World Rabbit Science - Vol. 20 (4)-2012
https://riunet.upv.es:443/handle/10251/18347
2024-03-29T07:41:13ZSodium butyrate in growing and fattening diets for early-weaned rabbits
https://riunet.upv.es:443/handle/10251/18354
Sodium butyrate in growing and fattening diets for early-weaned rabbits
Ribeiro, Joana; Gaspar, Sandra; Pinho, Mário; Freire, João P. B.; Falcão-e-Cunha, Luisa
[EN] To study the effect of adding coated sodium butyrate (SB) to growing-fattening rabbit diets, 2 trials were conducted. In trial 1, 180 rabbits were housed in pairs and fattened from 23 (weaning) to 63 d of age to evaluate their zootechnical performance. Trial 2 involved 30 rabbits, from 23 to 37 d of age and housed individually in digestibility cages, to evaluate digestibility, caecal fermentative activity and morphology of the intestinal mucosa. In both trials rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups, each receiving one of the following diets: control diet [CTR, 360 g neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and 170 g crude protein (CP)/kg dry matter (DM)] and SB diet. The SB diet, similar to CTR diet, included coated SB at 5 g/kg by replacement of an identical quantity of wheat. In trial 1, after the first 2 wk, the SB content was reduced from 5 to 3 g/kg. In trial 2, faeces were collected over the last 6 d (32-37 d of age), with rabbits being slaughtered at 37 d of age. Gastric and caecal pH were measured and fermentative activity was determined in caecal contents. Three sections of the small intestine were excised from 20 rabbits (10 per treatment) for microscopic examination of intestinal villi and crypts in the proximal region, central region and distal region. In the first 2 wk after weaning, SB rabbits grew 8% less than their counterparts (P=0.002), but had a better feed conversion ratio (1.58 vs. 1.61; P=0.036). During the whole trial 1 period, SB improved feed conversion (P=0.005) and decreased feed intake (104.1 CTR vs. 98.8 g/d SB; P=0.017). No difference was recorded in daily weight gain (42.7 vs. 42.9 g/d). In both diets, the digestibility of DM, organic matter, energy, CP and NDF were similar. In the 3 intestinal regions of rabbits fed SB diet, crypts were deeper (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in villus height and width between treatments. Pectinase activity was higher (P=0.054) with SB diet, but cellulase and xylanase activity remained unaffected by diet. In our experimental conditions, the addition of SB allowed an improvement in feed conversion.
2013-01-09T12:37:50ZNutritive value of sun-dried Pueraria Phaseoloides for rabbits under tropical conditions
https://riunet.upv.es:443/handle/10251/18353
Nutritive value of sun-dried Pueraria Phaseoloides for rabbits under tropical conditions
Akoutey, A.; Kpodekon, Marc T.; Bannelier, Carolle; Gidenne, Thierry
[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.
2013-01-09T12:33:48ZNormal values of haematological and some biochemical parameters in serum and urine of New Zealand White rabbits
https://riunet.upv.es:443/handle/10251/18352
Normal values of haematological and some biochemical parameters in serum and urine of New Zealand White rabbits
Özkan, Cumali; Kaya, Abdullah; Akgül, Yakup
[EN] The purpose of the present study was to define the normal haematologic values and some biochemical parameters in serum and in urine in both male and female New Zealand white rabbits and to determine the effect of gender on these parameters. Blood and urine samples from a total of 40 New Zealand white rabbits were investigated. The haematologic parameters were determined in whole blood samples, while serum and urine (urine protein, glucose, creatinine, urea, GGT, nitrite, Na, K, Cl, creatinine clearance) biochemical parameters were determined in serum and urine samples. Normal values of these parameters were determined and statistical comparisons between male and female animals performed. No statistically significant differences were found between male and female animals for the parameters analysed except HCT, HGB, granulocyte %, L/M and serum K concentration. As a result, it was judged that defining the normal values of given haematological factors and serum and urine biochemical parameters in this study in New Zealand white rabbits would be helpful for both clinicians and researchers.
2013-01-09T12:29:51ZMorphology, chemical composition, and bacterial concentration of airborne particulate matter in rabbit farms
https://riunet.upv.es:443/handle/10251/18351
Morphology, chemical composition, and bacterial concentration of airborne particulate matter in rabbit farms
Adell Sales, Elisa; Estellés Barber, Fernando; Torres, Antonio G.; Cambra López, María
[EN] Livestock houses are major sources of airborne particulate matter (PM), which can originate
from manure, feed, feathers, skin and bedding and may contain and transport microorganisms. Improved knowledge of particle size, morphology, chemical and microbiological composition of PM in livestock houses can help identify major sources of PM and contribute to the development of appropriate source- specific reduction techniques. In rabbit production systems, however, there is limited information on specific particle characteristics. The objective of this study was to characterise airborne PM in rabbit farms in terms of morphology, chemical compositions and bacterial concentration in different size fractions. Size-fractioned PM was sampled in the air of 2 rabbit farms, 1 for fattening rabbits and 1 for reproductive does, using a virtual cascade impactor, which simultaneously collected total suspended PM (TSP), PM10 and PM2.5 size fractions. Airborne PM samples were examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Representative samples from potential sources of PM were also collected and examined. Additionally, a methodology to extract bacteria from the collected samples of airborne PM was developed to determine the bacterial concentration per PM size fraction. Results showed that airborne PM in rabbit farms is highly complex in particle morphology, especially in size. Broken skin flakes, disintegrated particles from feed or faecal material from mechanical fracture are the main sources of airborne PM in rabbit farms. Major elements found in rabbit airborne PM were S, Ca, Mg, Na and Cl. Bacterial concentrations ranged from 1.7¿104 to 1.6¿106 colony forming units (CFU)/m3 (TSP); from 3.6¿103 to 3.0¿104 CFU/m3 (PM10); and from 3.1¿103 to 1.6¿104 CFU/m3 (PM2.5). Our results will improve the knowledge on essential particle characteristics necessary to understand PM¿s origin in rabbit farms and contribute to its reduction.
2013-01-09T12:18:16ZDescription of nestbox visits and suckling events in a group housing system for rabbit does as compared to individual cages
https://riunet.upv.es:443/handle/10251/18350
Description of nestbox visits and suckling events in a group housing system for rabbit does as compared to individual cages
Rommers, Jorine M.; Kemp, Bas; Houwers, H.W.; Gunnink, Henk; de Jong, Ingrid C.
[EN] Research was conducted to study nursing associated events of lactating rabbit does. Nest box visits and suckling events were investigated using 6 group pens (8 does/pen) and 12 enriched individual cages. Each group pen and individual cage was observed by video for one day per week until weaning at 35 d of lactation, with exception of the third week of lactation. In the first 2 wk of lactation, videotapes were analysed for the frequency and duration of nest box visits per day. The fourth and fifth week of lactation, suckling events on the floor of the group pens and nest box visits in the individual cages were analysed for one day per week. The first 2 wk of lactation, does visits to the nest boxes were less frequent (respectively 1.9±0.2 vs. 2.6±0.3, P<0.1) and shorter (respectively 113±9 s vs. 158±15 s, P< 0.05) in the group pens than in the individual cages. In the group pens, 32% of the does had intervals of >24 h between nest box visits. In the cages, all does visited the nest boxes at least once a day. In the last 2 wk of lactation, in the group pens suckling duration (mean±standard deviation) was 89±49 and 92.2±37 s in respectively week 4 and 5. In 79% of the suckling events a mix of the does¿ own and other kits were suckled. No difference was found in suckling duration between litters consisting of own and/or other kits. Thirty-two per cent of the does in week 4 and 62% of the does in week 5 did not suckle kits on the floor of the pen, whereas all the does in the cages still visited the nest boxes at least once every 24 h. Based on this study, it can be concluded that in group housing less frequent and shorter nest box visits as well as suckling events were found as compared to individual housing.
2013-01-09T11:59:44ZCharacteristics of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from acute, sub-acute and sub-clinical staphylococcosis in rabbits
https://riunet.upv.es:443/handle/10251/18349
Characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from acute, sub-acute and sub-clinical staphylococcosis in rabbits
Tirpude, Rajeshkumar J.; Batra, H.V.
[EN] Staphylococcus aureus bacteria isolated from different clinical presentations of staphylococcosis in rabbits were examined for the production of various virulence factors using biochemical and immunological tests. In the total of 106 S. aureus isolates; toxic shock syndrome toxin-1, staphylococcal enterotoxin-C, DNase, ¿-haemolysin, ß-haemolysin, ¿-haemolysin, protein A and clumping factor were observed with a frequency of 33.2, 16.98, 83.96, 69.81, 36.79, 100, 78.30 and 54.72 percent, respectively. No SE-A, SE-B and SE-D producing isolates were recovered in this study. All the S. aureus isolates from acute staphylococcosis produced TSST-1, SE-C and protein A. While ¿¿haemolysin and clumping factor were not detected in any acute isolates, these factors were
observed at a relatively higher frequency in isolates from sub-acute and sub-clinical
staphylococcosis. Coagulase type III was observed more predominantly with a frequency of
45.28%, while coagulase types V and VII were not observed in any isolate. Most of the virulence factors belonged to coagulase type III followed by type VI. TSST-1 and SE-C along with coagulase types III and V Icould be correlated with the acute and sub-acute staphylococcal infections in rabbits in this study.
2013-01-09T11:53:43ZActivity of diclazuril against coccidiosis in growing rabbits: experimental and field experiences
https://riunet.upv.es:443/handle/10251/18348
Activity of diclazuril against coccidiosis in growing rabbits: experimental and field experiences
Vereecken, Monita; Lavazza, A.; De Gussem, K.; Chiari, M.; Tittarelli, C.; Zuffellato, A.; Maertens, Luc
[EN] The efficacy of diclazuril in growing rabbits was investigated under experimental and field conditions. In a first experimental trial, the susceptibility of recent isolated French Eimeria field strains to in-feed use of diclazuril, salinomycin and robenidine was studied in fattening rabbits. Rabbits were challenged at the age of 31 d with a mixed inoculum of Eimeria magna, E. media and E. perforans. Production data and oocyst excretion were compared with an infected-untreated control group and an uninfected-untreated control group. Infection resulted in significantly lower production data and higher oocyst excretion in the infected-untreated control group. Salinomycin and diclazuril treated rabbits were able to control the infection, demonstrated also by comparable weight gain and final weight to those of the uninfected-untreated control rabbits and significantly higher than those of the infected-untreated control rabbits. Based on the production data and oocyst excretion, robenidine was not able to control the infection adequately. Economic performance (weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion) and oocyst excretion were significantly worse than in the uninfected-untreated controls. In a second trial, a 1 yr longitudinal study was carried out in Italy to evaluate the excretion of coccidia in growing rabbits from 8 meat farms applying a 2-phase anticoccidial programme (diclazuril and robenidine). Parasitological parameters (oocyst counts and species identification) were measured monthly. Seven of the 11 known coccidial rabbit species were identified. Variable levels of oocysts per gram were detected in the farms, but on all farms lower oocyst per gram and a reduced number of Eimeria spp. in rabbit faeces were recorded in the 8-mo treatment period with diclazuril.
2013-01-09T11:45:34Z