World Rabbit Science - Vol. 22 (1)-2014
https://riunet.upv.es:443/handle/10251/39049
2024-03-28T08:52:01ZLetter - Could the new rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus variant (RHDVb) be fully replacing classical RHD strains in the Iberian Peninsula?
https://riunet.upv.es:443/handle/10251/39116
Letter - Could the new rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus variant (RHDVb) be fully replacing classical RHD strains in the Iberian Peninsula?
Calvete, Carlos; Sarto, Pilar; Calvo, Antonio J; Monroy, Fernando; Calvo, Jorge H
2014-07-29T09:16:25ZDetection of polymorphisms and protein domain architectures in rabbit toll-like receptor 2
https://riunet.upv.es:443/handle/10251/39115
Detection of polymorphisms and protein domain architectures in rabbit toll-like receptor 2
Zhang, X.Y,; Lei, M.; Xie, L.; Zhang, C.X.; Zheng, J.; Yang, C.; Deng, X. D.; Li, J. L.; Huang, D. P.; Xie, X. H.
[EN] Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognise pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) derived from pathogens and participate in activation of the immune responses. The TLR2 gene can recognise PAMPs specific to bacterial diseases such as pneumonia. In the present study, we sequenced the coding regions of the TLR2 gene in 18 rabbits from 5 breeds, including New Zealand White, Californian, Flemish Giant, Chinchilla and Fu Jian Yellow. In total, we discovered 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including 4 non-synonymous SNPs located within the predicted TLR domains. Two non-synonymous SNPs (G205A and G265C) were located in the LRR (leucine-rich repeat) domains of the predicted protein, while another non-synonymous SNP (C943T) was situated in the regions involved in binding to ligands. In addition, one synonymous SNP (C1174T) was distributed in the nucleus regions of heterodimers formed. Then, we revealed five conservative regions in the LRR patterning by prediction and comparison of TLR2 protein domain architectures for multiple species. The SNPs in the TLR2 gene may increase the probability of adaptation to variability of PAMPs due to the rapid evolution of pathogens and the possibility of survival in rabbit populations. The SNPs reported here will be useful to investigate the association between the TLR2 gene and disease resistance in future studies.
2014-07-29T09:13:52ZEffect of dietary linseed oil and Ganoderma lucidum or olive leaves supplementation on fatty acid composition and oxidative status of rabbits
https://riunet.upv.es:443/handle/10251/39114
Effect of dietary linseed oil and Ganoderma lucidum or olive leaves supplementation on fatty acid composition and oxidative status of rabbits
Trebušak, Tina; Levart, Alenka; Frankič, Tamara; Salobir, J.; Pirman, Tatjana
[EN] The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of natural antioxidant supplementation on the oxidative stress induced by a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in rabbit diets. Forty-eight SIKA rabbits (24 male, 24 female) were penned individually and after a 5-d adaptation period divided into 4 homogeneous groups (2.58±0.3 kg). The CONT– group received a diet with 60 g/kg palm fat, while the other 3 groups received a diet with 60 g/kg linseed oil which was either unsupplemented (CONT+) or supplemented with 10 g/kg of Ganoderma lucidum (REISHI) or 10 g/kg of olive leaves (OLIVE). Rabbits were euthanised at 102 d of age, 22 d after the start of the experiment. Live weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion rate were recorded. The fatty acid composition of back (M. longissimus dorsi) and hind leg muscle (thigh muscle), adipose tissue (abdominal fat) and liver were determined. To evaluate the oxidative status of rabbits, the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in the plasma, liver and both muscles was measured. DNA damage in the leukocytes was measured. Linseed oil addition increased the PUFA ratio and decreased the proportion of saturated fatty acids in all tissues (P<0.001), with no detrimental effect on productive performance of rabbits compared to palm fat. Linseed oil also reduced n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio in all tissues (P<0.001). However, linseed oil addition increased the oxidative stress by increasing MDA concentrations in the liver and muscles (P<0.001), but did not affect the plasma MDA concentrations and the extent of DNA damage in the blood leukocytes compared to palm fat. Addition of olive leaves tended to decrease the concentration of MDA in the liver Addition of olive leaves tended to decrease the concentration of MDA in the liver compared to CONT+ (P=0.059), with no effect of Ganoderma lucidum.
2014-07-29T09:10:35ZEffect of cage type on the behaviour patterns of rabbit does at different physiological stages
https://riunet.upv.es:443/handle/10251/39113
Effect of cage type on the behaviour patterns of rabbit does at different physiological stages
Alfonso-Carrillo, Clara; Martín, Erika; Blas, Carlos de; Ibáñez, Miguel Ángel; García-Rebollar, Paloma; García-Ruiz, Ana Isabel
[EN] Interest in commercially farmed rabbit welfare has increased in recent years. As a result, new alternativehousing systems have been developed, although they require evaluation in order to demonstrate their potential for improving welfare. The aim of this trial was to study the behavioural traits of rabbit does housed in 2 different types of cage (TC): conventional vs. alternative with an elevated platform, at different physiological stages (PS); lactation and gestation. Behavioural observations were carried out on 12 rabbit commercial does using continuous 24 h video recording. Independently of PS and TC, rabbit does spent most of their time on foot mats (on av. 57.7%). However, due to the use of platforms (on av. 23.0% of time), lactating does spent 36.6% less time on foot mats (P<0.001) and gestating does spent 27.0% less time on wire mesh (P<0.001) in alternative cages than in conventional cages. Alternative cages allowed for standing posture, but this behaviour was only observed in gestating does (on av. 4.6 times a day). Frequency of drinking was higher in conventional than in alternative cages (24.6 vs. 19.1 times a day; P<0.05). Gestating does housed in conventional cages reached the highest duration and frequency of interacting with neighbours (276 s/d and 4.6 times/d; P<0.05). The frequency of interacting with kits was lower in alternative than in conventional cages (2.4 vs. 8.6 times a day; P<0.01). Doe behaviour was influenced by the time of day, with less activity during the midday hours. During dark hours, rabbit does more frequently performed restless behaviour such as hyperactivity or nursing, matching the time at which rabbit does spent more time on the platform. The platform was frequently used by rabbit does, regardless of their physiological stage, and during late lactation phase, when mothers were not receptive to nursing, does housed in alternative cages used the platform as a mean to flee from kits trying to suckle. Use of the platform might lead to hygienic problems due to retained faeces on the platform and faeces and urine falling onto animals located in the lower part of the cage. The absence of stereotypies in rabbit does of this trial, suggested that animal welfare was not compromised by the type of housing (conventional or alternative cages).
2014-07-29T09:06:24ZCharacterisation of wild rabbit commercial game farms in Spain
https://riunet.upv.es:443/handle/10251/39112
Characterisation of wild rabbit commercial game farms in Spain
González-Redondo, Pedro; Sánchez-Martínez, Rosario
[EN] The aim of this research is to characterise the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) commercial game farms in Spain using variables related to structure, management and marketing. To this end, a structured survey was administered in 2009 to 21 privately-owned farms. This subsector was an average age of 13. The average size of the breeding stock of the farms was 431 does and 64 bucks. Eighty-five percent of the farms kept all or part of the breeding stock in cages and 38.1% used artificial insemination. All the farms carried out breeder self-replacement, 4.8% by buying wild rabbits from other farms, whereas 38.1% captured wild rabbits for this purpose. Nineteen percent of the wild rabbit game farms also produced other game species, mainly red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa), pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) and quail (Coturnix coturnix). Fourteen percent of the farms supplied wild rabbits to be used as prey to be released in programmes for the conservation of endangered predators, and 38.1% supplied breeding rabbits to be used by other farms to replace culled animals. Eighty-six percent of the farms offered the service of transporting the animals from the farm to the hunting grounds to their clients, and 14.3% advised customers on how to successfully release and restock hunting grounds. Seventy-six percent of the farms marketed their products throughout Spain, and 38.1% exported wild rabbits to neighbouring countries, mainly Portugal and France. Forty-three percent of the farms advertised themselves in hunting magazines, 19.1% promoted themselves by attending livestock and game fairs, and 38.1% had their own websites. In conclusion, this alternative rabbit production system constitutes a well-established subsector in Spain, despite being only 2 decades old. It also seems that it has not yet reached its development maturity. It shows wide diversity in terms of farm size and structure, as well as marketing and promotional activities.
2014-07-29T09:03:50ZThe effect of housing conditions on Biceps femoris muscle fibre properties, fatty acid composition, performance and carcass traits of slow-growing rabbits
https://riunet.upv.es:443/handle/10251/39107
The effect of housing conditions on Biceps femoris muscle fibre properties, fatty acid composition, performance and carcass traits of slow-growing rabbits
Volek, Zdenek; Chodova, Darina; Tumova, Eva; Volkova, Lenka; Kudrnová, Elena; Marounek, Milan
[EN] he aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of stocking density on the biceps femoris (BF) muscle fibre properties, meat quality, the growth performance and carcass traits of Czech White rabbits. A total of 20 rabbits (40 days old, 10 rabbits per treatment, sex ratio 1/1) were reared in cages at different stocking densities (10 rabbits/m2 or 4 rabbits/m2) for 49 days. Stocking density had no significant effect on the growth performance. There were no significant differences between groups with regard to hot carcass weight (HCW) or dressing-out percentage. The proportions of both perirenal (9.5 vs. 15.9 g/kg HCW; P=0.010) and total dissectible fat (14.9 vs. 25.1 g/kg HCW; P=0.001) were lower in rabbits reared at the lower stocking density. No significant differences in ultimate pH values, meat colour or proximate composition were observed. The hind leg meat of rabbits reared at the lower stocking density contained significantly less lauric (4.6 vs. 6.7 mg/100 g of muscle; P=0.008) and myristic acid (52.2 vs. 64.4 mg/100 g of muscle; P=0.033). Significantly higher percentages of βR fibres (16.3 vs. 6.5 %, P=0.001) and αR fibres (24.5 vs. 14.2 %; P=0.001) and a significantly lower percentage of αW fibres (59.2 vs. 79.3 %; P=0.001) were also observed in these rabbits. The mean cross-sectional area (1882 vs. 2744 μm2; P=0.001) and diameter (47.9 vs. 58.5 μm; P=0.001) of βR fibres were smaller in rabbits reared at the lower stocking density. Thus, the lower stocking density favourably affected the medium-chain fatty acid profile of meat and fibre characteristics of the rabbits' biceps femoris muscle.
2014-07-29T07:03:09ZEffect of pasture availability and genotype on welfare, immune function, performance and meat characteristics of growing rabbits
https://riunet.upv.es:443/handle/10251/39106
Effect of pasture availability and genotype on welfare, immune function, performance and meat characteristics of growing rabbits
Mugnai, Cecilia; Dal Bosco, Alessandro; Cardinali, Raffaella; Rebollar, Pilar Garcia; Moscati, Livia; Castellini, Cesare
[EN] To analyse the effect of pasture availability and genotype on innate immunological status,morphological organisation of lymphoid follicles, behaviour, performance and carcass and meat characteristics, 80 growing rabbits (40 Leprino of Viterbo and 40 New Zealand White, NZW) were reared in bicellular standard cages (control) or in a wired pen, provided with an external grass pasture (pasture). Blood samples and behaviour observations (10 rabbits per group) were performed at different ages (weaning, 49 and 89 d). At the end of the trial, 10 rabbits per group were slaughtered to study meat quality/composition and vermiform appendix structure. Leprino rabbits showed higher serum lysozyme values than NZW for all ages and rearing systems. Leprino rabbits showed the highest values in caged animals (29.6 and 32.4 mg/mL, respectively at 49 and 89 d of age), while NZW animals did so in the pen (2.2 and 0.00 g/mL, respectively at 49 and 89 d of age). Haemolytic Complement Assay increased with age in Leprino (43.7 vs. 48.6 and 51.2 μg/mL, respectively for cage and pen), but decreased in NZW (68.6 vs. 25.8 and 41.1 μg/mL, respectively for cage and pen). Plasma TBARs was always higher in Leprino rabbits (16.0 vs. 7.0 μmol malondialdehyde/L at 29 d of age; 17.9 vs. 8.0 μmol malondialdehyde/L at 49 d of age; 20.0 vs. 11.4 μmol malondialdehyde/L at 89 d of age), whereas plasma tocopherol showed an inverse trend (32.9 vs. 46.6 mg/L at 29 d of age; 32.5 vs. 44.4 mg/L at 49 d of age; 31.2 vs. 42.4 mg/L at 89 d of age). Mortality rate of Leprino rabbits was highest in the cage system, while mortality was highest in NZW housed in the pen. Productive performance, carcass traits and fatty acid composition of meat were strongly affected by genotype and rearing system. Regarding genotype effect, Leprino showed lower daily gains (31.9 and 29.6 vs. 44.2 and 40.0 g, respectively for cage and pen system), live (2563 and 2418 vs. 2902 and 2650, respectively for cage and pen system) and carcass weights (1561 and 1465 vs. 1763 and 1580, respectively for cage and pen system). Pasture availability improved the meat nutritional quality and, in particular, the n-6/n-3 ratio was optimal and the total tocopherol content was suitable to assure a good oxidative stability.
2014-07-29T07:00:23ZEffect of genotype on estimated indexes of fatty acid metabolism in rabbits
https://riunet.upv.es:443/handle/10251/39052
Effect of genotype on estimated indexes of fatty acid metabolism in rabbits
Dal Bosco, Alessandro; Mugnai, Cecilia; Roscini, Valentina; Paci, Gisella; Castellini, Cesare
[EN] To analyse the effect of rabbit genotype on fatty acid metabolism, 60 weaned rabbits (30 d old, sex ratio 1:1; 20 New Zealand White, 20 Leprino of Viterbo and 20 rabbits of a Local grey population) were reared in bicellular standard cages. At 80 d, 10 rabbits per group were selected and slaughtered. The muscle fatty acid composition and relative indexes of metabolism of the longissmus lumborum of these rabbits were determined. The New Zealand White and Leprino rabbits exhibited lower percentages of myristic acid and higher percentages of palmitic acid and palmitoleic acid, and the levels of monounsaturated fatty acids were significantly higher in these rabbits. The grey-coloured rabbits exhibited the highest values of total n-3 fatty acids. With respect to fatty acid metabolism, the New Zealand White and Leprino rabbits exhibited higher thioesterase and Δ9-desaturase indexes and lower elongase and Δ5- Δ6-desaturase indexes. The estimated Δ5- Δ6-desaturase activity was significantly higher in the Local grey rabbits, suggesting a genetic effect on the desaturase and elongase mechanisms responsible for the synthesis of long-chain n-3 fatty acids.
2014-07-25T11:59:25ZEffect of dietary supplementation of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) on carcass composition, meat physical traits, and vitamin B12 content on growing rabbits
https://riunet.upv.es:443/handle/10251/39051
Effect of dietary supplementation of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) on carcass composition, meat physical traits, and vitamin B12 content on growing rabbits
Dalle Zotte, Antonella; Cullere, Marco; Sartori, Alberto; Dal Bosco, Alessandro; Gerencsér, Zsolt; Matics, Zsolt; Kovàcs, Melinda; Szendrő, Zsolt
[EN] The aim of this study was to compare the effect and duration of dietary inclusion of 5% spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) and/or 3% thyme (Thymus vulgaris) on growing rabbit carcass composition, meat and bone rheological traits, and the vitamin B12 content of Longissimus dorsi (LD) meat. The study involved 294 maternal line growing rabbits from the Pannon breeding programme. At weaning (5 wk), animals were randomly divided by dietary treatment into 7 groups of 42 rabbits each. A control group (C-C) received a pellet with no supplementation throughout the trial (5-11 wk of age), whereas the other groups were fed diets supplemented with 5% spirulina (S), 3% thyme (T) or with both ingredients (ST) for either the entire growing period (5-11 wk of age; groups: S-S, T-T, ST-ST, respectively), or its final part only (8-11 wk of age; groups: C-S, C-T, C-ST, respectively). Results showed that regardless of the duration of supplementation, spirulina and thyme provided no effect on the traits examined, except for scapular fat content, whose value was higher in the S-S group than in the C-T group (P<0.05). Spirulina was confirmed as a rich source of vitamin B12 that was successfully transferred into LD meat, thus demonstrating its value as an effective natural supplement in producing food fortified with this vital element. Further studies are necessary to clarify the effect of spirulina on carcass fat deposition, bone development, and mineralisation.
2014-07-25T11:54:13ZEffect of dietary supplementation of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) on apparent digestibility and productive performance of growing rabbits
https://riunet.upv.es:443/handle/10251/39050
Effect of dietary supplementation of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) on apparent digestibility and productive performance of growing rabbits
Gerencsér, Zsolt; Szendro, Zsolt; Matics, Zsolt; Radnai, István; Kovács, Melinda; Nagy, István; Cullere, Marco; Dal Bosco, Alessandro; Dalle Zotte, Antonella
[EN] The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) or/and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) on total tract apparent digestibility of nutrients and the performance of growing rabbits. At weaning (5 wk of age) the rabbits were randomly allotted to 7 groups (42 rabbits/group, 3 rabbits/cage). Rabbits in the control group (C-C) received a control pelleted feed throughout the experiment (5-11 wk of age) without any supplementation (crude protein: 176 g CP/kg, neutral detergent fibre: 325 g NDF/kg). In the other groups, the control diet was supplemented with 5% spirulina (S, mainly in substitution of soybean meal), or 3% thyme (T, mainly in substitution of alfalfa meal) or by both 5% S and 3% T (ST) for the whole (5-11 wk of age; groups: S-S, T-T, ST-ST) or part of the growing period (8-11 wk of age; groups: C-S, C-T, C-ST). Supplementations had no effect on apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, acid detergent fibre, gross energy and digestible energy. The CP TTAD was lowest in rabbits fed the S diet, whereas it was highest in C fed rabbits, the other 2 treatments being intermediate (P<0.001). The starch TTAD was lowest for S fed rabbits (98.3%) and highest for ST fed rabbits (99.4%), the other 2 dietary groups being intermediate (P<0.001). In contrast, the ether extract TTAD was higher in T than ST and C dietary groups (on av. 70.4 vs. 67.7% respectively; P<0.001), with S fed rabbits showing an intermediate value (69.1%). The NDF TTAD of the ST diet was lower than that of the other 3 groups (16.4 vs. 21.0% respectively; P<0.001). The TTAD of Ca reached the lowest value for the S diet (53.5%) compared with the other 3 diets (on av. 59.1%; P<0.001). The S diet also had the lowest digestibility (P<0.001) for K and P,but in this case the C group always showed the highest values (P<0.001), with T and ST rabbits exhibiting intermediate results. Spirulina and/or thyme dietary supplementation had no effect on feed intake (133 g/d), daily weight gain (38.3 g/d), morbidity (9.9 %) or mortality (1.8 %). Significant differences were only found for feed conversion ratio, which was lower for the C-T group (3.39) than for the C-C group (3.54; P<0.05). Based on these results, spirulina and thyme included separately or combined in growing rabbit diets did not exhibit substantial effects on growth performance or health status.
2014-07-25T11:05:07Z