This study investigates the efficacy of rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.) urine as a natural biopesticide and growth stimulant for green cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) to provide a sustainable alternative to synthetic agrochemicals. Seedlings were transplanted at approximately 25 d of age and treatments with varying concentrations of rabbit urine (25, 50 and 75% v/v) were applied weekly starting 15 d after transplanting (DAT). Physicochemical analysis revealed that the urine was alkaline (pH 8.2), with high ammonia content, elevated total dissolved solids (5786.5±85.4 ppm) and high electrical conductivity (10 704.3±120.6 μS/cm), suggesting potent pest-deterrent and nutrient-delivery properties. Results indicated that the 75% concentration significantly reduced pest severity by approximately 75% and suppressed lepidopterous pest populations by up to 83.3% compared to untreated controls. Leaf damage was markedly reduced (1.0±0.1 vs. 4.0±0.2 in controls). Furthermore, the 75% treatment enhanced crop productivity, increasing marketable yield to 97.8% (vs. 75.0% in controls) and improving the harvest index from 0.60 to 0.75. These findings suggest that rabbit urine can be integrated into sustainable pest management strategies, offering a low-cost, eco-friendly solution that could benefit smallholder farmers. Future research should explore the mechanisms behind pest suppression, long-term effects on soil health and optimal application protocols to facilitate wider adoption.
This literature review explores genotype×environment (G×E) interactions in rabbit and pig production. This occurs if the difference between genotypes depends on the environment, leading to re-ranking or scale effect between genotypes. High temperatures and seasonal variations strongly influence reproductive, growth and feed efficiency performance, with moderate genetic correlations between environments. Animal lines show different sensitivities to heat stress, underlining the importance of selecting animals under conditions that reflect their future rearing environment. Rabbit behaviour and performance differ according to the type of housing, such as cages, pens or access to a grazing area. While G×E interactions are limited for growth traits, they are more pronounced for behaviours, particularly in enriched systems. In swine production, organic systems or more restrictive production environments reveal significant G×E interactions for growth and feed efficiency. High-fibre diets or diets including co-products also lead to differences in feed efficiency and body composition, with re-ranking between genotypes. These results show that G×E interactions influence a variety of traits depending on rearing conditions, and require adaptation of selection strategies. Future production systems, subject to increased climatic constraints and more extensive practices, must integrate these interactions. Genetic selection will have to be based on evaluations in representative environments to ensure that the animals are adapted to the challenges of climate change and new societal expectations.
This study evaluated acute colitis induced by indomethacin and Escherichia coli O78 in rabbits and the efficacy of essential oils in treating of diseased rabbits. A total of 90 male rabbits were equally divided into two experiments (45 rabbits per experiment). The first experiment included five groups (G1-G5). G1 (C) group: Animals received 1 mL PBS orally; G2 (indo) group: received of indomethacin (8 mg/kg body weight (BW)) to induce colitis as a single subcutaneous administration; G3 (indo+Dill) group: received indomethacin for 24 h, followed by the administration of dill oil (200 mg/kg BW) via a gastric tube for five consecutive days; G4 (indo+Fennel) group: received indomethacin, followed by the administration of fennel oil (400 mg/kg BW) via a gastric tube for five consecutive days; and G5 (indo+DEX) group: received indomethacin, followed by oral administration of dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) after 24 h, serving as a standard treatment for colitis. The second experiment included five groups (G1-G5). G1 (C) group: received 1 mL PBS orally; G2 (EC) group: infected with E. coli suspension (O78) orally (1.0 mL x 108 CFU) ; G3 (EC+Dill) group: orally infected with E. coli and administration of dill oil (200 mg/kg BW) via a gastric tube for five days; G4 (EC+Fennel) group: orally infected with E. coli and administration of fennel oil (400 mg/kg BW) via a gastric tube for five days; G5 (EC+Florfenicol) group: orally infected with E. coli andadministration of 1 mL of florfenicol (30 mg/kg BW) for five days. All rabbits were weighed at 7, 14 and 21 d in both experiments, and blood samples were collected for haematological, biochemical and immunological analysis. Subsequently, liver and colon tissues were collected for gene expression analysis and histopathological examination. In both experiments, the G2 group exhibited significant differences (P<0.05) compared to the supplemented groups (G3 & G4) in terms of growth performance, clinical signs, bacterial shedding, biochemical, immunological and haematological parameters, cytokines production and histopathological lesion scores. In both experiments, G3 and G4 had the highest (P<0.05) growth performance, phagocytic activity, IgM and IgG, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and antioxidant activity. Additionally, these groups showed the lowest rates of bacterial shedding, hepatic and renal damage, heterophil/lymphocyte ratios and lesion scores compared to the other groups. In conclusion, a five-day supplementation of dill and fennel extracts improves growth performance, immunological status, antioxidant activity and cytokine production in the treatment of rabbits with colitis induced by indomethacin and E. coli O78.
Rabbit skin is a promising source of gelatine due to its high collagen content, faster production and cost-efficiency compared to bovine gelatine, and halal status compared to porcine gelatine. Gelatine’s gel-forming and hydrophilic properties allow uniform dispersion of dyes, making it suitable for edible films and smart packaging applications. This research aimed to develop a pH-responsive smart packaging film based on rabbit skin gelatine containing red beet extract (RBE) and to investigate the influence of RBE concentration on the films’ physical, mechanical and functional properties. Films were prepared with 5–15% RBE, using a completely randomised design with four replicates per treatment. Results showed strong interactions among gelatine, glycerol and RBE, as confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectra. RBE concentration significantly influenced thickness, water vapour transmission rate (WVTR), colour (L*, a*, b*), pH response, tensile strength, elongation and Young’s modulus (P<0.05). Optimal properties were achieved at 5% RBE, producing a film with 0.20 mm thickness, 5.37 g/m²·day WVTR, bright red colour (L* 66.67, a* 24.44, b* 4.82), tensile strength 2.03 MPa, elongation 108% and Young’s modulus 1.88 MPa, meeting Japanese Industrial Standard with clearly visible colour changes at different pH levels. These findings highlight the potential of rabbit skin gelatine–RBE films as biodegradable, functional smart packaging.
Seminal plasma biochemistry is a sensitive indicator of sperm responses to cold stress, yet its temporal and breed-specific dynamics in rabbits remain poorly defined. This study investigated temporal changes in key seminal plasma parameters of extended rabbit semen, including total proteins, albumin, cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) during 72 h of storage at 5°C, and their associations with sperm quality traits and oxidative stress biomarkers in New Zealand White (NZW) and Local Algerian Population (LAP) bucks. Eighteen semen pools (nine per breed) were analysed at 0, 4, 24, 48 and 72 h of storage. Distinct breed-specific responses were observed. The LAP bucks showed better resilience, with stable levels of total proteins and albumin, a smaller increase in triglycerides at 48 h (P<0.05) and a delayed significant decline in ASAT activity (48 vs. 4 h in NZW). In NZW, total protein accumulation correlated negatively with sperm quality, albumin and catalase, but positively with superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities (P<0.05). In LAP, ASAT activity correlated positively with sperm quality and albumin (P<0.05). Triglycerides emerged as a robust biomarker, showing consistent negative correlations with sperm quality traits in both breeds and with catalase activity when data from both breeds were pooled (P<0.05). Overall, proteins and ASAT acted as breed-specific indicators, whereas triglycerides represented a breed-independent marker of cold storage damage. These findings offer valuable insights for the development of improved semen diluents and could enhance semen analysis protocols during storage.
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 (R) (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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In this study we determined clinical and epidemiological aspects of clinical pregnancy toxaemia/ketosis (CPTK) in female rabbits housed in commercial farms in Portugal and Spain. Information was gathered through 12 611 visits to 1422 doe farms during 1994-2024. The median size of the doe farms visited by the end of the period was 868 does (mean size: 1067 does, ranging from 100 to 6000 does). Diagnoses were based on macroscopic post-mortem examinations by veterinarians. Over the 31-yr study, we conducted 5117 necropsies of does on 607 rabbitries. Within a sub-set of 126 farms, we identified 401 does presenting CPTK lesions. The at-risk female population across the 126 farms totalled 152 218 does. From this data, we estimated the relative incidence of the disease at 0.26% of at-risk females on the day of the visit. The median size of farms with females at risk was 400 does (minimum to maximum: 100-3015 does). In this study, age emerged as a significant risk factor: does in their first-pregnancy or first-lactation were more predisposed to CPTK, mostly between days 27 and 32 of gestation. Additionally, 20.2% of females that died from CPTK experienced abortions between days 23 and 30 of pregnancy. Seasonal variation also appeared to influence disease occurrence, with lower incidence during autumn. CPTK in farmed female rabbits carries a poor prognosis, often going unnoticed due to the large number of kindlings in each batch. From this study we infer that the most efficient control strategies on farms were medical prophylaxis and management-based prevention. These include monitoring indoor climate and providing careful feeding for young does. Clinically, it is useful to check for the presence of hard faeces bound with hair.
The growth hormone (GH) gene and its associated regulatory components play critical roles in regulating growth in rabbits and it has been suggested as a potential marker for marker assisted selection. However, the reported association between polymorphisms in GH gene and growth traits in rabbits remains inconsistent. Therefore, this study evaluated the association between polymorphisms in the GH gene and growth performance traits in rabbits using meta-analysis. A systematic review was conducted, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, and studies reporting the association of GH polymorphisms with body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) were screened against predetermined inclusion criteria. A total of 7 studies met the inclusion criteria, from which 21 data points were extracted for the meta-analysis. SPSS software was used to calculate standardised mean differences, perform heterogeneity tests and publication bias assessment, while OpenMeta® Analyst software was used to conduct meta-regression and sensitivity analyses. Six genetic models including the codominant (three models), recessive, dominant and over-dominant were evaluated. GH gene polymorphisms significantly influenced BW under the co-dominant (CC vs. CT) and over-dominant (CT vs.CC+TT) models, with CT genotype exhibiting higher BW. However, no significant association was observed between GH gene polymorphisms and ADG under any genetic model. In addition, heterogeneity was significant across studies, with I² values exceeding 50% for all genetic models, suggesting that systematic differences rather than random sampling error contributed to the observed variations. Meta-regression identified location, genotyping method and breed as significant moderators influencing the association between GH gene polymorphisms and BW. These results suggest that GH gene variants, particularly the CT genotype, may serve as potential markers for improving growth traits in rabbits through selective breeding.
This work studied the effects of nano-chromium (nano-Cr) and trivalent chromium (Cr III) on hormones, semen quality and growth traits in NZW rabbits at sexual puberty age. Thirty-six male rabbits (6-wk-old; 1200±4 g IBW) were penned into 3 groups (12/each): control, Cr (III) as CrCl3 (0.5 mg/animal/wk) and nano-Cr (0.5 mg/animal/wk). The doses were administered individually as oral sips and the study lasted 100 d, until the rabbits reached 20 wk of age. Both Cr (III) and nano-Cr treatments increased T3 and T4 levels with values of 1.22, 1.16, 2.85 and 2.72 ng/mL; P<0.01, respectively, compared to the control. Testosterone and IGF-1 concentrations were highest in the nano-Cr group, reaching 1.22 ng/mL and 0.84 ng/mL, respectively. The Cr (III) group showed the highest final body weight (3502 g), total gain (2367 g) and average daily gain (23.67 g/d), along with the best carcass weight (2710 g) and dressing percentage (77.38%). Reproductive performance was most improved by nano-Cr, which increased sperm concentration (71.87×10⁶/mL), ejaculate volume (0.86 mL), progressive motility (64.17%) and the percentage of live sperm (91.30%), while reducing libido by 6.85 s and nearly doubling the total viable sperm per ejaculate from 28.93×10⁶ to 56.41×10⁶. In conclusion, nano-Cr at 0.5 mg/animal/wk seems to be a more appropiate supplement for boosting reproductive traits in male rabbits at sexual puberty age, while Cr (III) (0.5 mg/ animal/wk) seems to be more useful for meat production purposes.
The present study characterized movement restriction in reproducing does kept in a part-time collective system in parks with different group size (2 or 4 does, i.e., 2 or 4 modules joined to have 100-cm and 200-cm long parks), grouping time (12, 15 or 18 d after kindling) and observation day (at grouping time and after 3 d). For this purpose, the number of different types of hops was considered, i.e. number of single hops and series of consecutive double, triple and multiple hops. On average, single hops accounted for 53.64% of all hops observed; double hops were 28.39% and triple hops averaged 12.56%, whereas multiple hops (>3) accounted for 5.41%. When group size increased from 2 to 4 does, the occurrence of multiple hops increased (3.84 to 6.99% of total hops; P<0.001). The number of hops (whatever type) significantly decreased when grouping time increased (from 10.18 to 8.12 and 6.92 per time interval per doe with grouping at 12, 15 and 18 d post-partum, respectively; P<0.001) and when comparing the grouping day with 3 d after grouping (9.72 vs. 7.09 hops; P<0.001). In conclusion, movement restriction, defined as the inability to perform three consecutive hops, does not occur when the enclosure has a minimum length of 100 cm. Nevertheless, the increase of the park length is associated with an increase in the number of hops (all types), including multiple hops.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with organic zinc (zinc methionine with 12% of Zn) at levels exceeding standard nutritional recommendations on sexual behaviour (reaction time to ejaculation), semen quality and quantity, and sperm production in rabbit bucks. Five months old New Zealand White rabbits (n=33) were randomly assigned to three treatments: T1) basal diet (BD) or control, without the addition of zinc, considering only the provision of the ingredients included in the diet (25 mg Zn kg–1); T2) 150 Zn: BD+150 mg of organic Zn; T3) 200 Zn: BD+200 mg of organic Zn. A completely randomised design was employed, with 11 replicates per treatment. Each buck constituted an experimental unit. Six semen collection sessions were carried out with two ejaculations per buck, one collection per week. The dietary Zn concentration in the diet was shown to affect curvilinear sperm velocity (VCL; P=0.026), curvilinear sperm distance (DCL; P=0.007) and the percentage of normal sperm (PNS; P=0.02). The VCL, DCL and PNS in rabbits with 200 Zn were higher than those in the 150 Zn and the control group. First ejaculates showed greater (P<0.05) reproduction potential due to: 27% less reaction time, 87.4% more presence of gel and increased seminal volume (42.7%), sperm concentration per ejaculate (41.7%), straightness of track (2.8%) and number of seminal doses (8.3), whereas the amplitude of lateral head displacement and curvilinear distance were higher (P<0.05) than in the second ejaculate. The BD bucks and those with 150 mg Zn kg–1 in their diet improved sperm kinematics, seminal quality and reproductive potential. The diet with 200 mg Zn kg–1 (T3) may have adverse effects on the reproductive performance of male rabbits, which may impact the doe’s prolificacy and fertility levels.
Transcriptome sequencing was performed to analyse the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of skeletal muscle in Fujian white rabbits at different stages, to help establish gene expression datasets for further investigation of the mechanisms underlying genetic skeletal muscle growth in Fujian white rabbit. The transcriptomes of skeletal muscle in Fujian white rabbits at five growth stages with 25 rabbits (5 rabbits per stage) were analysed. Double fluorescence staining was performed on skeletal muscle sections at three postnatal stages for muscle fibre classification and statistical analysis. A total of 9737 DEGs were acquired from five stages. The Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that 8249 genes were enriched in 1148 pathways, of which 67 were significantly (P<0.05) enriched, mainly in the mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathway, glucagon signalling pathway and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors signalling pathway associated with normal skeletal muscle development. Among all groups, skipped exons were the most abundant alternative splice event. Many of the DEGs were well known to be related to growth of skeletal muscle in Fujian white rabbits including myogenic factor 5, Myomesin-2, Phosphoglycerate mutase 2, Myostatin and Myogenic factor 6, which were verified by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. These results contribute to define the molecular regulatory mechanism of muscle growth and development in Fujian white rabbits and serve as a theoretical basis for improving the meat production and growth of meat rabbit breeds.
The growing rabbit population has directly contributed to increased meat yields and higher production of by-products, including skins. The skin of local Indonesian rabbits is mostly used as fish feed and fertilizer due to the relatively poor quality of their fur. Rabbit skin can potentially be used as a more economical product such as edible film, due to its high protein content of 67.3% and collagen content of 28.8%. Protein and collagen from rabbit skin can be produced into good quality gelatine. Gelatine plays a vital role in developing biodegradable edible film packaging materials. Gelatine films offer a strong barrier against light, air and odour transfer, but they can be too brittle as packaging materials. This problem needs to be overcome by adding plasticizers such as glycerol. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of glycerol on the functional groups and physical, mechanical and colour properties of edible films made from rabbit skin gelatine. This experiment employed a completely randomised design with five glycerol treatments (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50%). Each treatment was replicated four times. Data were analysed using ANOVA followed by Tukey's test. The results show that there is a good affinity between biopolymers from rabbit skin gelatine and glycerol as indicated by the formation of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) bands. The level of glycerol used has a significant effect (P<0.05) on the mechanical, physical and colour properties. The best edible film from rabbit skin gelatine is produced with 10% glycerol.
Precision livestock farming (PLF) is an established field in many livestock sectors. However, when it comes to rabbit production, it is still emerging. Nevertheless, we believe that the rapid advancements in sensor technologies, data analytics and automation we are witnessing can bring significant and transformative opportunities to the rabbit farming industry. Within this context, this paper explores the potential use of PLF for the rabbit sector. We start by briefly reviewing the current state of the art of PLF applications in other livestock sectors, such as dairy and pig farming, focusing on remote sensing solutions. Then we outline how different technologies can potentially be adapted for rabbit production. Recent rabbit research studies that implement PLF-like technology are then reviewed. We finalise by discussing the challenges of implementing PLF in rabbit farming, including the need for tailored solutions that consider rabbits' specific behavioural and physiological characteristics. When considering the future impact of PLF, early disease detection probably offers the highest potential for rabbit production. Being able to automatically detect early signs of digestive disorders around weaning, particularly in large group-housed growing rabbits where disease spread is a concern, would represent a significant step forward. Additionally, PLF tools can enhance rabbit breeding and genetic programmes by providing detailed and accurate individual phenotypic data. Data can be then used to better define animal management practices that promote positive experiences and affective states, reducing negative social interactions. Besides, precision feeding models could contribute to enhancing feed efficiency for both growing and reproductive rabbits, reducing the negative environmental impact of feeding. To this end, camera monitoring, sound analysis, electronic feeders, accelerometers and other biometric and physiological monitoring technologies can be utilised. The integration of PLF technologies promises to support farmers in meeting the increasingly stringent welfare regulations across the European Union, ultimately enhancing the sustainability and profitability of rabbit production systems. Further research is needed to address the challenges that remain in developing and validating reliable algorithms so that sensors can be used more effectively in diverse rabbit farm conditions.
