World Rabbit Science

Dietary inclusion of fermented ginger straw effect on the growth performance, gastrointestinal tract development and caecal fermentation of fattening rabbits

Hai Tao Sun — 2022-12-29

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of fermented ginger straw on the growth performance, gastrointestinal tract development and caecal fermentation of fattening rabbits. A total of 160 45-d-old Laiwu black rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups and fed 0% (Control), 5, 10 or 15% fermented ginger straw in their diet as a replacement for peanut straw powder. The trial lasted for 7 d of adaptation and 43 d for testing. Growth performance was recorded from 52 to 95 d of age (n=5 per treatment with 30 rabbits, 3 males and 3 females per replicate), TTAD of nutrients from 91 to 95 d of age, and gastrointestinal tract development, caecum fermentation and carcass traits were determined at 95 d of age (n=5 per treatment with 10 rabbits, 1 males and 1 females in per replicate).The results showed that the average daily gain and final body weight in the experimental groups (5, 10 and 15% fermented ginger straw) were higher than in the control group (P<0.05). However, the average daily feed intake in the 15% group was higher than in the other groups, while the total tract apparent digestibility of crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre were lower than in the control group (P<0.05), and the relative weights of the stomach, small intestine and caecum content in the 15% substitution group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). In addition, the thickness of the muscle layer in the 15% substitution group was higher than that in the other groups (P<0.05). Moreover, pH and total volatile fatty acids concentration in the caecal content were similar among the 4 groups (P>0.05). The current work shows that fermented ginger straw could be used as roughage material in fattening rabbit production up to a dietary dose of 10%.

Can copper amino acid chelates reduce the physiological strain of growing rabbits under summer conditions?

Fesal Goodb — 2022-12-29

This study was conducted at the Poultry Research Centre, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Egypt, during the summer season (July and August months) 2018. For five weeks, until 63 d of age, a total number of 140 weaned V line rabbits were randomly distributed into seven groups of 20 rabbits each. Rabbits of groups 2 and 3 were fed basal diet plus copper sulphate (100 and 200 mg Cu-Sul/kg, respectively). Groups 4 and 5 were fed basal diet plus copper methionine (100 and 200 mg Cu-Meth/kg, respectively) and groups 6 and 7 were fed basal diet plus copper glycine (100 and 200 mg Cu-Gly/kg, respectively), while the first group was fed basal diet only as control. Rabbits fed diet supplemented with higher level (200 mg/kg) of Cu-Meth or Cu-Gly chelates had significantly higher body weight and daily body weight gain (P<0.05) compared to those fed diets supplemented with both levels of Cu-Sul. Rabbits fed diets supplemented with Cu-Meth or Cu-Gly chelates had significantly increased (P<0.05) red blood cells, lymphocyte, high-density lipoprotein and Cu values in blood. Within the studied Cu sources, serum total lipids values of rabbits were significantly lower than in the control group. However, serum total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were higher by both organic chelates studied than other groups. In general, copper supplementation improves productive performance and physiological status under summer conditions.

Antimicrobials in a rabbit semen extender: effects on reproduction

Charlène Rouillon — 2022-12-29

The use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics was legally restricted by the European Commission in March 2019. Since the extender for rabbit semen Galap® contained this antibiotic, it became necessary to modify it. The purpose of this study was to search for another molecule, based on its antimicrobial activity and also on the conservation, motility and fertility of semen diluted with the new extender. Several bacterial strains were isolated from 10 poor-quality ejaculates, including Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus spp. They were then tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Out of 15 antibiotics evaluated, gentamicin was the one targeting such bacteria. In vivo tests were then carried out to assess the effects of this antibiotic change on sperm parameters. Up to 26 pools of good quality semen (total motility >70%) were diluted in original Galap® or in this extender with gentamicin. Ejaculates were analysed on the day (D) of collection and up to 6 d of storage at +17°C. After 24 h storage, the motility in the new extender was reduced by 7.7% compared to the original; this decrease did not worsen by storing. After 6 d of storage, no difference between the two media was detected. A total of 360 females were then inseminated with pools of 4 to 5 good quality semen diluted 1:10 in both extenders, following the routine protocol of rabbit semen processing centres. There was no difference in female fertility or prolificacy between both formulations. In conclusion, these preliminary results suggest that the addition of gentamicin to this extender is useful and also has no adverse effect on fertility or prolificacy.

Comparative evaluation of solvent extracts of Azanza garckeana fruit pulp on hormonal profiles, spermiogram and antioxidant activities in rabbit bucks

Joy Iyojo Itodo — 2022-12-29

The study investigated the comparative influence of different extraction solvents on spermiogram, hormonal profiles and antioxidant activities in rabbit bucks. Adult New Zealand White rabbit bucks (n=18), with average live weight of 1.2±0.03 kg and aged 10-18 mo were fed ad libitum on a commercial diet. They were administered five different Azanza garckeana (AG) fruit pulp extracts at 500 mg/kg via oral gavage, comprising control group (Con), crude (AG Cr), methanol (AG M), n-hexane (AG H), ethyl acetate (AG E) and aqueous (AG AQ) for four weeks. The extracts improved the spermiogram in rabbit bucks administered methanol (AG M) and the reaction time was significantly (P<0.05) lower in AG E group when compared to other groups. The ejaculate volume, sperm motility, pH and sperm concentration were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the AG M group when compared to the other groups. There was a significant (P<0.05) increase in concentrations of blood testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone in methanol extract group (AG M). While the glutathione and malondialdehyde concentrations were (P<0.05) lower, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the groups administered methanol extract (AG M). It was concluded that AG M extracts of AG pulp elicited the best response in spermiogram, hormonal concentrations and antioxidant activities in New Zealand White rabbit bucks. Its use as the extraction solvent is recommended.

Changes of oxidant-antioxidant parameters in small intestines from rabbits infected with E. intestinalis and E. magna

Yun Xiao Zhou — 2022-12-29

Rabbit coccidiosis is a very serious disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria, which increases the production rate of free radicals, especially reactive oxygen species. When the generation of free radicals exceeds the scavenging capacity of the body’s antioxidant system, the oxidant-antioxidant balance is broken, resulting in oxidative stress. This study was designed to investigate the effect on the oxidant-antioxidant status of rabbits infected with E. intestinalis and E. magna. To this end, eighteen 30-d-old weaned rabbits were randomly allocated into three groups as follows: the E. intestinalis infection group with 3×10³ sporulated oocysts of E. intestinalis, the E. magna infection group with 20×10³ sporulated oocysts of E. magna, and the uninfected control group. We measured the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) in rabbits’ small intestinal tissues (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) of the three groups
on day 8. The results showed that CAT activity and MDA levels significantly increased, while the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and T-AOC decreased after E. intestinalis and E. magna infection. Besides, the jejunum and ileum were particularly damaged in the rabbits. It is concluded that the pathological oxidative stress occurs during the E. intestinalis and E. magna infection process and the body’s oxidant-antioxidant balance is disrupted.

Factors affecting French rabbit farmers’ adoption of pro-welfare innovations

Pierre Chiron — 2022-12-29

Consumers are increasingly animal welfare-conscious and critical of indoor caged housing systems such as those used in rabbit farming, and Europe has committed to legislate a ban on caged animal farming. Research has evidenced several technical and economic drivers of system change or lock-in in the livestock sector. Here we study determinants, motivations and/or resistance to adoption of pro-welfare practices among French rabbit farmers. First, we held 31 exploratory interviews with rabbit farmers and then performed a thematic analysis on the interview transcripts. We then assessed French rabbit farmers’ receptivity to change, using questionnaires containing 83 variables addressing receptivity to change, technico-economic characterisation of the farms, professional situations, and the personal and professional life of the rabbit farmers. Receptivity to change was evaluated through two synthetic variables summarising pro-change practices (changes already made on-farm to housing, management, feeding, etc.) and interest in innovation (receptiveness to novelty and relationship with innovation) graded on a 3-point scale (low, moderate, high). We analysed effects of technico-economic and sociodemographic variables (social attributes, internal and external motivations) on interest in innovation and pro-change practices using Chi-square tests and Cramer’s V. We collected 78 full questionnaires, i.e. covering 10% of the French population of professional rabbit farmers. Results showed a link between interest in innovation and pro-change practices (P<0.001). Sociodemographic variables (33%, 21/63; P<0.05) rather than technico-economic variables (5%, 1/19; P<0.05) were linked to receptivity to change. Pro-change practices were more influenced by the variables capturing internal motivations (6/16, economic, technical, work facilitation, materialise the farmer’s interests) than external motivations (3/21, societal incentives, family group or social environment). The weight of the sociodemographic variables suggests that transition support systems should be thought out in terms of farmer attributes.