Baladi Rabbits Research Articles

Effects of dietary substitution of Soybean meal by dried Azolla on blood and serum parameters, productive and reproductive traits, and economic efficiency of rabbit does as well as semen quality of bucks

An experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary substitution of dried Azolla (Azolla pinnata) in different ratios by soybean meal on productive and reproductive performances, hematological and serum traits, and economic efficiency of rabbit does as well as semen quality of males. Forty mature does and eight males of Black Balady rabbits aged seven and eight months were assigned to 1 of 4 dietary groups: 0 (control), 20, 30, and 40% of soybean protein substituted with dried Azolla protein. Data were analyzed using repeated measures of statistical software computer program package. There were no significant differences among groups in number of services per conception as well as parturition intervals (days) with a superiority of 30% group over the control and other two groups. Average litter weight was significantly (P<0.05) superior in the 30% replacement group. There were no significant differences in live body weight either at birth or at weaning among the four tested groups and the 30% replacement groups recorded the highest significant daily weight gain of bunnies during the whole experimental period. All Azolla groups recorded better results in the studied traits of bucks' semen compared to the control. Azolla diets did not show any adverse effects on the studied blood parameters. The 30% replacement of the soybean protein group showed the best economic return compared to the other two replacement groups and the control. In conclusion, Azolla can safely and economically replace soybean protein at the rate of 30% in adult female rabbits' diets. Keywords: Azolla, Body weight, Rabbit, Reproduction, Semen.

Influence of polymorphisms in candidate genes on carcass and meat quality traits in rabbits.

Candidate gene is a powerful approach to study gene-trait association and offers valuable information for genetic improvement using marker-assisted selection. The current work aimed to study the polymorphisms of four single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) at located growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II), fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO), and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) genes, and their association with the carcass, and meat quality traits in rabbits. The SNPs were genotyped using RFLP-PCR in New Zealand White and local Baladi rabbits. The results revealed that the heterozygous genotype was the most frequent in all cases, except for the FTO SNP in LB rabbits. There was a significant effect for GH genotypes on meat lightness after slaughter and hind-part weight. While, IGF-II mutation significantly affected slaughter, hot carcass, commercial carcass, and hind-part weights. The FTO SNP was associated with cooking loss and intramuscular fat weight, and the IRS-1 SNP was significantly associated with drip loss and intramuscular fat. Specific-breed effects were obtained for IGF-II SNP on cooking loss, and for the intramuscular fat. Although the results suggested that these mutations are useful candidate genes for selection, more research for detecting more variants associated with carcass and meat quality traits in rabbits are recommended.

Impact of Orally Quaffed Antioxidant on Growth, Carcass Quality, Digestibility, and Hemo-Biochemical Parameters, and Economic Efficiency of Black Balady Rabbits

Impact of Orally Quaffed Antioxidant on Growth, Carcass Quality, Digestibility, and Hemo-Biochemical Parameters, and Economic Efficiency of Black Balady Rabbits

Effect of Partially Substitution of Soybean Protein with Azolla (Azolla pinnata) on Productive Performance and Carcass Traits of Growing Rabbits

The present experimental work investigated partially substituting soybean protein with different levels of dried Azolla' effect on productive performance, carcass traits and economic efficiency of growing rabbits. A number of 36 local Black Balady rabbits, 5 weeks' old were weighed and divided into four equal groups (3 replicates each). The 1st group fed a basal diet (without Azolla), while the 2nd,3rd and 4th groups were fed diets contained 20, 30 and 40%, respectively dried Azolla substituted for soybean protein. All Azolla diets resulted in the highest (P<0.05) final body weight values at 14 weeks' age over the control. Weight gain from 5 to 14 weeks' age took the same trend. No significant alternations of dietary Azolla levels was noticed on feed intake, feed conversion ratio and performance index. Viability percentage recorded the highest percent for group fed 30% Azolla compared with the control. Rabbits fed Azolla at 20 and 30% of soybean protein recorded lower serum cholesterol values than the control. The different levels of Azolla, especially 10.08% Azolla (40% of soybean protein) resulted in improving serum HDL. Most blood hematology traits were not affected by dietary Azolla inclusion in the rabbits' diets. Carcass traits were not influenced by different levels of Azolla substitution. Conclusively, the inclusion of dried Azolla substitution up to 40% of soybean protein in the diet of growing rabbits positively affected growing rabbits' productive performance and had no adverse influence on blood biochemical and carcass traits under Egyptian environmental condition.

EFFECT OF ADDING CITRIC ACID (CA) TO CORN DISTILLERS DRIED GRAINS WITH SOLUBLES (DDGS) DIETS ON REPRODUCTIVE AND PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF RABBITS

This study aimed to investigate and evaluate the effect of feeding two DDGs levels with or without citric acid on reproductive and productive performance of Black Baladi rabbits. The experiment used Fifteen mature female and fifteen males at seven and eight months' age with average live body weights (LBW) of 2900 ±100 g and 3300 ±100 g, respectively. Following, Forty-five produced growing bunnies with average LBW of 511±13 g at five weeks age lasted for six weeks growing period (5-11 weeks). All experimental rabbits were fed ad libitum on T1: Basal diet without DDGs and citric acid; CA (Control), T2: diet contained 40% DDGs, T3: diet contained 50% DDGs, T4: 40% DDGs and T5: 50% DDGs plus 1% CA each. Feeding DDGs diets with or without CA did not affect some reproductive traits of does and litter size at birth and weaning. While, litter weight significantly and live weight gain (non-significantly) improved with 40% DDGs plus CA at birth and weaning. Mortality rate significantly increased in DDGs groups during suckling period, but decreased with CA. Semen quality traits were improved with 40% DDGs plus CA. The LBW and daily weight gain (DWG) of growing rabbits improved with CA. Average daily feed intake/rabbit non-significantly increased and feed conversion ratio significantly improved with 40% DDGs with and without CA. The DDGs diets were of positive impact on rabbits blood parameters and slaughtering weights as well.It conclusion, the use of DDGs in the diets of mature and growing rabbits up to 40% with adding CA is fruitful in reproductive and productive traits of rabbits.

Effect of Spirulina platensis Supplementation in Growing Rabbit's Diet on Productive Performance and Economic Efficiency

The current study carried out to assessment the effect of addition of low levels 0.3 and 0.6 g/kg diet of Spirulina platensis (SP) on the productive performance and economic efficiency parameters of growing Red Balady rabbits for 8 weeks. A total of 36 growing rabbits (6-week old) were randomly assigned into three dietary experimental treatments (12 rabbits of each), that was conducted from 6 to 14 weeks of age. The obtained results revealed that addition of SP to the diet of growing rabbits at level 0.6 g/kg diet led to significantly increased of growth performance parameters and improved feed conversion ratio, as well as led to insignificantly enhanced of carcass traits, and hematological and economic efficiency parameters compared to those fed the low level (0.3 g/kg diet) or those fed free SP diet. Thus, it could be concluded that the useful addition of SP for improving the productive and economic performance of growing Red Balady rabbits, especially at the tested level 0.6 g SP/kg diet.

Prenatal developmental study of the ovaries of the Baladi rabbits (oryctolagus cuniculus)

This study was carried out to find out the histological changes of the ovaries of the Baladi rabbits at different prenatal periods. A hundred Baladi rabbit embryos and fetuses were used in this study. The pregnant rabbits were euthanized, dissected and, subsequently, the embryos and fetuses were collected. The samples were fixed with modified Davidson's fixative and 10% neutral buffered formalin for 24 to 48 hours and then subjected to routine paraffin embedding technique. They sections were stained by hematoxylin-eosin, Crossman’s trichrome and Gomori's reticulin stains. Stained sections were examined by light microscope. The study revealed that the ovarian differentiation with the appearance of its cortex and medulla occurred at the 19th day postconception. The oogonial nests were observed within the ovarian cortex at the 24th day of fetal rabbit life. The primitive tunica albuginea ovarii could be recognized at the 28th day postconception. No primordial follicle occurred throughout the fetal rabbit life.

Effect of Spirulina platensis Supplementation to Rabbits' Does Diets on Reproductive and Economical Performance تأثیر الإضافة الغذائیة لطحلب السبیرولینا فى علائق أمهات الأرانب على الکفاءة التناسلیة والإقتصادیة

Spirulina platensis (SP) is the powder of microscopic green algae produced and consumed for times all over the world, besides in Africa also for its nutritional and pharmacological properties. Thus, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary SP on the reproductive and economic efficiency parameters of adult Red Balady rabbits for 65 days. The results revealed that 0.6 g SP / kg diet led to insignificant increased of the productive performance of adult and kids' rabbits, serum biochemical and economic efficiency parameters. However, this level of SP significantly improved all tested semen quality parameters and serum lipid profiles of adult rabbits compared to those fed the low tested level of SP (0.3g / kg diet) or SP-untreated group. Based in these findings, 0.6g SP / kg diet is more useful level to potentially improve the productive and reproductive performance parameters, which sequentially led to increase the economic efficiency parameters of breeding the adult Red Balady rabbits.

IMPACT OF INFECTION WITH FASCIOLA Spp. ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS IN RABBITS

Liver fluke are common parasites of herbivores in most of Middle East countries and egypt. The chronic and acute infections with 10 & 20 metacercaria of this parasite cause biliary liver cirrhosis in rabbits that leads to huge economic losses. This cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of fascioliosis in slaughtered rabbits in Giza governorate. In egypt Fasciola gigantica was responsible for V-Line and Black Baladi rabbits total liver condemnations in infected groups. The infection impacts on female rabbits was more than males (p<.0001) in most groups for both strains. Liver condemnations due to fascioliasis were more affected in body weight and feed consumption, feed conversion, heart, kidney and carcass characterestic so it`s low economic efficiency. Blood parametars showed high significant (p<.0001) between treated groups of strains. Fascioliasis is a hepatic parasitic infection in many mammalian species. The pathogenic effect on the definitive host begins with the ingestion of metacercariae, which become excysted and released the juvenile fluke in the intestinal lumen. The juvenile flukes then migrate through the intestinal wall into the peritoneal cavity and penetrate into the liver through the liver capsule. In some parasitic diseases, liver is an important organ that is infected with parasites . Rabbits fed with parasites can cause reduction on number of progeny production and many disorders such as diarrhea, loss of weight gain, abdominal pain and anemia. Fascioliasis considered the top of all the domestic rabbit’s parasitic zoonotic worldwide infection that is endemic in a tropical area and Egypt. Fascioliasis reduces animal productivity, weight gain and production of meat and milk. In addi‌tion, it causes metabolic disorders, and secondary infections due to decrease immunity by chronic fascioliasis and liver condemnation during postmortem of carcass while the acute fascioliasis may lead to mortalities. The rabbits exposed to F. gigantica infection 10 MC or 20 MC concentration of F.gigantica affected negativelly on productive performance and the hygiene of improved or Baladi rabbit herds.

Effect of Stocking Density with Supplementation Probiotic on Productive and Economical Performance in Local Growing Rabbits

An indoor experiment with factorial design (3 × 2) was conducted to investigate the effect of different levels of dietary Saltose Ex® probiotic on productive performance and economic efficiency parameters of growing black Balady rabbits reared under different stocking density (SD) rates for 7 weeks. A total of 72 rabbits (7 weeks old) were divided into six treatments. The experimental treatments were being as follow; T1: rabbits fed basal diet (BD) + 0.0 g probiotic / Kg diet and reared under SD of 3 rabbits / cage, T2: rabbits fed BD + 0.4 g probiotic / Kg diet and reared under SD of 3 rabbits / cage, T3 : rabbits fed BD + 0.0 g probiotic / Kg diet and reared under SD of 4 rabbits / cage, T4: rabbits fed BD + 0.4 g probiotic / Kg diet and reared under SD of 4 rabbits / cage, T5: rabbits fed BD + 0.0 g probiotic / Kg diet and reared under SD of 5 rabbits / cage and T6: rabbits fed BD + 0.4 g probiotic / Kg diet and reared under SD of 5 rabbits / cage during the period from 7 to 14 weeks of age. The obtained results revealed that addition of 0.4 g Saltose Ex®/Kg diet not only alleviated the drastic effects of high SD on rabbits, but also significantly improved of growth performance, nutrients utilization, carcass quality traits, microbial activity, hematological parameters, besides it led to slightly increased of economic efficiency parameters of growing rabbits especially those reared under high SD (5 rabbits / cage). Thus, it could be concluded the addition of 0.4 g Saltose Ex® / Kg diet had useful and practical effects on performance of growing black Balady rabbits reared under high stocking density, specifically reared in cages.

Repair of Articular Cartilage Defects using Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Rabbits

The present study was performed to examine the effect of intra- articular injection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) and chondrogenic differentiated mesenchymal stem cells (CD- MSCs) on the repair of articular cartilage defects in rabbits. Twenty-five adult female baladi rabbits were used in this work. 5 rabbits were used for preparation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and their left knees were not subjected for the surgical procedure and used as normal control group. The remaining twenty rabbits were subjected for surgically induced cartilage defects in their left knees through a small medial parapatellar incision using bone curette. In the next day, the rabbits were divided into four groups: group I was not injected intraarticularly, group II injected intra-articularly by a single dose of saline, group III injected intra-articularly by a single dose of BM-MSCs and group IV injected intra-articularly by a single dose of CD-MSCs. After 8 weeks from the time of intra-articular injection. On time the rabbits were sacrificed and the entire knee joints were excised and examined. Groups I and II showed marked degenerative changes in their articular cartilage. The articular surface healed by fibrocartilage in group III, while in group IV the articular surface healed by hyaline cartilage. Treatment by CD-MSCs promotes a better healing effect on the articular cartilage defects of injured knee joints in rabbit’s model and has a remarkable superiority of repair than BM-MSCs. This can prevent the progress of cartilage defect into osteoarthritis which was a harmful disease.

USING DRIED CHICORY (CICHORIUM INTYBUS L.) LEAVES HERBAL ADDITIVE IN RABBIT DIETS

This experiment was carried out to study the effect of some feed additives (dried chicory leaves) on growth performance of black Balady rabbits, nutrients digestibilities, feeding values, carcass traits, some blood constituents, and caecal activity. A total number of 48 weaned rabbits aged 6 weeks, with average body weight 740 g were used in this study. The experimental animals were individually housed and divided randomly into four similar groups (12 each) using complete randomized block design. Four experimental dietary treatments were designed by using the basal ration with the addition dried chicory leaves at 0.00, 0.25, 0.75 or 1.25g / rabbits for control (T0) and tested rations T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Results showed that, rabbits in T2 showed significantly (P<0.05) the highest live body weight (LBW) and total gain followed by T3 and T1, while the lowest values were associated with (control) one at 10-14 weeks of age. Also the significant highest feed intake value was associated with the tested diet T2 in comparison with that of control and the other tested rations. Feed conversion and performance index were marked improved by the tested rations in comparison with control, however the differences among them did not significant. Also, digestion coefficients and feeding values were significantly the highest with T2 in comparison with the control one, but mostly the nutrients digestibilities and feeding values of the other tested rations were insignificant higher than those of control one. Almostly, carcass traits were significant (P<0.05) higher with all tested rations than those of control one. Rabbits in T2 showed significantly the highest (P<0.05) concentrations of total protein and albumin and insignificant higher for rabbits fed T1 and T3 chicory herb than those of control one. However, activities of Aspartate (AST) and Alanine (ALT) aminotransferase enzymes were significant (P<0.05) higher with all the tested treatments than those of control one, being the highest value was occurred with T2. Inversely, the concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol and uric acid were significant (P<0.05) lower with all tested rations than those of control one, being the lowest values were associated with T2 and T3 rations. And show that, no significant differences were found between treatments in caecal pH value. While, caecal TVFAs concentration was significantly increased (P<0.05), but ammonia concentration was decreased for rabbits fed T2 diet compared with T3 and control one. It could be concluded that diet of T2 led to an improvement in growth performance of rabbits and nutrients digestibility.

Antioxidant and developmental capacity of retinol on the in vitro culture of rabbit embryos.

SummaryOxidative stress is a major cause of defective embryo development during in vitro culture. Retinoids are recognized as non-enzymatic antioxidants and may have an important role in the regulation of cell differentiation and vertebrate development. However, there are not enough reports discussing the antioxidant and developmental capacity of retinoids, including retinol (RT), on the in vitro development of embryos recovered from livestock animals, particularly in rabbit species. Therefore, morula embryos obtained from nulliparous Red Baladi rabbit does were cultured for 48 h in TCM199 medium in the absence of RT (control group) or in the presence of RT at concentrations of 10, 100 and 1000 nM. The developmental capacity to the hatched blastocyst stage, the antioxidant biomarker assay and the expression of several selected genes were analyzed in each RT group. The data show that RT significantly (P<0.001) promoted the embryo hatchability rate at the concentration of 1000 nM to 69.44% versus 29.71% for the control. The activity of malondialdehyde (MDA) level was significantly (P<0.05) lower in the RT groups than in the control group, while the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were significantly (P<0.05) higher following treatment with RT. Furthermore, RT treatment considerably upregulated the relative expression of gap junction protein alpha 1 (GJA1), POU class 5 homeobox 1 (POU5F1) and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) genes compared with the control group. The current study highlights the potential effects of RT as antioxidant in the culture medium on the in vitro development of rabbit embryos.

Microscopic Anatomy of Sertoli and Leydig Cells During Fetal Development in Baladi Rabbit

Fifty three baladi rabbit embryos and fetuses were used in this study. The results revealed that the testicular differentiation occurred with the formation of the testicular cords with their constituents, gonocytes and primitive Sertoli cells at the 18^th day postconception. The Sertoli cells were increased in number from 20^th day postconception onwards and they appeared as small sized cells with oval darker nuclei. The Leydig cells were demonstrated at the 20^th day of gestation life as clusters of polyhedral large cells with strongly acidophilic finely granular cytoplasm and large, vesicular, spherical and eccentric nuclei. At 28^th day postconception up to the full term rabbit fetus, the Leydig cells of the testis showed a marked reduction in size and number.

Meat Characteristics and Quality Changes during Storage of Boer Crossbred Goat Dressed via Conventional-Skinning and Singeing Methods

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of feeding different dietary fat supplements in the finisher rations of Baladi rabbits, including sesame oil (SO), olive oil sediments (OOS), and poultry grease (PG), in comparison to the traditional oil supplement, the soybean soap stock oil (SS), on growth performance, blood lipid profile, dressing percentage and carcass cut, and meat quality: water holding capacity (WHC) and cell forming unit (CFU). A total of 48 Baladi rabbits were used, with individual body weights (BW) of 519 ± 22 g at the beginning of the experiment. Rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups of 12, and those in each group were individually fed cereal grain-soybean meal (SBM) with a fixed amount ( i.e . 30 g/kg dry matter (DM)) of oil, being either soybean oil (SOY), olive oil sediments (OOS), recycled restaurant oil (RRO), or poultry grease (PG). All rations were isonitrogenous and contained iso-metabolizable energy (ME). At the end of the 44 day feeding trial, all animals were slaughtered. Rabbits fed a SOY supplemented diet consumed more (P < 0.05) feed than those fed the OOS, RRO, or PG supplemented diets. However, rabbits fed the SOY had a better (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio than rabbits fed the OOS, PG, or RRO diets. Oil source had no effect on carcass components weights. Liver was heavier (P < 0.05) in rabbits fed the SOY supplemented diet. However, the RRO fed rabbits had heavier (P < 0.05) small intestine, large intestine and cecum. In conclusion, the positive effects of the tested oil supplements ( i.e. RRO, OOS, PG) on the studied performance and carcass traits is encouraging, but more investigation is needed to identify the optimal levels for these supplements in various diets of local rabbits. doi: 10.14456/WJST.2016.10

Some Biochemical and Bacteriological Studies on Mortality in Newly Born Rabbits

Sixty swabs from freshly dead rabbits 3-4 week old (20 cloacae, 20 mouth and 20 nasals) were collected for bacteriological examination. Out of 60 examined samples 33 (55%) were positive for bacteria distributed (16 cloacae, 5 mouth and 12 nasal) in single 28.33% (17) and mixed 26.67 (16) isolates, the main isolated bacteria was E. coli. Antibiogram study revealed that amoxicillin was the most effective drug antibiotic against isolated E. coli. A total of 60 healthy balady rabbits, 3-4 week old proved that free from E. coli infection were divided into 4 equal groups (15 each), 1st group healthy rabbits kept as control group, 2ndgroup healthy rabbits treated with 25mg amoxicillin/kg b.wt once daily for 5 consecutive days in drinking water, 3rd and 4th group were experimentally infected with E. coli was done at 21th day, 3rd group was infected rabbits non treated and 4th group infected rabbits treated with 25mg amoxicillin/kg b.wt once daily for 5 consecutive days in drinking water. Clinical signs and mortality rate, body weight gain and feed conversion rate, were recorded. Effect of Amoxicillin and infection in leukogram and biochemical parameters was studied. Amoxicillin residue in breast muscle, liver and kidneys were detected. Infected rabbits with E. coli showed clinical sign such as depression, weakness, illness, dullness, sneezing, off food, rough fur, and diarrhoea and 26.7% mortalities. Healthy rabbits treated with 25mg amoxicillin / kg bwt. displayed a significant increase in body weight gain, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, urea and creatinine beside decrease feed conversion rate, insignificant increase in leukocytes, neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, monocytes, lymphocytes and albumin /globulin ratio beside insignificant increase in total protein, albumin and globulin Infected rabbits with E. coli showed significant decrease in weight gain, neutrophils, total protein, albumin and globulin beside significant increase in feed conversion rate, leukocytic count, lymphocyte monocyte, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, urea and creatinine coupled with insignificant increase basophils and eosinophils. Amoxicillin residues in breast muscle, liver and kidney in both healthy and diseased rabbits were high at 1st day of clearance period and completely disappeared at 7th days of clearance period. High amoxicillin residue was found in kidney followed by liver and lowest residues were detected in breast muscle. It could concluded that, E. coli infection in rabbits resulted in adverse effect in body weight, hemato-biochemical parameters, amoxicillin treatment rabbits improved these parameters.

English

The present study was carried out to determine the effects of aflatoxinB1 (AFB1) on the skeletal system of the fetuses of balady rabbits. The female animals were divided into three groups, one control and two treated, the control group contained four dams, the intoxicated group with 0.1 mg/kg contained six dams while the intoxicated with 0.05 mg/kg contained three dams. A dose of 0.1 and 0.05 mg/kg/day AFB1 was administered by gastric intubation to pregnant rabbits on the 6th-21st day of pregnancy. The fetuses were obtained through the uterine incisionat different stages of gestation according to the group. The lengths and weights of the fetuses as well as absolute organs weights were measured, revealing the statistically significant differences between the control and intoxicated with 0.05 mg/kg group at 29th day of gestation (p&lt;0.001) while there were non-significant decrease of control and intoxicated with 0.1 mg/kg at 22nd day of gestation. The observed gross anomalies included wrinkled skin, enlarged eye socket and microphthalmic eyes in both groups. The heart of treated group showed reduction in size with wide ventricular lumen and shallow inter ventricular groove in intoxicated group with a dose of 0.05 mg/kg AFB1. Regarding the skeletal anomalies, there were incomplete ossification in some of the skull bones, the laminae of the vertebral arches throughout the vertebral column remain cartilaginous. The sternum was incompletely ossified. Most of the appendicular skeleton bones were grossly shorter and remained in cartilaginous state. &nbsp; Key words: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), rabbits, teratogenicity, ossification.

Some Studies on The Effect of Lead on Fertility, Some Hormone and Trace Elements in Male Rabbits

This study was designed to determine the most adverse effect of underground well water contain high level of lead on fertility, leukogram and some biochemical parameters in mature balady male rabbits. Sample from underground well water from 10 th Ramadan City area and fresh tap water was examined for detection of lead level. Analysis of underground well water sample revealed presence of 0.84 ppm lead but fresh tap water had 0.12 ppm. A total of 10 mature male balady rabbits were divided into 2 equal groups (5 of each). First group mature male rabbits drink fresh tap water that contains 0.12 ppm lead (control group) and second group mature male rabbits drink underground well water contain that 0.84 ppm lead for 60 successive days. At 61 th day all rabbits were slaughtered and two blood and semen samples were taken for determination of leukogram and some biochemical parameters beside evaluate semen characters. Mature male balady rabbits drink underground well water high in lead show significant leukocytosis, neutrophilia, monocytosis, lymphocytosis beside to significant elevation in serum lead, AST ALT ALP, GGT, total sperm abnormalities % beside a significant reduction in testosterone, T3, T4 level, iron, zinc copper, total protein, albumin, sperm number, sperm motility alive sperm, weight of (testis epididymis, seminal vesicle gland and prostate gland) and insignificant decrease in eosinophils, basophils and globulin It could be concluded that high lead underground well water induce infertility in mature male balady rabbits beside alterations in leukogram, biochemical parameters and some hormones. So, It is recommended not use underground water due to its high level of lead in rabbits farms.

Genetic Polymorphism in Growth hormone receptor Gene and its Relationship with Growth Trait in Pure and Hybrid Rabbit Breeds

Single Nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) techniques were used for association between exon 1 of growth hormone receptor (GHR1) gene and marketing body weights in three rabbit breeds; New Zealand White rabbit breed (pure breed), V-line (Hybrid breeds from New Zealand and California rabbit), and Alexandria breed (Hybrid from V-Line and black Egyptian Baladi rabbit). DNA from blood samples of each kid of the three rabbit breeds were extracted to amplify 263-bp of the gene encoding GHR1. The purified PCR products were sequenced in those had the highest and lowest body weight in each breed. Sixteen new SNPs were detected in GHR1 gene in New Zeland rabbits. In V-line rabbits, three SNPs were detected. Also two SNPs were found in Alex. breed. All these SNPs were related to high body weight as they were reported in higher body weights in the three breeds, and were non synonymous, which led to amino acids substitution. Restriction analysis of PCR product using MSP1 do not produce restriction fragments. Statistically, the results indicated that there were significant correlation between growth performance and GHR1 gene polymorphisms. The results were effective in selection for rabbits that have high growth performance (marker assisted selection). Also, the analysis of this study confirmed that GHR1 gene could be a candidate gene for application in marker assisted selection (MAS) in rabbits.

Teratogenic effects of aflatoxin in Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

This study was conducted to determine the teratogenic effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in balady rabbits. The female animals divided into two groups control and treated, each group contained three dams. A dose of 0.05mg /kg/day AFB1 was administered by gastric intubation to pregnant rabbits on the 6th–18th day of pregnancy. The fetuses were obtained through the uterine incision at 29th day of gestation. The lengths and weights of the fetuses as well as absolute organs weights were measured, revealing the statistically significant differences between the two groups (p<0.001).The observed gross anomalies included wrinkled skin, enlarged eye socket and microphthalmic eyes. The heart of treated group showed reduction in size with wide ventricular lumen and shallow inter ventricular groove. The characteristic fetal histopathological findings were vaccuolation and distortion of hepatic cord pattern. The renal tubular epithelium was vacuo- lated and their lumen were occluded with casts. The eye lids revealed less number of hair follicles. Regarding, the skeletal anomalies there were incomplete ossification in some of the skull bones, the lami- nae of the vertebral arches throughout the vertebral column remain cartilaginous. The sternum was incompletely ossified. The 2nd phalanx, carpus, extremities of metacarpi had no cartilaginous drafts. The central and distal tarsal rows as well as extremities of metatarsi remained car- tilaginous..