Groups Of Young Rabbits Research Articles

Fattening indicators of young rabbits when feeding Prebiolact-Kr

Measures to increase production are used to address the issue of providing the population with food. During the peak of the industry (1975–1985), Ukraine annually produced 120–165 thousand tons of rabbit meat, 30–45 million skins, and its share in world rabbit production reached 8 %. In the national volume of meat production, the share of highly dietary rabbit accounted for 8–10 %. Rabbit breeding in Ukraine was a very lucrative industry, which employed more than 600 thousand rabbit breeders. However, in recent years, rabbit breeding has declined due to the lack of modern scientific developments on the issues of complete feeding, rabbit keeping technology, low level of breeding and veterinary support. The development of the industry and the lack of coordinating bodies, both in the center and on the ground, are holding back. At present, the rabbit population of Ukraine is 97–98 % concentrated in individual farms and is 1.2–1.3 million breeding and repair livestock, and the rest in farms and breeding entities of various forms of ownership and management. According to the results of state certification, the breeding base of the industry in Ukraine today consists of 1 breeding plant and 7 breeding breeders of rabbit breeds. For feeding young rabbits used complete ration granular feed, the structure of which had different prebiotic content: I control group – the drug was not received, 2 experimental – 1.5, 3 – 2.0, 4 – 2.5 g/goal. per day. The studies were conducted on four groups of young rabbits, selected on the principle of groups of analogues, 25 heads in each. Thus, the total amount of feed increased from 80 g/goal. per day (35–41 days), up to 100 g (42–48 days), 120 g (49–55 days), up to 140 g (56–62 days), up to 160 g (63–69 days) up to 180 g (70–76 days). Feeding of young rabbits when reared for meat Prebiolact-Kr in animals of the second group at 43.1 g, the third 44.6 g and 45.0 g. The use of Prebiolact-Kr in the feeding of young rabbits when fed meat contributes to an increase in fattening performance, which may be the basis for the practical application of this supplement. Perebiolakt-KR showed the best results in feeding fattening and repair young animals at a dose of 2.0 g/goal per day.

Analysis of the relationship between caecal flora difference and production performance of two rabbit species by high-throughput sequencing

The purpose of this experiment is to study the relationship between the difference in production performance between Sichuan White (SC) rabbits and New Zealand (NZL) rabbits and the diversity of caecal flora. Twelve pregnant SC rabbits and 12 NZL female rabbits were selected for this experiment. After delivery, the young rabbits were divided into two groups according to breeds, each group had 30 replicates, and each replicate had one rabbit. During the experiments, these rabbits were kept in the same room, and the temperature in the room was controlled at 12–25 °C, with a 16-hour light cycle every 24 hours. The nutritional composition of the feed and other environmental conditions were consistent. On the 59<sup>th</sup> day of the experiment, the caecum contents of the two groups of young rabbits were collected. The results showed that the survival rate of the SC rabbit group was higher than that of the NZL rabbit group, and the diarrhoea rate and average daily gain were lower than those of the NZL rabbit group (P < 0.05). The results of high-throughput sequencing of the 16S gene showed that compared with the NZL rabbit group, the relative abundance of Bacteroides increased, and the abundance of harmful flora Verrucomicrobia and Proteobacteria decreased (P < 0.05). Functional analysis of the microflora showed that the relative abundance of carbohydrate metabolism genes in the SC rabbit group was higher than in the NZL rabbit group. In conclusion, compared with the NZL rabbits, the SC rabbits have a more optimized intestinal flora structure and lower abundance of harmful bacteria. Moreover, the intestinal health level of SC rabbits is improved, and the tolerance to roughage of SC rabbits is increased.

Comparative analysis of the pathogenic effect of the association of eimeria on hybrid rabbits at different doses of infection

Rabbit breeding is one of the promising branches of animal husbandry, but its development is hampered by various diseases. The problem of the pathogenic influence of parasites of the genus Eimeria on the organism of rabbits at different infective doses is still quite urgent. The study was conducted on hybrids of rabbits of Soviet Chinchilla and Californian breeds at 30 and 45 days of age. Within the framework of the experiment 6 groups of young rabbits were formed by the method of pair-analogs. The one-day old rabbits in the experimental groups were infected with oocysts of the association of Eimeria species E. perforans and E. irresidua at doses of 100 000 (2 groups) and 200 000(2 groups) per head, and in control groups (2 groups) - remained intact throughout the experiment. To analyze the pathogenic effect of parasites determination of meat productivity, veterinary and sanitary assessment of carcasses, linear measurements of intestinal length as well as histological studies of the walls of the small intestine were carried out in rabbits of these age groups. The research results showed that rabbits-hybrids infected at a dose of 100 000 and 200 000 oocysts per head demonstrate significant reduction of the increase in live weight and slaughter yield, despite the preservation of the retail display of the carcasses.

PARAMETERS OF MEAT PRODUCTIVITY OF YOUNG RABBITS WITH PROBIOTICS USAGE

Rational use of fodder resources involves finding and introducing non-traditional types of fodder into the diet of animals. For a long time in animal husbandry, productivity stimulants have been used, which promote the process of conversion of feed nutrients into products and affect its quality. Many years of research have shown that increasing the efficiency of bioconversion of feed nutrients into rabbit products depends on the type of diet, level, and completeness of feeding. A promising reserve for the production of rabbit products under such conditions is the use in the diets of new generation feeds that have immunomodulatory, anti-infective and other effects. Probiotic is a biologically active supplement based on bacterial strains. Probiotics include typical representatives of the normal microflora of the large intestine of animals: bifidobacteria, lactic acid bacteria, streptococci. Probiotics are aimed at the competitive exclusion of opportunistic bacteria from the list of intestinal microflora, which distinguishes them from antibiotics. The experiment involved a population of rabbits of meat and skin productivity. Two groups of young rabbits (females) control and experimental (4 heads each) were formed. The basic diet for these groups was the same and consisted of compound feed PC 90 Lux, manufactured by KreMix LLC. The difference in feeding between groups of rabbits was the additional introduction to the main diet of rabbits of the experimental group of probiotics "Enteronormin Detox" produced by LLC "Agricultural Enterprise" Microbiological Systems at the rate of 0.5 g per 1 kg (according to the manufacturer's recommendations). The probiotic contained the bacteria Enterococcus spp. 1–5 × 107 CFU / g, Bacillus subtilis spp. 1–5 × 106 CFU / g, Lactobacillus spp. 1–5 × 106 CFU / g, chitosan, yeast autolysate, ground mustard, ground garlic, ground cinnamon, zeolite. Preliminary assessment of the chemical composition and quality of feed. The use of the probiotic has improved the resistance of animals and increased preservation during the rearing period and has had a positive effect on the growing intensity and meat productivity of rabbits.

Hematologic indices of the young rabbits with the preparation of the prebiotic preparation

Blood is a liquid tissue that carries in the body the transport of chemicals, thanks to which the integration of biochemical processes takes place that take place in various cells and intercellular spaces, into a single system. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of feeding various doses of Prebiolact-Kr on the morphological and biochemical parameters of the blood of repairing young rabbits. One of the new feed additives with prebiotic action is Prebiolakt-Kr, which was created by employees of the scientific and biotechnological enterprise «BTU Center» in Ladyzhin, Vinnytsia region. Studies were carried out on four groups of young rabbits, selected for the principle of analogs of 25 heads in each. The material for the scientific and economic experience was the rabbit of the modern meat hybrid hyplus. The comparative period lasted for seven days. The duration of the main period of the experiment is 126 days. The animals of the second group received Prebiolact-Kr in the amount of 1.5 g for the full-scale granulated mixed fodder, the third for 2.0 grams and the fourth for 2.5 grams per head per day. Blood for research was selected for serological plugs by puncturing the terminal ear vein with an injection needle. When taking blood, the rules of asepsis and antiseptics were observed. The picture of the state of blood is a symptomatic reflection of changes in the intensity of all metabolic processes that occur in the body of animals under the influence of certain food factors. As studies have shown, the number of uniform elements is within the limits of the norm, at the level of the control group. However, those deviations that were observed in the experiment were unbelievable. The positive result is that the administration of the drug did not affect the content of macro- and microelements in the blood, so it can be concluded that the administration of Prebiolact-Kr in the diet of experimental animals did not cause changes in the morphological and biochemical parameters of the blood.

Morphological and biochemical blood values of fattening young rabbits

Meat of rabbits is considered to be a valuable dietary product. It is a source of complete protein, minerals and vitamins. It is second only to meat of turkey by the content of nitrogenous substances. It is known the blood composition is a symptomatic reflection of the intensity of metabolic processes that take place in the animal’s body under the influence of certain feeding factors. Testing of new feed additives in animal diets should be accompanied by in–depth blood analysis. Thus, the purpose of this research is to investigate, along with the performance, the effect of feeding different doses of Prebiolact–Cr on the morphological and biochemical blood values of fattening young rabbits. The research was conducted in four groups of young rabbits selected by the principle of analogues. The basic period of the experiment lasted for 42 days; it was divided into six sub–periods lasting for seven days. Animals of the second group, together with complete granulated mixed feed, received Prebiolact–Cr in the amount of 1.5 g, the third – 2.0 g and fourth – 2.5 g per rabbit daily. During this scientific experiment, young rabbits were kept in two–high cage batteries with five animals in each rabbit hutch, females and males were kept separately. Morphological and biochemical blood values were within their physiological norm when prebiotic preparation Prebiolact–Cr was introduced into the diet of young rabbits at the doses of 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 g per rabbit daily. Prebiolact–Cr dose of 2.0 and 2.5 g per rabbit daily leads to haemoglobin increase by 4.63% in the third group and 9.5% in the fourth group. Studied feed additive at the dose of 1.5 g per head daily causes the increase of segmented neutrophils by 6.1%, reduction of monocytes by 0.9%, compared to the control group. Glucose content in the blood of experimental rabbits increased by 5.9%, 10.3% and 7.4% when the dose of the preparation became higher. Prebiotic preparation facilitates the increase of iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus content in blood and maintains the immune system of rabbits.

Antibiotic treatment is superior to ursodeoxycholic acid on total parenteral nutrition associated hepatic dysfunction

This study aimed to investigate the apoptotic mechanisms, oxidative stress, and mechanisms of effect of antibiotics and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in total parenteral nutrition (TPN)-associated liver injury. Four groups of young rabbits were used in the study as follows: Group 1 (n: 7): TPN + Metronidazole (30 mg/kg IV) + Gentamicin (6 mg/kg IV); Group 2 (n: 7): TPN + UDCA (15 mg/kg per oral); Group 3 (n: 6): TPN only; and Group 4 (n: 7): Control group. After 10 days, the animals were killed and livers were removed. Hepatic apoptosis, apoptotic proteins, malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were studied in liver, and direct bilirubin values were assessed in the blood samples. Direct bilirubin increased with TPN, and antibiotic combination, as the most effective group, significantly lowered its levels (p < 0.01). MDA values also showed significant differences in comparisons between G1 and G3 (p < 0.05) and G1-G4 (p < 0.01). An increased number of apoptotic cells was detected particularly in G2 and G3, whereas the lowest levels, other than in the control group, were found in G1. All TUNEL-positive cell number data were statistically significant except between G2 and G3(p < 0.05). Caspase-3 and Bax immunoreactivities were greatest in G2. Significant differences were shown in caspase-3 immunoreactivity between the groups (p < 0.01), except between G1 and G3 (p > 0.05). All comparisons between the groups were significant for Bax (p < 0.01). In contrast, Bcl-2 immunoreactivity was moderate and highest in G1: comparisons between G1 and the other groups demonstrated statistically significant differences (p < 0.01). Fas-L immunoreactivity was greatest in G2, and all comparisons between the groups were statistically significant (p < 0.01). Metronidazole and gentamicin combination is effective on TPN-induced liver injury by the Bcl-2 anti-apoptotic pathway, total anti-apoptotic effect and by decreasing bilirubin levels. Oxidative injury in the liver increased with therapy. UDCA seems less effective on TPN-associated liver injury.

Effet de la granulation sur les performances de croissance, l’efficacité alimentaire et la viabilité des lapereaux en condition d’élevage tropical

Cent quarante-quatre lapereaux de race locale ont été utilisés à partir du sevrage (entre 34 et 36 jours d’âge) pour analyser leur croissance, leur efficacité alimentaire et leur viabilité, en fonction de la présentation de l’aliment : farine ou granulé. L’expérimentation s’est déroulée sur trois fermes (Cecuri, Gava et Ahinadjè), à raison de 48 lapereaux par ferme, répartis en deux lots de 24 lapereaux : un lot expérimental nourri avec un aliment granulé et un lot témoin nourri avec le même aliment mais sous forme de farine. Le poids et la consommation ont été mesurés hebdomadairement durant les huit semaines d’engraissement et la mortalité a été contrôlée quotidiennement. Pendant la durée d’engraissement (56 jours), les lapereaux nourris avec l’aliment granulé ont eu une vitesse de croissance (24 g/j) plus élevée (P &lt; 0,001) que celle des lapereaux nourris avec l’aliment farineux (22 g/j). Pendant les quatre premières semaines, l’aliment granulé a été davantage consommé (+ 18 p. 100), moins rejeté (- 77 p. 100), avec un indice de consommation plus faible (- 20 p. 100), que l’aliment farineux (P &lt; 0,001). L’indice de consommation (5,2) et les quantités d’aliment consommées (92 g) ont été identiques pendant les quatre dernières semaines (P &gt; 0,05). En revanche, l’aliment granulé a été moins refusé (P &lt; 0,001) que l’aliment farineux (1 g vs 4 g). Enfin, dans les lots des lapereaux nourris au granulé, le taux de mortalité a été de 15 p. 100, contre 46 p. 100 chez les lapereaux nourris à l’aliment farineux.

Effect of recombinant human BMP-2 on the repair of cricoid cartilage defects in young and adult rabbits: A comparative study

The study evaluated the possible differences in the repair of cricoid cartilage defects treated with recombinant human BMP-2 in young and adult rabbits. A cricoid defect rabbit model was used. Thirty rabbits were randomly divided into eight groups. Two groups of young rabbits and two groups of adult rabbits were treated with rhBMP-2 delivered on an absorbable collagen sponge, while the other two groups of young rabbits and two groups of adult rabbits were used as controls. The rabbits were killed at 1 week or 4 weeks after surgery. A histomorphometric analysis and an evaluation of the expression of collagen types I, II, and X, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen as well as a study of distribution of calcified matrix, were performed. rhBMP-2 induced a marked chondrogenesis in both experimental age groups. However, in young rabbits the newly formed cartilage appeared more elongate, and the length of perichondrium involved was greater. The host cricoid cartilage of adult rabbits was calcified in large areas and displayed a strong matrix expression of collagen type X as well as collagen type I in the perichondrium, compared to the cricoid of young rabbits. In spite of these differences no immunohistochemical differences were found in the newly formed cartilage of both age groups treated with rhBMP-2. The cricoid cartilage defect was filled with new bone at 4 weeks in both age groups treated with rhBMP-2. New bone tissue had a well-defined trabecular structure. rhBMP-2 triggers appositional cartilage growth from the cricoid perichondrium of young rabbits more easily than from that of adult rabbits. The new bone induced by rhBMP-2 showed a similar immunohistochemical and morphological pattern in both age groups of rabbits.

Mecamylamine reversal by nicotine and by a partial α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist (GTS-21) in rabbits tested with delay eyeblink classical conditioning

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonism and antagonism on learning. Eyeblink classical conditioning (750 ms delay procedure) was tested for 15 daily sessions in a total of 82 young rabbits: 58 rabbits were tested in the paired procedure when the conditioned stimulus (CS) was always followed by the unconditioned stimulus (US), and 24 rabbits were tested in the explicitly unpaired procedure in which CS and US presentations were independent. We used the nAChR agonists nicotine and GTS-21 (a selective α7 nAChR partial agonist that antagonizes α4β2 nAChRs) and the relatively nonselective nAChR antagonist, mecamylamine. Groups of young rabbits were injected with 0.5 mg/kg mecamylamine alone and in combination with two doses of nicotine or GTS-21 and compared to vehicle-treated rabbits. Explicitly unpaired control groups received vehicle, mecamylamine plus the highest nicotine dose, or mecamylamine plus the highest GTS-21 dose. Both GTS-21 and nicotine reversed the deleterious effect of mecamylamine on the acquisition of conditioned responses. Combinations of GTS-21 or nicotine and mecamylamine did not cause sensitization or habituation in the unpaired condition. Reversal of mecamylamine-induced learning deficits by nicotine and GTS-21 suggests that nAChR agonists may have efficacy in ameliorating deficits caused by the loss of some types of nAChRs in diseases such as AD.

The effect of costal cartilage resection on chest wall development

The surgical repair of anterior chest malformations such as pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum frequently includes resection of the costal cartilages. Although this operation corrects the external deformity, we have observed that subsequent growth of the chest seems to be restricted, particularly in its anteroposterior (AP) diameter. This study examined the effect of removal of costal cartilage at an early age on chest wall development. Four groups of young rabbits were included: group I underwent complete subperichondrial resection of the costal cartilages excluding the 1st cartilage; group II underwent resection of the internal three-fourths of the costal cartilages; group III underwent complete resection of the costal cartilages with the additional placement of a metallic strut behind the lower half of the body of the sternum; group IV served as a control. Each group included 10 animals. Chest growth was evaluated monthly in all animals. A striking chest growth deficit, mainly in AP diameter, was noticed in those animals that underwent total and partial cartilage resection with or without placement of a metal strut. These results suggest that the costal cartilages play an important role in chest growth. It appears necessary to develop alternative techniques that avoid the removal of costal cartilages and to re-evaluate the optimal age for repair of these malformations.

Quantitative effect of vagal stimulation on heart interval in newborn and older rabbits.

In two groups of young rabbits, aged 0–5 and 9–23 days, the effect on the heart interval of stimulation of the right and left vagal nerves separately was investigated at frequencies of 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 stimuli per second. Up to and including 8 stimuli per second, this is well described by log10 (I f /I o )=Hf, orI f =I o L f =I o e hf , whereI o andI f are the heart intervals before and during stimulation respectively at frequencyf, L is a lengthening factor,H=log10 L andh=2.3026 H. Thus each increase in vagal stimulation multiplies the heart interval by a constant factor. the response as defined by H were estimated for both right and left vagal nerves in 15 rabbits, and right or left only in 7 others. The responses varied considerably in individual rabbits and were much larger for almost all in the younger group. The effects of right compared with left stimulation, and of deviations of observed from fitted interval ratios, are studied in detail. Some other mathematical forms given in the literature for the response curves are discussed.