Modelling the lactation curve of rabbit does: Towards a model including fit suitability and biological interpretation

Abstract

This work proposes an adequate empirical model for the 28-day lactation curve of rabbit does, including fit suitability and biological interpretation. A total of 15,400 test-day milk records were used, corresponding to 550 lactations collected from 134 hybrid New Zealand × Californian rabbit does during five consecutive lactations. To develop this model, five different functions were compared (quadratic, potential, beta-modified, gamma and Gauss models), evaluating their fitting ability to mean and individual lactation curves, and the suitability of their parameters to gather the sources of variation (genetic selection level, type of diet, parity order and gestation overlapping degree) on lactation curve shape. The possible relationship between model parameters and main performance traits was also evaluated. From the results of the present work, it may be concluded that beta-modified equation [Milk yield (g/day) = k × (day/30) a × (1 − (day/30)) b ] could be proposed as an alternative to quadratic models for daily milk yield prediction of reproductive rabbit does. When compared to quadratic models, beta-modified model give a slightly better fit to average ( R 2 = 0.986 vs. 0.985; RMSE = 5.648 vs. 5.813) and individual (Residuals = 21.31 vs. 21.37 g; Mean square prediction error = 883.0 vs. 897.2 g 2) lactation curves, especially of those curves showing a lower lactation peak height and a greater persistence of milk yield. However, the most important advantage of the beta-modified model was the greater biological interpretation of its parameters ( k regulates the curve height, while a and b regulate the milk yield of ascending and descending period, respectively) and the ability to gather curve changes. This latter aspect is revealed by the relationship of the parameters with main performance traits of lactating does (energy intake, live weight and body reserves mobilisation). Although further research on developing an optimal model is needed, the use of this type of models could provide additional information for a better understanding of the curve shape effect on the performance, body condition and health of reproductive rabbit does.