World Rabbit Science - Vol. 34 (1)- 2026
Tabla de contenidos
Reproduction
Genetics
Nutrition
Management
Short Communications
URI permanente para esta colecciónhttps://riunet.upv.es/handle/10251/234111
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Item type: Artículo , Access status: Abierto , DKK4 as a novel candidate marker for Zhexi Angora rabbit wool quality(Universitat Politècnica de València, 2026-03-31) Zhao, Bohao; Yu, Yongqi; Wang, Miaocheng; Chen, Ziyang; Li, Rongrong; Chen, Yang; Wu, Xinsheng[EN] Wool quality is an important economic trait in Angora rabbits, and is influenced by the growth and development of hair follicles (HFs). This study investigates the role of Dickkopf-related protein 4 (DKK4) on the regulation of wool quality. Overexpression and knockdown of DKK4 in dermal papilla cells (DPCs) showed that DKK4 modulated genes associated with HF growth and development, and DKK4 could also inhibit the proliferation of DPCs. Investigation of the relationships between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DKK4 and wool quality traits (fibre diameters and lengths of fine and coarse wool, coarse wool percentage) identified four SNPs located in the exons of DKK4 in 108 Zhexi Angora rabbits. Of these, C2351T and C2405G conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and two identified haplotypes showed linkage disequilibrium. Analysis of correlations between the three haplotype combinations and wool quality showed that the mutant haplotype combination TT/GG was associated with significantly higher fibre diameters of fine wool compared with the CC/CC and CT/CG haplotype combinations. Bioinformatics analysis showed that DKK4 encoded a 222-amino acid protein that was both unstable and hydrophilic. The non-synonymous C2351T and C2405G mutations had no effect on the DKK4 protein structure. In conclusion, the findings provide a theoretical basis for using DKK4 as a potential molecular marker for the selection of wool fibre diameter traits in Angora rabbits.Item type: Artículo , Access status: Abierto , Short communication: Can proAKAP4 be used as a predictor of rabbit sperm freezability?(2026-03-31) Vozaf, Jakub; Svoradová, Andrea; Ondruška, Lubomír; Baláži, Andrej; Chrenek, Peter; Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport, República Eslovaca; Slovak Research and Development Agency; Slovak Grant Agency for Science[EN] This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of proAKAP4 a structural protein associated with flagellar integrity as a potential biomarker for predicting sperm quality after thawing, in the context of establishing a gene bank for Slovak national rabbit breeds. A total of 48 samples from 8 males of the Chrabran rabbit breed were collected and analysed. ProAKAP4 concentration was measured using ELISA (Rabbit 4MID Kit) in fresh ejaculates prior to cryopreservation. Native and post-thaw sperm quality was assessed via computer-assisted sperm analysis, focusing on total (TM) and progressive (PM) motility, as well as secondary motility parameters. To support motility-based findings, flow cytometry was additionally applied, employing DRAQ7, YO-PRO-1, Caspase 3/7, and FITC-PNA to evaluate sperm viability, apoptotic activity and acrosomal integrity. ProAKAP4 concentration in fresh semen showed a moderate negative correlation with post-thaw motility traits (r= 0.67 for % TM after freezing and thawing (F/T); r= 0.59 for % PM F/T). These findings suggest that proAKAP4 may hold potential as a predictor of sperm freezability in rabbits, but its relationship to post-thaw quality appears to differ from that observed in other species. The recorded moderate negative correlation implies a species-specific mechanism, possibly linked to differences in sperm structure or response to cryostress. Further research is needed to clarify the functional role of proAKAP4 in rabbit sperm preservation.Item type: Artículo , Access status: Abierto , In vitro caecal fermentation and volatile fatty acids production from sugars in rabbits(Universitat Politècnica de València, 2026-03-31) Rezar, Vida; Kermauner, Ajda; Andrej Lavrenčič[EN] The aim of this study was to evaluate the fermentability of selected sugar substrates using an in vitro gas production test and volatile fatty acid (VFA) analysis with a caecum inoculum from rabbits. The incubated substrates are glucose, fructose, sucrose, molasses and Molkolac® (high lactose content). In addition to determining the gas production of selected substrates, the VFA concentration was also determined after 8 h of incubation in the inoculum prepared from the caecal content of the rabbit. The gas production kinetics parameters were estimated using the Gompertz model and the maximum fermentation rate (MFR), time of maximum fermentation rate (TMFR), lag phase (Lag), amount of gas produced within 8 h (GAS8), maximum fermentation rate within 8 hours (MFR8), total amount of VFA, proportions of each VFA and the ratio between each VFA were determined. Sucrose and molasses yielded the highest gas and VFA production, with molasses showing a slower but intense early fermentation phase. Molkolac exhibited the lowest fermentability. Fermentation of sucrose and glucose was associated with a higher butyrate content, while molasses and Molkolac led to a higher acetate content. Although monosaccharides are normally absorbed in the small intestine, the results of this study confirm that if some sugars, particularly glucose, sucrose, and to a lesser extent fructose, reach the rabbit caecum, they can undergo intense fermentation comparable only to that of sugar beet pulp. In contrast, molasses and lactose (Molkolac) showed lower fermentation efficiency (lower total gas production), with molasses still making a notable contribution due to its rapid onset of fermentation, while lactose had minimal effects.Item type: Artículo , Access status: Abierto , Effect of nanomoringa and nanocurcumin supplementation on reproductive performance and antioxidant status of rabbit bucks(Universitat Politècnica de València, 2026-03-31) G. Abdelkhalek, Khlood G.; Elnady, Ismail A.; Aboelmaaty, Amal M.; Youssef, Fady S.; Mohamed, Mohamed F.; Ghallab, Abdelraouf M.; Abou-Ahmed, Mostafa M.[EN] Recently, the use of phytotherapy has gained growing interest as a natural enhancer of male fertility in rabbits. In particular, Moringa oleifera and Curcuma longa (curcumin) are rich in antioxidants and bioactive compounds that may support reproductive performance. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the potential effect of daily oral supplementation of nano-formulated moringa and curcumin on improving semen quality (including fresh, chilled and frozen semen), testosterone levels in both serum and seminal plasma, antioxidants status and lipid peroxidation, and fertilising ability in rabbit bucks. Thirty mature male New Zealand White rabbits (aged 6-7 mo) were randomly allocated into three groups (10 bucks in each): G1(control group), G2 (nanocurcumin group; received 15 mg/buck), G3 (nanomoringa group; received 30 mg/ buck). All bucks were orally supplemented with the respective treatments daily for 10 wk. In addition, 120 multiparous female rabbits were also divided into three groups, each corresponding to one of the male groups, with 40 females per group. Twenty were inseminated with chilled semen and the other twenty were inseminated with frozen semen from the same male group. Semen samples were collected once at fortnightly intervals for the 10-wk period to assess semen quality and antioxidant status, and serum testosterone levels were measured at the same intervals. The results indicated highly significant (P<0.0001) improvements in fresh semen parameters, including semen volume (0.45 vs. 0.59 and 0.57 mL, for G1, G2 and G3, respectively), mass motility and progressive motility, sperm count and total sperm output/ejaculate in both treated groups compared to the control. For instance, sperm count nearly doubled (293 vs. 495 and 512×106/mL) and membrane integrity improved by approximately 30%. Both treatments also significantly (P<0.05) elevated testosterone levels in serum and seminal plasma compared to the control group. Fertilising ability using chilled or frozen semen was enhanced in the treated groups, along with improved antioxidant status. Moreover, both treatments significantly (P<0.0001) reduced abnormal sperm morphology and malondialdehyde concentration in semen. Based on these findings, daily oral administration of nanocurcumin (15 mg/buck) and nanomoringa (30 mg/buck) for 10 wk appears to be a promising strategy for enhancing fertility in rabbit bucks (pregnancy rate, kindling rate, total born/doe), primarily through antioxidant-mediated improvements in testicular and seminal functions, providing the first evidence of their innovative potential as reproductive nano-nutraceuticals.Item type: Artículo , Access status: Abierto , Characterization of Saudi native rabbit breeds: utilization, development and productive performance a review(Universitat Politècnica de València, 2026-03-31) Fathi, Moataz; Abdelsalam, Magdy; Al-Homidan, Ibrahim; Rayan, Gamal; Elzarei, Mohamed; Abou-Emera, Osama; Deanship of Scientific Research, King Faisal University[EN] Commercial rabbit farming is considered a good business, with low investments and high outcomes in many countries. In general, rabbits are raised either to produce a delicious white meat or to utilize their fur in various manufacturing processes. However, rabbits are unable to sweat, as they do not have sweat glands. To regulate their body temperature, they use their ears and panting behaviour. Unfortunately, rabbit production deteriorates when the weather is hot. Breeders in many developing countries, especially those suffering from heat stress, are using crossbreeding between rabbit breeds and lines to produce genetic combinations (crossbreds) considering the advantage of heterosis. In 2005, a national project was funded by Abdel Aziz city for science and technology at Qassim University aimed at producing improved synthetic rabbit lines to distribute to stakeholders. A genetic improvement programme was adopted to synthesize new lines of rabbits adapted to heat stress resulting from crossing between Saudi breed (Jabali) and a Spanish line (V-line). Numerous studies conducted on different rabbit populations raised in hot weather have proved that the V-line and their crossbreds have formerly performed well compared to the Saudi native breed, but they lost this advantage of adaptation over time.Item type: Artículo , Access status: Abierto , Comparative studies on performance, seasonality, behaviour and fur fibre characteristics of five different breeds of rabbit in temperate agroclimatic conditions(Universitat Politècnica de València, 2026-03-31) Saipriya, Gajula; Hamadani, Henna; Khan, Azmat Alam; Sofi, Asif Hassan; Sheikh, Islam Uddin; Shah, Ruksana Majid; Abdullah, Muzamil; Rahman, Shahnur[EN] Rabbits are important alternate food animals, commonly used as laboratory animals and cherished as pets. The present study was planned with the aim of evaluating performance, seasonality, behaviour and fur fibre characteristics of different breeds of rabbit: Grey Giant (GG), Californian White (CW), New Zealand White (NZW), Soviet Chinchilla (SC) and Black Brown (BB), in the temperate climatic conditions of Kashmir Valley. The study included 245 matings, 56 does and 470 kits. Litter size was largest (4.70±0.37 kits) and gestation period was shortest (30.39±0.22 d) in CW. A total of 6 models were evaluated for studying the effects of age expressed in weeks, breed, their interaction and individual variations on body weights and growth. The effect of age was found to be significant across all models. The interaction between breed and week was significant for 3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th week. The highest mortality was observed in the first week for CW, NZW and BB, in the second week for GG, and in the fourth week for SC. Overall, the kindling rate (25.81) and kit index were highest in CW (121.19). During winter, spring and summer, GG, CW and BB, respectively, showed the highest kindling rate and kit index. Lowest mortality (16.86±6.09) was seen in SC rabbits. SC kits were the fastest to open their eyes after birth and fur appeared fastest in CW after birth. The highest percentage of CW and NZW does, as well as kits, were docile in behaviour, whereas bucks of all breeds were either active or very active. Fur fibre of CW showed more fibre length, whereas fibre diameter was higher in the case of NZW. The highest medullation percentage was seen in SC and in all the rabbit breeds. It was concluded that best performance was shown by CW in terms of having the largest litter size, shortest gestation period, better kindling rate and kit index, higher docility, fastest fur fibre appearance and better fur fibre characteristics.Item type: Artículo , Access status: Abierto , Adoption of rabbit farming as a sustainable livelihood strategy in the southern Philippines(Universitat Politècnica de València, 2026-03-31) Narita, Rovelito L.[EN] Rabbit farming in the Philippines is gaining traction as an alternative enterprise amid the rising cost of pork and ongoing food security concerns. In order to understand the characteristics of potential rabbit farmers and identify the factors influencing their decision to engage in the activity, this study was undertaken to examine the adoption patterns of rabbit farming in the Zamboanga Peninsula Region, Mindanao, Philippines. A total of 273 farmers were surveyed, including 123 rabbit raisers and 150 non-raisers. The survey gathered data on socioeconomic and demographic factors and solicited perceptions using a 5-point Likert scale to assess perceived demand, profitability, cost of rabbit stocks and the acceptability of rabbit meat as a functional food. Logistic regression analysis was then employed to identify the factors significantly influencing the likelihood of adopting rabbit farming. The model was specified with adoption status as the binary dependent variable, while demographic, economic and perception-based variables served as predictors. The Hosmer Lemeshow test, pseudo-R-squared measures and classification accuracy were used to assess goodnessof-fit, while variance inflation factor was calculated to diagnose multicollinearity among the predictors. Results revealed that training participation, access to credit and favourable perceptions of rabbit meat as a functional food significantly increased the likelihood of uptake, while doubts about demand and profitability remain a strong deterrent to engaging in rabbit production. It is recommended that local government units, agricultural extension agencies and relevant stakeholders should implement targeted support programmes, such as accessible microfinancing schemes for initial rabbit stock, hands-on training in low-cost rabbit housing and feeding systems, and community-based cooking demonstrations promoting rabbit meat as nutritious and acceptable functional food. Integrating rabbit farming into existing livelihood programmes and aligning it with village-level food security plans can further accelerate its adoption as a sustainable livelihood option across rural communities in the region.