec. Nutr. Anim., 17: 167-180.Savietto D., Cervera C., Blas E., Baselga M., Larsen T., Friggens N.C., Pascual J.J. 2014. Environmental sensitivity differs between rabbit lines selected for reproductive intensity and longevity. Animal, 7: 1969-1977. https://doi.org/10.1017/S175173111300178XUbilla E., Rebollar P.G., Pazo D., Esquifino A., Alvariño J.M.R. 2000. Effects of doe-litter separation on endocrinological and productivity variables in lactating rabbits. Livest. Prod. Sci., 67: 67-74. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0301-6226(00)00196-2Udert K.M., Larsen T.A., Biebow M., Gujer W.P. 2003. Urea hydrolysis and precipitation dynamics in a urinecollecting system. Water Res., 37: 2571-2582. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0043-1354(03)00065-4Zhang Y.K., Cui H.X., Sun D.F., Liu L.H., Xu X.R. 2018. Effects of doe-litter separation on intestinal bacteria, immune response and morphology of suckling rabbits. World Rabbit Sci., 26: 71-79. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2018.591

NUTRITIVE VALUE OF SUN-DRIED SULLA (HEDYSARUM FLEXUOSUM) AND ITS EFFECT ON PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWING RABBITS

[EN] The nutritive value and potential use of sundried sulla hay (Hedysarum flexuosum, g/kg as feed: 885 dry matter, 438 neutral detergent fibre (NDF), 337 acid detergent fibre (ADF), 80 acid detergent lignin and 147 crude protein (CP) for growing rabbits was studied by comparing three diets (regression method) containing an increasing inclusion rate of sulla hay (S): 0% (control, S0), 15 % (S15) and 30% (S30) in substitution for control diet (294 g NDF and 179 g CP/ kg). Three groups of 30 rabbits (individually caged) were fed ad libitum the three diets from weaning (35 d, mean weight: 572 ± 93g) to 84 d of age. Faecal digestibility of the diets was measured between 42 and 46 days of age on 10 rabbits per group. The digestible energy (DE) concentration of sulla hay estimated by regression was 8.96±0.57 MJ/kg DM, thus 7% higher than standard alfalfa meal, which would account for its high NDF digestibility (54.9%). Digestibility of crude sulla protein was estimated at 42.8%, corresponding to a digestible crude protein concentration of 71.1±8.9 g/kg DM. Even at a high incorporation rate in the feed (30%), sulla hay did not cause adverse effects on the animal growth (mean 36.0 g/d), feed intake (mean 119 g/d) or health. Feed conversion was better for a moderate rate of sulla inclusion in the diet (about 15%) than for a higher inclusion rate (3.14 vs. 3.36, P < 0.001). Health status and slaughter traits were not affected by the sulla incorporation rate. Sun-dried sulla hay (Hedysarum flexuosum) could thus be considered a good fibre source for the rabbit as a substitute for alfalfa meal.The authors thank Yazid Louchami who placed his rabbitry at our disposal and the assistance he provided us during the follow-up of the experiment, Farid Djellal and Hanachi Zemihi for their assistance in the experimental trial and Muriel Segura for her help in biochemical analyses (INRA, UMR 1289 TANDEM, CastanetTolosan, France). This work was partially financed by the CMEP project (05 MDU 667).Kadi, SA.; Guermah, H.; Bannelier, C.; Berchiche, M.; Gidenne, T. (2011). NUTRITIVE VALUE OF SUN-DRIED SULLA (HEDYSARUM FLEXUOSUM) AND ITS EFFECT ON PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWING RABBITS. World Rabbit Science. 19(3):151-159. doi:10.4995/wrs.2011.848SWORD15115919

Use of dehydrated sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) in rabbit feeding. 2 - Effects of a high dietary incorporation on performance and health of does and growing rabbits, under a sub-optimal breeding commercial environment

[EN] The effects of a high dietary (26%) incorporation of dehydrated sainfoin (DS) (Perly cultivar) on the performance and health of reproductive does and growing rabbits were analysed in a sub-optimal professional breeding environment (presenting previous coccidiosis), and over two non-consecutive reproductive cycles (2 replicates). Performance and health of does and growing rabbits were compared for 2 groups of 194 does and associated litters, when fed isonutritive feeds containing either 0 or 26% DS (DS0 and DS26 groups). Dietary DS incorporation had no effect on doe live weight, fertility rate, mortality, culling rate and doe coccidia excretion levels (P&gt;0.05). In replicate 1, kit growth before weaning was similar among the two groups, but was 12% lower for the DS26 group in the 2nd replicate (significant interaction). Similarly, a significant interaction was detected between the effect of the diet and the replicate for the mortality rate of kits before weaning, i.e. a higher mortality was detected for DS26 (3.3 vs. 1.8%) in replicate 1, while in replicate 2 it was lower (2.1 vs. 4.4%). After weaning, the post-weaning growth rate was improved by 4% (P=0.02) for the DS26 group, while the mortality rate decreased (7.1 vs. 4.5%, P&lt;0.001). Coccidia excretions of growing rabbits were not affected by dietary sainfoin or by replicates. A high incorporation of DS (26%) should be recommended after weaning to improve the performance of growing rabbits without impact on reproducing does.Arrivé-Bellanné, Multifolia and ANRT funding this project and the doctoral programme (ANRT, CIFRE Programme)Gayrard, C.; Bretaudeau, A.; Gombault, P.; Hoste, H.; Gidenne, TN. (2024). Use of dehydrated sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) in rabbit feeding. 2 - Effects of a high dietary incorporation on performance and health of does and growing rabbits, under a sub-optimal breeding commercial environment. World Rabbit Science. 32(1):11-20. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2024.19848112032