The search for sustainable feed ingredients has increased interest in insect-derived proteins for livestock production. This study evaluated the effects of replacing 3% soybean meal with house cricket (Acheta domesticus) meal on carcass traits, meat quality, proximate composition, and fatty acid profile of growing rabbits. Twenty-four weaned New Zealand White rabbits were assigned to either a control (CNT) or a cricket meal diet (ADM) from 35 to 85 days of age. Physical meat quality was evaluated in the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL), while proximate composition and fatty acid profile were determined in LTL and thigh muscles. Carcass performance was not affected by dietary treatment, whereas the cricket meal diet increased adiposity, resulting in greater scapular and perirenal fat deposition (p < 0.001) and a higher fat proportion in the hind leg (p = 0.011). Physical meat quality traits were unaffected, except for higher cooking loss in ADM-fed rabbits (p = 0.039). Cricket meal increased crude fat and modified the fatty acid composition by increasing n-6 PUFA (p = 0.013) and reducing n-3 PUFA (p < 0.001), resulting in a less favorable n-6/n-3 ratio. Overall, cricket meal modified lipid deposition and fatty acid composition without compromising carcass performance, although its greater lipid contribution should be considered when interpreting these effects.

We hypothesized that in dairy cattle maternal energy restriction applied during two gestational windows (up to day 80 or 120 of gestation) impairs ovarian and cardiovascular development in juvenile female offspring. We also investigated the role of maternal leptin and testosterone in developmental programming in calves. Holstein-Friesian heifers were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups; starting 10 days before artificial insemination, they were individually fed at (i) 0.6 of their maintenance energy requirements (M) up to day 80 (Nutrient Restricted, NR80) or (ii) day 120 of gestation (NR120); (iii) 1.8 M until day 120 of pregnancy (Control). Plasma leptin concentrations increased transiently in nutritionally restricted heifers pregnant with a single female calf, but maternal testosterone concentrations were not influenced by diet. Calves had similar body growth, but daughters of NR80 and NR120 had impaired ovarian development, as assessed by reduced gonadal weight, fewer surface antral and primary follicles, and recovered cumulus-oocyte complexes, as well as lower circulating anti-Müllerian hormone concentrations. Cardiovascular morphology and function in the offspring were not influenced by maternal diet, as determined by peripheral arterial blood pressure, echocardiography, post-mortem heart weight, and aortic circumference. Regardless of its duration (until day 80 or 120 of gestation), nutritional restriction resulted in a similar alteration of ovarian development in juvenile progeny, but cardiovascular development was unaltered. Evidence suggests that the window of development that encompasses the peri-ovulatory period to the first 2.6 months of gestation is critical in ovarian programming and that maternal leptin may be involved.

This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with goji berries (Lycium barbarum) on the nutritional profile, oxidative stability, and shelf life of rabbit meat. Thirty-two rabbits were assigned to two dietary treatments: a control diet (CN) and the same diet supplemented with 3% dried goji berries (GJ). Proximate composition and fatty acid profile of the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle were determined at dissection, whereas physical, microbiological, and biochemical parameters were evaluated during refrigerated storage (4 °C; 1, 4, and 10 days) and frozen storage (−20 °C; 60 and 120 days). Dietary supplementation significantly modified the lipid profile of the meat, reducing saturated fatty acids and increasing long-chain n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. During refrigerated storage, lipid peroxidation increased in both groups; however, meat from the GJ group showed significantly lower TBARS values after 10 days (0.22 vs. 0.33 mg MDA/kg; p < 0.001), indicating improved oxidative stability. Lower accumulation of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), reduced formation of biogenic amines, and slower growth of spoilage-related microbial populations, particularly Pseudomonas spp., were also observed in GJ samples. Overall, the GJ diet improved fatty acid composition and delayed degradative processes during storage, suggesting its potential as a functional feed ingredient to enhance rabbit meat quality and shelf life.

This study validated immunoassays for measuring circulating DHEA and DHEA-S in broiler plasma and compared the two biomarkers. A commercially available RIA kit for DHEA and a species-independent ELISA kit for DHEA-S were tested against each other and available literature data. Blood samples were collected from 68 female broilers at slaughter. Most sample concentrations were close to the lower calibration range. DHEA concentrations ranged from 52 to 354 pg/mL, whereas DHEA-S values ranged from 76 to 7320 pg/mL. Both assays showed satisfactory validation results, including good precision (intra- and inter-assay CV ≤ 15%), accuracy (recovery ≥ 99%), linearity (R2 > 0.9; run test p > 0.1), and parallelism between calibrator curves and sample dilutions (ANCOVA p > 0.1). However, the DHEA-S assay showed high cross-reactivity with DHEA (160%), making quantitative DHEA-S determination unreliable; therefore, values should be interpreted as an estimate of combined DHEA/DHEA-S concentrations. Consequently, the higher concentrations measured with the DHEA-S ELISA compared with the DHEA RIA (Bland–Altman bias: −525.8 pg/mL) do not indicate a true predominance of DHEA-S. Nevertheless, both assays may represent useful tools for comparative evaluations among samples, although they do not provide reliable information on the physiological interconversion between the two steroids.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) are recognized for their beneficial effects on male fertility. This study evaluated the protective effects of dietary n-3 PUFAs from extruded linseed, alone or combined with the alga Padina pavonica, against in vitro lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sperm dysfunction in rabbits. Twelve bucks were fed for 60 days a control diet (CNT), a diet containing 5% extruded linseed (L), or 5% extruded linseed plus 0.2% P. pavonica extract (LPP). Ejaculates were exposed in vitro to increasing LPS concentrations (0, 400, and 600 µg/mL), and sperm motility was evaluated at 0, 1, 2, and 4 h using computer-assisted sperm analysis. LPS markedly impaired sperm motility in the CNT group, increasing the percentage of static spermatozoa (p < 0.001) and reducing sperm progressive motility (p < 0.001), with complete immobility observed at 600 µg/mL after 4 h. Conversely, sperm from L and LPP groups maintained significantly higher progressive motility, lower static sperm, and improved kinematic parameters throughout the LPS challenge (p < 0.05). Dietary n-3 PUFA supplementation also attenuated LPS-induced TLR4 activation and reduced lipid peroxidation, as indicated by lower seminal TBARS levels. No histological alterations were detected in the male reproductive tract. These findings indicate that n-3 PUFA supplementation, particularly linseed combined with algae, mitigates LPS-induced sperm dysfunction in vitro.

Kisspeptins are neuropeptides that play a key role in regulating reproductive function. They are also involved in maternal-fetal communication and the development of the placenta in several mammalian species. In humans and cattle, circulating kisspeptin concentrations increase during pregnancy, and the placenta has been proposed as their main source of production. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no data are currently available regarding serum kisspeptin concentrations during canine pregnancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate, for the first time, serum kisspeptin concentrations in pregnant bitches compared with non-pregnant diestrus bitches. Eight clinically healthy German Shepherd bitches were enrolled and divided into two groups: pregnant (n = 4) and non-pregnant diestrus (n = 4). Blood samples were collected from ovulation and every 15 days until the end of pregnancy or diestrus. Pregnancy was diagnosed using ultrasonography at 19 days post-ovulation and was monitored simultaneously with blood sampling. Median serum kisspeptin concentrations throughout the observation period tended to be higher in pregnant bitches, with a statistically significant difference between groups observed on Day 15 post-ovulation (p = 0.029). This early increase in serum kisspeptin concentrations suggests that kisspeptin circulating in the bloodstream deserves further investigation as a potential biomarker for the early detection of pregnancy in bitches. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution given the exploratory nature of the study and its small sample size.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation impairs sperm function; however, its impact on ejaculated rabbit sperm remains unexplored. This dose-response study aims to determine the LPS concentration that negatively affects sperm motility in vitro, while also providing the first identification of TLR4 localization on rabbit spermatozoa. Additionally, it evaluates malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in seminal plasma as an indicator of oxidative stress. Sperm motility was analyzed using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) after incubation with increasing LPS concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, 400, 600, and 800 µg/mL) at multiple time points (0, 1, 2, and 4 h). LPS doses ≥ 400 µg/mL significantly reduced progressive and non-progressive motility, as well as curvilinear velocity (all p < 0.001), while increasing the proportion of static spermatozoa (p < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis identified 300 µg/mL as the threshold dose for motility decline. Immunofluorescence revealed TLR4 localization in the midpiece of sperm tails, with weak labeling in control samples and a marked increase after 4 h of incubation with 400 μg/mL LPS. MDA levels were assessed using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay with a colorimetric kit, showing no significant effect of LPS treatment. No correlation was found between MDA and other semen parameters. ccThese findings identify TLR4 on rabbit sperm for the first time and establish a threshold LPS dose for future in vitro studies.

This study evaluated the efficacy of an active absorbent pad (aPAD) in reducing microbial growth and enhancing the shelf life of rabbit meat stored in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Thigh muscles from 60 rabbits were used, divided into three dietary groups: a control group (CNT), a group supplemented with 5% extruded flaxseed (ELS5%), and a group with 3.5% extruded flaxseed and 0.2% Padina pavonica algae (LPP3.5%). Samples were packaged in MAP (70% O2, 30% CO2) with either a conventional pad (nPAD) or aPAD and analyzed at 1, 4, 7, 14, 21 days. Microbiological analysis revealed a significantly lower total viable count at 21 days in the ELS5%aPAD group. For coagulase-positive staphylococci, the CNTaPAD group showed lower microbial counts at both day 4 and day 21 (p < 0.05). Enterobacteriaceae reductions were observed at 24 h post packaging in both the CNTaPAD and LPP3.5%aPAD groups and at day 14 in ELS5%aPAD. Lipid oxidation (TBARS) was also lower in aPAD samples, particularly in LPP3.5%, which remained below 1.5 mg MDA/kg compared to >2.5 mg MDA/kg in nPAD (p < 0.05). Sensory attributes such as texture and color were better preserved with aPAD. These findings underscore the effectiveness of aPAD in MAP to control microbial growth, limit oxidation, and extend the shelf life of omega-3-enriched rabbit meat, providing a promising solution for functional meat product preservation.

Goji berries (Lycium barbarum), rich in antioxidant and immunomodulatory compounds, have shown potential benefits for male reproductive health. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of dietary Goji berry (GB) supplementation on immune-related and antioxidant gene expression in the male reproductive tract of rabbits. Eighteen 7-month-old New Zealand White rabbit bucks were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group (n = 9) receiving a standard diet, and a Goji group (n = 9) receiving the same diet supplemented with 1% GB. After 60 days of nutritional adaptation and then 60 days of treatment, tissues from the testes, epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands were collected and analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR. Gene expression analysis focused on immune markers (TLR4, IL-1β, IL-10, and TNFα) and antioxidant enzymes (SOD1, CAT, and GPX). Significant modulation was observed only in the epididymis, where TLR4 and GPX were significantly downregulated in the Goji group (p = 0.0274 and p = 0.007, respectively), while IL-1β and TNFα showed a downward trend. No significant differences were found in the other tissues. These results suggest that Goji berry supplementation exerts tissue-specific effects, particularly in the epididymis, by modulating inflammation and oxidative stress. This supports its potential use as a natural nutraceutical strategy to enhance male fertility in rabbits.

Storage of Blood units determines the accumulation of harmful substances, such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and free hemoglobin (fHb). These may lead to several complications, including cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and metabolic disorders in recipients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of MDA and fHb in canine leukoreduced (LR) and non-leukoreduced (NLR) packed red blood cells (pRBC) during the storage period of six weeks. Blood samples were collected from six healthy adult Weimaraner dogs (three females and three males). Whole blood was stored in citrate-phosphate-dextrose saline-adenine-glucose-mannitol additive solution (CPD-SAGM) bags and, for each donor, two pRBC units (one NLR and one LR) were produced and stored at 4 °C for 42 days. Samples were collected on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42, and analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA) using a canine-specific ELISA method, and for free hemoglobin (fHb) using the Harboe direct spectrophotometric method. The results demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in MDA accumulation in LR-pRBC compared to NLR-pRBC blood units and lower values of fHb in LR at T6. However, no significant difference in fHb levels were demonstrated. These findings suggest that leukoreduction may limit oxidative stress during blood storage, reducing the potential adverse effects of transfusions related to oxidative damage.

Birds exhibit naturally high blood glucose concentrations, a physiological trait that, unlike in mammals, does not lead to typical pathological consequences such as diabetes mellitus. This review explores the unique features of glucose metabolism in birds, with a particular focus on the anatomy and function of the avian pancreas, the roles of key hormones such as insulin and glucagon, as well as the distinctive mechanisms of glucose absorption and utilization. Evidence suggests a dominant role of glucagon over insulin, along with adaptations such as insulin resistance and antioxidant defenses, which may contribute to birds’ apparent resilience to hyperglycemia-related complications. Despite these adaptations, cases of diabetes mellitus have been reported, primarily as secondary to other pathologies, including pancreatitis, hemochromatosis, infections, and toxicities. Diagnosis remains challenging due to interspecies variability and the lack of standardized assays. Treatment, mainly via insulin therapy, has shown mixed outcomes, often limited by the underlying disease severity. This review highlights the need for species-specific diagnostic tools and a deeper investigation into the pathophysiology of glucose regulation in birds, aiming to improve clinical outcomes, develop standardized therapies, and ultimately broaden the perspectives of comparative endocrinology.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intra-follicular treatment (IFT) with luteinizing hormone (LH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in dairy heifers. Intra-follicular treatment with LH (2 µg, 0.2 ml, LH group), hCG (10 IU, 0.2 ml, hCG group) or saline (0.2 ml, S group) was done into the dominant follicle on the seventh day of a synchronized oestrous cycle. A response of the follicles subjected to IFT on D7 as well as plasma progesterone concentration on the day of IFT (D0) and seven days later (D7) were evaluated. Ovulation and development of a new corpus luteum occurred in 89.3%, 92.9%, and 3.7% of treated heifers in the LH, hCG, and S group, respectively. Plasma progesterone concentration was greater on D7 in comparison to D0 in the LH and hCG group (6.31 vs. 11.31 and 6.68 vs. 9.56, respectively). Intra-follicular treatment with LH and hCG had similar effects. The results can be used in research or in practice to treat persistent cases of ovarian dysfunction in cattle.

This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from extruded linseed, alone and combined with Padina pavonica algae extract, on growth performance and metabolic status in fattening rabbits. Sixty New Zealand White rabbits were assigned to three groups, as follows: control (CNT), L (5% linseed), and LPP (3.5% linseed + 0.2% algae extract) from weaning (37 days) to slaughter (85 days). Productive performance was assessed through body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and feed intake (FI). Blood was sampled at weaning, 60 days, and slaughter and analyzed for insulin, leptin, cortisol, thyroid hormones (T3, T4), glucose, and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs). The L group showed significantly higher ADG (41.0 ± 1 g/d) and improved FCR (4.1 ± 0.2) compared to LPP (ADG: 37 ± 1 g/d, FCR: 4.6 ± 0.2; p = 0.001). No differences were observed in final BW or FI among groups (p < 0.001). Insulin peaked at 60 days across all groups (p < 0.001), with the LPP group showing the lowest levels (9.8 ± 0.9 µUI/mL; p = 0.043). T3 and T4 increased significantly with age (p < 0.001), and the T3/T4 ratio varied by diet and time (p = 0.005). Cortisol rose only at slaughter (p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with insulin and thyroid hormones. The results suggest that omega-3-rich nutraceuticals can enhance growth performance without disrupting metabolic balance and may modulate specific hormonal responses due to their bioactive compounds.

The study aimed to propose sensitive, specific and easy pregnancy diagnosis for American Bison. Trans-rectal Palpation and Ultrasonography (TRPUS), concentration of Pregnancy Associated Glycoproteins (PAG), Progesterone (P4), Estrone (E1), Estrone-Sulfate (E1S) in serum and P4 and E1S in feces were compared. Immunoassay was used for PAG, whereas steroids were assayed using Liquid Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry. Pregnancy and its period were retrospectively assessed after calving. Animals included were distributed as follows: 40 were non-pregnant, 27 were in their second and 15 in their third trimester of gestation. Fisher’s test was used to determine sensitivity and specificity of TRPUS. Thresholds leading to best sensitivities and specificities for hormonal assays were determined using Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves. Although TRPUS requires contention, palpation skills, it was conclusive in 70.63% of cases and good sensitivity (97.50%) and decent specificity (83.33%) were observed. Concentrations of PAG, P4, E1S and E1 in serum were higher in Pregnant animals (P), with thresholds giving decent specificity and sensitivity (lower sensitivity for E1 and E1S: 92.11%; lower specificity for P4: 93.48%). In feces, P4 and E1S were higher in P: pregnancy diagnosis using E1S assay in feces showed 100% of sensitivity and specificity. In conclusion, assaying E1S in feces during the two last trimesters of American Bisons pregnancy is a sensitive and specific gestation diagnosis. Pregnancy diagnosis using TRPUS can be useful in ranches but requires contention and skill adaptation. Serum hormonal assays can help evaluating the pregnancy period but also require contention.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with 5% extruded linseed, with or without 0.2% Padina pavonica algae extract, on semen quality and fatty acid metabolism in rabbit bucks. Forty-five New Zealand White rabbit bucks were divided into three groups (15 per diet) and fed for 120 days either a control diet (C), a diet supplemented with 5% linseed (L), or a linseed diet plus 0.2% algae extract (LPP). The semen characteristics, the fatty acid composition of blood, liver, and testis, and estimated indexes of lipid metabolism were assessed. The results showed that the use of linseed in both L and LPP diets had a significant effect on some semen traits (concentration, progressive motility, linearity, amplitude of lateral head displacement, beat cross frequency, acrosome reacted/capacitated sperm) compared to C group. In the tissues analysed, significant effects were observed only in relation to the linseed administration. In conclusion, while linseed positively influenced sperm quality and lipid composition of tissues, the Padina pavonica extract had only a minor effect, limited to hepatic DHA level.

Corticosterone (CCS) concentration in chicken skeletal muscle could be a potential Animal-Based Measure that could give ex-post indications of adaptive responses to different farming systems and management practices. The aim of the present trial was to measure CCS concentrations in chicken skeletal muscle and assess their relationship with total plasma CCS concentrations. Blood and muscle samples were recovered respectively at the beginning and the end of an industrial slaughter line from 48 identified female broilers aged 84 d. Muscle juice samples were obtained by high-speed centrifugation, and analytical validation of a commercial CCS EIA kit has been carried out. Regarding repeatability (precision), intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV, n = 12 replicates) resulted 4.2 %. Inter-assay CV (2 replicates in n = 4 assay sessions) was 11.9 %. The line resulting from serial dilutions of a pooled muscle juice sample has been compared with the calibrators line for parallelism and with the expected values line for linearity. The slopes of the obtained and calibrators lines were not different (F = 4.082, P = 0.090). A strong correlation was found between the observed and expected concentrations (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = 0.991, P < 0.001). The mean RR (recovery rate, accuracy) of different quantities of hormone added to the pooled muscle juice was 90.0 ± 1.6 %. The mean CCS concentration in muscle juice samples was 455.1 ± 46.8 pg/mL (range from 47.5 to 1,340.0 pg/mL). The mean total plasma CCS concentration was 11.2 ± 0.4 ng/mL (range 7.0 to 19.5 ng/mL). The mean ratio of individual muscle:plasma CCS concentration was 0.040 ± 0.004, ranging from 0.005 to 0.133. Muscle and plasma CCS levels were moderately correlated (r = 0.324, P = 0.025). It is concluded that this EIA kit can provide reliable results for measuring CCS concentrations in juice obtained by high-speed centrifugation of chicken muscle, directly without previous extraction. Such a method can be a further tool for the assessment of animal physiological responses, stress, and welfare.

Background/Objectives: Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) have shown great promise as diagnostic and therapeutic tools, as well as pharmacological nanocarriers. Various strategies are being explored to develop EVs for monitoring, imaging, loading with pharmacological agents, and surface decoration with tissue-specific ligands. EVs derived from Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSC-EVs) are of particular interest both as therapeutics per se and as natural nanocarriers for the targeted delivery of biotherapeutics. Methods: In this study, we investigated the ability of different tags to deliver a reporter protein into canine MSC-EVs with the aim of identifying the most effective endogenous loading mechanism. To this aim, canine MSCs were engineered to express the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) fused to CD63, Syntenin-1, TSG101, and the palmitoylation signal of Lck, which were expected to promote GFP incorporation into EVs. Overexpression of tagged GFP in canine MSCs was confirmed by Western blotting and examined by confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy to map intracellular localization. Results: All tags were able to deliver GFP into EVs. Syntenin-1 showed relatively high loading efficiency and secretion index but exhibited a diffuse localization pattern in the transfected cells. The palmitoylation signal showed low loading efficiency and localization specificity. TSG101 displayed a morphological pattern consistent with specific localization in endosomal structures, but its low expression level prevented further evaluations. Finally, CD63 showed the highest expression efficiency, as GFP-CD63 levels were approximately 5-fold higher than untagged GFP. Conclusions: In conclusion, CD63 emerged as the most suitable tag for canine MSC-EV engineering. Indeed, even if the secretion index favours Syntenin-1, CD63’s higher abundance in the lysate suggests its substantial post-secretion uptake. Further studies aimed at elucidating CD63’s specific contribution and identifying the domains involved in vesicle trafficking could provide valuable insights into EV bioengineering.

To the best of our knowledge, no studies in the literature have reported on the relationship between the pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) concentration and undernutrition during pregnancy in sheep. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of undernutrition on the blood concentration of PAGs in pregnant ewes carrying single and multiple fetuses, undergoing either dietary energy restriction or receiving 100% of their energy requirements during the period of maximal placenta growth. From d 24 to 100 of pregnancy, the ewes were fed ryegrass hay and two different iso-proteic concentrates, fulfilling either 100% of the ewes’ energy requirements (control group; n = 30, 14 singleton pregnancies, 16 multiple pregnancies) or only 50% (feed-restricted group; n = 29; 11 singleton pregnancies, 18 multiple pregnancies). Blood samples were collected from all the ewes the day before intravaginal sponge insertion (T0) and, thereafter, every 30 days starting from d 24 of gestation (T1) until d 30 after parturition (T6), to determine the PAG, progesterone, NEFA, total protein, and glucose concentrations. Our results showed that PAG concentrations are not only influenced by the number of fetuses, but also by the ewe’s diet. In particular, the PAG marginal means were higher in the feed-restricted group than in the control group (7.8 ± 0.6 and 10.8 ± 0.9 ng/mL for the control and feed-restricted groups, respectively; p = 0.040). This finding confirms that a dietary restriction between d 24 and d 100 of gestation leads to a growth in placental functions as inferred from the increase in the concentration of the PAG levels. Therefore, the measurement of PAG concentrations, in addition to serving as a marker of pregnancy, can also serve as a marker of placental functionality.

This study examined the effects of extruded linseed and algae Padina pavonica extract on the reproductive performance, milk production, and gastrointestinal health of female rabbits. Thirty-six nulliparous New Zealand White female rabbits were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 12) with different diets. The control group (CNT) received a standard diet, while the other two groups received modified isoenergetic diets in which part of the CNT diet ingredients were replaced with 5% extruded linseed (L5%) and 5% extruded linseed plus 0.2% Padina pavonica algae extract (L5%PP). The rabbits were monitored from artificial insemination until the weaning of the rabbit kits, evaluating different reproductive parameters. Our results indicate that extruded linseed and alga Padina pavonica extract did not affect the feed intake or body weight of female rabbits. Additionally, no clinically significant histological changes were observed at the gastrointestinal level. The reproductive parameters, including litter size, litter weight, and milk yield, showed no significant differences among groups. Notably, perinatal and pre-weaning mortalities were reduced in litters born to females receiving omega-3 integrated diets (p < 0.05). While these findings are promising, further studies are needed to confirm these results and explore the specific mechanisms by which omega-3 affects reproductive function and litter health.