Diet density in rearing and reproductive phases influences carcass composition, pregnancy rate and litter performance of primiparous rabbit does

Authors

  • Paulo Sérgio dos Santos Teixeira Universidade Estadual Paulista
  • Ana Silvia A.M.T. Moura Universidade Estadual Paulista
  • Francisco S. Wechsler Universidade Estadual Paulista
  • Simone Fernandes Universidade Estadual Paulista
  • Vânia G.M. Mattaraia Instituto Butantan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2017.6509

Keywords:

embryo implantation rate, litter size, perirenal fat, pregnancy rate, rabbit

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the effect of the interaction of diet density in the rearing phase×diet density in the reproductive phase on carcass composition, pregnancy rate, and litter performance of primiparous rabbit does. The experiment followed a 2×2×2 factorial (2 seasons, 2 diet densities in the rearing phase and 2 diet densities in reproductive phase, that is, from mating to weaning of the first litter). The reference diet (RD) contained 184 g/kg of crude protein (CP), 165 g/kg of acid detergent fibre (ADF) and 10.5 MJ/kg of digestible energy (DE). The low-density diet (LD) had 147 g/kg of CP, 24 g/kg of ADF and 8.4 MJ/kg of DE. The treatments were applied from 70 d of age until weaning of the first litter at 35 d of age. Ninety-six females from the Botucatu Genetic Group (24 females/experimental group) were mated at 142 d of age. On day 12 of gestation, 23 does were slaughtered to evaluate weights of carcass, organs and dissectible fat, and embryo implantation rate. No effects of diet density in the rearing or in the reproductive phases were detected on feed intake of does during the reproductive phase. Does fed LD during the rearing phase showed lower body weight at mating (3574±47 vs. 3866±43 g, P=0.0001) and during most of the reproductive phase, but they lost less weight in the peripartum. Perirenal fat was lighter in these does (72.8±10.0 vs. 102.1±9.6 g, P=0.048) and they showed a lower pregnancy rate (76.1 vs. 91.7%, P=0.045). The does fed RD in the reproductive phase were heavier during this phase (4055±40 g vs. 3887±41 g, P=0.0044). The does fed LD in rearing phase and RD in the reproductive phase showed larger litters at weaning, due to decreased kit mortality, than those fed RD in both phases (6.16±0.47 vs. 3.93±0.71, P=0.0361). Litters were lighter at weaning when LD was fed in the reproductive phase (3582±201 vs. 4733±187, P<0.0001). Feeding a low-density diet during the rearing phase and a reference diet during the reproductive phase is the best alternative to improve reproductive performance at the first parity.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Paulo Sérgio dos Santos Teixeira, Universidade Estadual Paulista

Seção de Biotério

Ana Silvia A.M.T. Moura, Universidade Estadual Paulista

Departamento de Produção Animal

Francisco S. Wechsler, Universidade Estadual Paulista

Departamento de Produção Animal

Simone Fernandes, Universidade Estadual Paulista

Departamento de Produção Animal

Vânia G.M. Mattaraia, Instituto Butantan

Biotério Central

References

AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists). 2000. Official Methods of Analysis, 17th ed. Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Arlington, Virginia, USA.

Blasco A., Ouhayoun J. 1996. Harmonization of criteria and terminology in rabbit meat research. Revised proposal. World Rabbit Sci. 4: 93-99. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.1996.278

Cheeke P.R. 1987. Rabbit Feeding and Nutrition. Academic Press, Orlando, USA.

Close B., Banister K., Baumans V., Bernoth E-V., Bromage N., Bunyan J., Erhard W., Flecknell P., Gregory N., Hackbarth H., Morton D., Warwick C. 1997. Recomendaciones para la Eutanasia de los Animales de Experimentación. Parte 2. Lab. Anim., 30: 293-316. https://doi.org/10.1258/002367796780739871

De Blas C., Mateos G.G. 1998. Feed Formulation. In: De Blas J.C., Wiseman J. (Eds.), The Nutrition of the Rabbit. CABI Publishing, Wallinford, UK, 241-253.

De Blas C., Mateos G.G. 2010. Feed Formulation. In: De Blas, J.C., Wiseman, J, (Eds.), Nutrition of the rabbit. CABI Publishing, Wallinford, UK, 222-232. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781845936693.0222

EGRAN (European Group on Rabbit Nutrition). 2001. Technical note: attempts to harmonize chemical analyses of feeds and faeces for rabbit feeding evaluation. World Rabbit Sci., 9: 57- 64. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2001.446

Fernández-Carmona J., Soriano J., Pascual J.J., Cervera C. 2004. The prediction of nutritive value of rabbit diets from tables of feed composition. In Proc.: 8th World Rabbit Congress, 7-10 September, 2004. Puebla, Mexico, 1: 818-823.

Fortun-Lamothe L. 1998. Effects of pre-mating energy intake on reproductive performance of rabbit does. Anim. Sci., 66: 263- 269. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1357729800009048

Fortun-Lamothe L. 2006. Energy balance and reproductive performance in rabbit does. A review. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 93: 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2005.06.009

Gidenne T., Lebas F., Fortun-Lamothe L. 2010. Feeding behavior of rabbits. In: De Blas, J.C., Wiseman, J, (Eds.), Nutrition of the rabbit. CABI Publishing, Wallinford, UK. 233-252. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781845936693.0233

Hoy S., Verga M. 2006. Welfare indicators. In: Maertens L., Coudert P. (Eds.), Recent advances in rabbit sciences. Cost, Ilvo, Melle, Belgium. 71-74.

Khalil M.H., Al-Saef A.M. 2008. Methods, criteria, techniques and genetic responses for rabbit selection: a review. In Proc.: 9th World Rabbit Congress, 10-13 June, 2008. Verona, Italy, 1: 3-34.

Lebas F., Coudert P., De Rochambeau H., Thebault R.G. 1997. The rabbit. Husbandry, health and production. FAO. Animal Production and Health Series no. 21. Rome. Italy.

Martínez-Paredes E., Ródenas L., Pascual J.J., Blas E., Brecchia G., Boiti C., Cervera C. 2015. Effect rearing feeding programme on young rabbit females behaviour and welfare indicators. World Rabbit Sci., 23: 197-205. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2015.3987

Mertens D.R. 2002. Gravimetric determination of amylase-treated neutral detergent fibre in feeds with refluxing beakers or crucibles: collaborative study. J. Assoc. Off. Assoc. Chem. Int., 85: 1217-1240.

Moura A.S.A.M.T., Polastre R., Wechsler F.S. 2000. Dam and litter inbreeding and environmental effects on litter performance in Botucatu rabbits. World Rabbit Sci., 8: 151-158. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2000.433

Moura A.S.A.M.T., Costa A.R.C., Polastre R., 2001. Variance components and response to selection for reproductive, litter and growth traits through a multi-purpose index. World Rabbit Sci., 9: 77-86. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2001.449

Nizza A., Di Meo C., Esposito L. 1997. Influence of the diet used before and after the first mating on reproductive performance of rabbit does. World Rabbit Sci., 5: 107-110. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.1997.327

Pascual J.J., Castella F., Cervera C., Blas E., Fernández-Carmona J. 2000. The use of ultrasound measurement of perirenal fat thickness to estimate changes in body condition of young female rabbits. Anim. Sci., 70: 435-442. https://doi.org/10.1017/S135772980005178X

Pascual J.J., Cervera C., Fernández-Carmona J. 2002. Feeding Programme for young rabbit does based on lucerne. World Rabbit Sci., 10: 7-13. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2002.471

Pascual J.J., Blanco J., Piquer O., Quevedo F., Cervera C. 2004. Ultrasound measurements of perirenal fat thickness to estimate the body condition of reproducing rabbit does in different physiological status. World Rabbit Sci., 12: 7-21. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2004.584

Rebollar P.G., Pereda N., Schwarz B.F., Millán P., Lorenzo P.L., Nicodemus N. 2011. Effect of feed restriction or feeding high fiber diet during the rearing period on body composition, serum parameters and productive performance of rabbit does. Anim. Feed Sci. Tech., 163: 67-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2010.10.005

Rommers J.M., Kemp B., Meijerhof R., Noordhuizen J.P.T.M. 1999. Rearing management of rabbit does: A review. World Rabbit Sci., 7: 125-138. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.1999.390

Rommers J.M., Meijerhof R., Noordhuizen J.P.T.M., Kemp B. 2001. Effect of different feeding levels during rearing and age at first insemination on body development, body composition, and puberty characteristics of rabbit does. World Rabbit Sci., 9: 101-108. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2001.452

Rommers J.M., Meijerhof R., Noordhuizen J.P.T.M., Kemp B. 2004. Effect of feeding program during rearing and age at first insemination on performances during subsequent reproduction in rabbit does. Reprod. Nutr. Dev., 44: 321-332. https://doi.org/10.1051/rnd:2004037

Santacreu M.A., Gou P., Blasco A. 1992. Relationship between ovulation rate, embryo survival and litter size in rabbits. Anim. Prod., 55: 271-276. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003356100037557

Santos E.A., Lui J.F., Scapinello C. 2004. Níveis de fibra da dieta sobre o desempenho de coelhas no primeiro e segundo ciclos reprodutivos. Acta Scientiarum Anim. Sci., 26: 41-48. https://doi.org/10.4025/actascianimsci.v26i1.1930

SAS/STAT. 2003. User’s Guide (Release 9.1.3 Service Pack 2). SAS Inst. Inc, Cary.

Teixeira P.S.S., Wechsler F.S., Moura A.S.A.M.T. 2013. Effect of nutritional density and season on the performance of young rabbit does before the first mating. Acta Scientiarum Anim. Sci., 35: 435-440. https://doi.org/10.4025/actascianimsci.v35i4.19101

Van Soest P.J., Robertson J.B., Lewis B.A. 1991. Methods for dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber and non-starch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. J. Dairy Sci., 74: 3583-3597. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(91)78551-2parity.

Xiccato G., Bernardini M., Castellini C., Zotte A.D., Queaque P.I., Trocino A. 1999. Effect of postweaning feeding on the performance and energy balance of female rabbits at different physiological states. J. Anim. Sci., 77: 416-426. https://doi.org/10.2527/1999.772416x

Xiccato G., Trocino A., Sartori A., Queaque P.I. 2004. Effect of parity order and litter weaning age on the performance and body energy balance of rabbit does. Livest. Prod. Sci., 85: 239-251. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0301-6226(03)00125-8

Downloads

Published

2017-06-28

Issue

Section

Papers