A method to increase the consumption of Docosahexanoic acid (DHA) by humans without increasing the fish harvest is presented through the consumption of products from terrestrial animals; these animals receive feeds containing DHA produced from cultured microalgae, and alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) mainly from extruded flax seed. Except for eggs, without this alimentary supplementation, terrestrial animal products have very low DHA levels. After identifying the species assimilating the DHA in large quantities (layers, rabbits, broilers), tests were carried out (21 on layers, 9 on rabbits, 6 on broilers) enabling to determine the contents of DHA that can be achieved in these products. With these DHA enriched feeds, the DHA content of eggs reach 200mg/100g, i.e. 3.5 times more than a standard egg; for the rabbit front leg, this value is also 200mg/100g, i.e. 10 times more than standard rabbit meat; and for chicken breast 76mg/100g, i.e. 4.8 times more than standard chicken meat. Most of these products can claim "Rich in omega-3" or "Source of omega-3" designations. These different animal products can be combined in menus making it possible to reach DHA intake recommendations without increasing fish consumption.

Ce travail présente une méthode permettant d’augmenter la consommation en DHA de la population sans accroitre le prélèvement halieutique, grâce à la production de produits provenant d’animaux terrestres nourris avec des aliments contenant du DHA provenant de microalgues de culture et d’ALA provenant du lin extrudé. Après une identification des espèces fixant le DHA en quantité importante (pondeuse, lapins, poulet de chair), des essais réalisés sur ces animaux (21 sur pondeuses, 9 sur lapins, 6 sur poulets de chair) ont permis de déterminer les conditions d’enrichissement en DHA ainsi que les teneurs en cet acide gras que l’on peut atteindre dans ces produits. Ainsi, avec cette alimentation, le contenu en DHA des œufs est de 200 mg / 100 grammes soit 3,5 fois plus qu’un œuf standard; pour le lapin (par exemple, la gigolette), cette valeur est également de 200 mg / 100 grammes soit 10 fois plus qu’une viande de lapin standard; et pour le poulet de chair (par exemple, le blanc) 83 mg / 100 grammes soit 4 fois plus qu’une viande de poulet de chair standard. La plupart de ces produits peuvent alléguer « Riche en oméga 3 » ou « Source d’oméga 3 ». Ces différents aliments peuvent être associés dans des menus permettant d’atteindre les recommandations d’ingestion de DHA sans augmenter la consommation de poisson, améliorant ainsi la santé de la population et celle de la planète dans le respect des habitudes alimentaires.

The aim of this work was to study the influence of male on reproductive performance of Algerian local population rabbits. Over 1 or 2 years accordi ng to the farm, a total of 274 females and 75 males carried out 1734 mating in three farms in the Tiziouzou area (Algeria). Reproductive performances (mating acceptance rate, fertility rate, litter siz e and litter weight at birth and at weaning) were analyzed according to the male’s age and average we ight at mating time. Results showed that the buck’s average weight had generally no significant effect on reproductive performance. Mating acceptance and fertility were affected by male’s ag e t mating: younger ones whose age was less than 190 days provided the best results (acceptance rate = 85.3 %; fertility rate = 83.1 % vs 73.7% and 73.1% for males older than 330 days at mating). Th ese observations, particularly the effect of male's age on mating results, suggest that the elimination of old males (older than one year) may improve the average production of a rabbitry. Nevertheless this conclusion must be confirmed with other rabbit populations and conditions.

Abstract This chapter discussed the health problems (mainly digestive) linked to the balance of dietary components and the presence of nutrients in excess, mainly in relation to the initial composition of feed ingredients, but also to the feeding strategy. Also highlighted are the feeding strategies (feed quantity and nutritional quality) for the doe and for the growing rabbit. The last section will cover the health consequences of non-nutritional components that are frequently associated with feed ingredients, such as mycotoxins and water quality. The methods for health status assessment that are practical in rabbit breeding were also discussed.