Rabbit Farms Research Articles

Is it profitable and viable to invest in commercialization of rabbit production? Implication on rural enterprise development

The rabbit industry has a lot of livelihood and economic potentials. However, constraints such as inadequate production of rabbit to meet customer demand serve as hindrances to the growth of the industry. Commercialization of rabbit production will increase rabbit products which will be beneficial to both farmers and consumers. This paper examines the profitability and viability of commercialization of rabbit production among rabbit farmers in Ghana. The study used primary data collected from 200 rabbit farmers in Upper Denkyira East Municipal of Ghana using a multi-stage sampling approach. Descriptive statistics, income statement as well as discounted and undiscounted measures of project worth were the methods of analysis. The results showed that the gross margins for commercialized and non-commercialized rabbit producers were GH¢1,309.49 (US$221.95) and GH¢907.19 (US$153.76) respectively. Also, whereas the net income and return on investment for commercialized rabbit producers were GH¢689.14 (US$116.80) and 50% respectively, those of non-commercialized producers were GH¢511.07 (US$86.62) and 60% respectively. In addition, at a discount rate of 30%, the viability analysis revealed an NPV of GH¢1,456.10 (US$246.80), BCR of 1.37 and IRR of 36.53%. Finally, the results of the payback period analysis showed that it will take three (3) months to repay the initial investment. We conclude from the aforementioned results that commercialization of rabbit production is both profitable and viable. Government, investors and other stakeholders are therefore encouraged to consider investments in commercialization of rabbit production or its promotion as a way of improving livelihood and reducing poverty in especially rural communities where production inputs are relatively cheaper and poverty is endemic.

Diagnosis of a Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2) and the Humoral Immune Protection Effect of VP60 Vaccine.

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) is known as rabbit plague and hemorrhagic pneumonia. It is an acute, septic, and highly fatal infectious disease caused by the Lagovirus rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in the family Caliciviridae that infects wild and domestic rabbits and hares (lagomorphs). At present, RHDV2 has caused huge economic losses to the commercial rabbit trade and led to a decline in the number of wild lagomorphs worldwide. We performed a necropsy and pathological observations on five dead rabbits on a rabbit farm in Tai'an, China. The results were highly similar to the clinical and pathological changes of typical RHD. RHDV2 strain was isolated and identified by RT-PCR, and partial gene sequencing and genetic evolution analysis were carried out. There were significant differences in genetic characteristics and antigenicity between RHDV2 and classical RHDV strain, and the vaccine prepared with the RHDV strain cannot effectively prevent rabbit infection with RHDV2. Therefore, we evaluated the protective efficacy of a novel rabbit hemorrhagic virus baculovirus vector inactivated vaccine (VP60) in clinical application by animal regression experiment. The result showed that VP60 could effectively induce humoral immunity in rabbits. The vaccine itself had no significant effect on the health status of rabbits. This study suggested that the clinical application of VP60 may provide new ideas for preventing the spread of RHD2.

Agricultural activities and risk of treatment for depressive disorders among the entire French agricultural workforce: the TRACTOR project, a nationwide retrospective cohort study.

Although depression is a major issue among farming population, to date, there have been few studies on specific agricultural activities. We aimed to investigate whether, among the entire French farm manager (FM) workforce, certain agricultural activities are more strongly associated with depression than others. This nationwide retrospective cohort study used data from an administrative health database available to the TRACTOR project. This database pertains to the entire French agricultural workforce (overseas workers not included). Data were analyzed from January 2021 to December 2022. All FMs that worked at least once over the period 2002-2016 were included. The outcome measure was the association between 26 agricultural activities and the risk of depression measured as hazard ratios (HRs) after adjusting for age, sex, and pre-existing medical comorbidities. The time to first depression insurance declaration, or first antidepressant prescription claim was used as the underlying timescale. For each activity, the reference/control group included all FMs that never performed the considered activity between 2002 and 2016, while the exposed group included FMs that performed the considered activity at least once from 2002 to 2016. Four sensitivity analyses were conducted to test hypotheses, and to address potential sources of bias. There were 84,507 (7.76%; 28.2 cases per 1000 person-years) depression cases among 1,088,561 FMs (mean age 46.6 [SD 14.1]). Compared to other activities, dairy farming (HR=1.37, 95% confidence interval: 1.32-1.42), cow farming (HR=1.53 [1.47-1.59]), poultry and rabbit farming (HR=1.37 [1.27-1.50]), and mixed farming (HR=1.30 [1.24-1.36]) were more strongly associated with depression. Sex differences were observed, with most of the time, risks higher for females than for males. Agricultural activities at risk of depression among the entire French agricultural workforce were identified. These findings do represent a crucial first step on the road to implement effective preventive measures against depression to determine where additional resources should be allocated to screen for depression, along with intervention. MIAI@Grenoble Alpes, and Mutualité Sociale Agricole.

To Farm or Not to Farm: Cuniculture Issues Towards Green Marketing Practices at Hilir Perak, Malaysia

Climate change, global warming, and population increase have sparked the need to reorient Malaysia's food security strategy by adopting green marketing practices in agriculture production. The paper explored green marketing awareness practices among the small-scale cuniculture farmers at Cenderong Balai-Sg. Manik, Hilir Perak, Malaysia. From the qualitative method, the analysis indicated that the rabbit farmers needed to be aware of and practice green marketing strategies. The study's implications showed that eco-friendly packaging products, for instance, will benefit the environment. A balance has to be reached for the farmers to be more innovative in selling their products for environmental sustainability.

Development of a Training Strategy Aimed at Increasing Veterinarians' Awareness of the Proper Use of Antibiotics on Rabbit Farms.

The rabbit sector faces significant challenges with antimicrobial usage (AMU) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). A focus group involving nine rabbit sector stakeholders identified key issues contributing to high AMU and the need for veterinarians' training. Participants emphasized the lack of clear legislation, biosecurity standards, and the importance of training on best practices to reduce AMU. To address these concerns, a blended learning course for rabbit veterinarians was organized, focusing on responsible drug use to lower AMU. The course design promoted participant interaction using group exercises and online discussions. The output was an operational tool, encompassing crucial elements to reduce drug dependence, covering housing, environmental conditions, feed, reproduction, disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatments. Validated in veterinarians' daily practices, the tool proved valuable. The tool, presented as a checklist, assists veterinarians in supporting field activities regarding proper drug use and AMR issues. It also helps farmers address knowledge gaps in breeding management and adopt biosecurity practices for disease prevention. Participants were encouraged to use the tool during farm visits and collaborate with farmers. The project presented in the manuscript is a crucial step towards the development of effective strategies for responsible AMU and AMR mitigation in the rabbit sector and beyond.

Potential and limitations of rabbit meat in maintaining food security in Ukraine

The aim of the present review was to assess whether rabbit meat production can help to improve food security in Ukraine and whether it can make a meaningful contribution to the national economy. Rabbit meat is a nutrient-rich and affordable food with a lower environmental impact than red meat from cattle or sheep. Rabbit meat is considered healthy, as it is lower in fat, cholesterol and sodium than other types of meat, and rich in protein. In addition, rabbit meat proteins can serve as a source of bioactive peptides with the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition properties. The health-promoting properties of rabbit meat and role of associated by-products in providing nutritious and safe food for consumers, and in reducing waste in the meat sector, should be promoted. In Ukraine, rabbit meat products are already recommended as part of a healthy diet for children, pregnant women and the elderly, and the market could be broadened by introducing more rabbit-based products for the whole population. Rabbit production in Ukraine is a promising area of economic activity and with a broader market this segment could increase further and become a significant part of the economy. However, the rabbit farming sector in Ukraine needs comprehensive improvement to address existing issues, including the introduction of sustainable production methods in accordance with European animal welfare and meat quality standards.

The Emission from Rabbits Breeding in Slovakia

Statistical surveys about rabbits in households brought interesting results about their breeding. The survey shows that approx. 8.3% of Slovak households breed rabbits, of which the majority are bred in the countryside (61%), followed by breeding in cities (35%), and 4% of households stated both options. As part of the investigation, information was also obtained on the method of breeding rabbits. The results showed that housing with the restriction of movement is the predominant breeding method. Housing without the restriction of movement is higher in cities compared to rural areas, while free breeding is absent in households for both options. The information on excrement recovery showed that approximately 59.5% of all farm waste is composted, 15.8% of respondents said that they apply farm excrement to the soil, and the remaining respondents did not answer. The post-processing survey results led to new estimates of methane and nitrous oxide emissions from domestic rabbit farming. The emissions were estimated using the methodology of the tier 2 approach outlined in the IPCC 2019 Refinement. The results indicated that rabbit breeding in households and farms in Slovakia generates an average of 0.51 Gg of methane and 0.13 Gg of nitrous oxide annually. Additionally, when free-range rabbit breeding is considered, emissions are 0.001 Gg of nitrous oxide. These greenhouse gas emissions from rabbit farming contribute to 7% of the total emissions from animal farming, ranking it as the third highest emitter after sheep. Consequently, it is imperative to prioritize the inclusion of this category in Slovakia’s national emissions report.

Effects of rabbit production on income and livelihood of rural households in Nigeria

AimsMore effort and actions are needed to combat the rising levels of food insecurity and poverty in developing countries, particularly among rural households. Rural households can significantly contribute to reducing poverty, enhancing their nutritional condition, and enhancing their standard of living by engaging in rabbit production but there are few empirical studies on the contribution of rabbit production to households’ livelihood and income. Therefore, this study examines how producing rabbits affects rural farmers' income and household livelihood in Nigeria. Methods and resultsMultiple regression and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data gathered from 240 rabbit farms. The findings demonstrated that rabbit farming is a male-dominated enterprise (male 77.5%). According to the regression analysis, the income of rural households was positively and significantly impacted by the income from rabbits. Farmers' ages, interactions with extension agents, credit they accessed, and assets were further determinants of their income. Additionally, rabbit production improved the level of living of rural households. Access to forage, the prevalence of diseases, scarcity of veterinary, and the high cost of medication, were the severe constraints faced in rabbit production. ConclusionsIt may be concluded that rabbit production had a significant contribution to the economic situation, way of life, and well-being of rural households. Although there were some constraints with the operation. Females are to be encouraged in rabbit production as livelihood diversification. Also, it is crucial that banks, governments, and non-governmental organizations offer farmers easily accessible and reasonable loan facilities as this will boost their revenue. Training on forage production and storage is also recommended. Significance and the impact of the studyParticipation will be improved by having an understanding of how rabbit farming affects the income and way of life of rural dwellers. As a result, the findings of this study would enable policymakers to intervene in enhancing its production thereby encouraging more farmers to be involved in the production and also, enhancing the well-being of rural households.

Current Applications and Trends in Rabbit Nutraceuticals

To ensure the sustainability of rabbit production and protect the global rabbit industry, cost-effective and practical strategies for improving rabbit production and meat quality must be developed. Recently, rabbit farming, like other animal farming, has faced feed shortages due to the impact of climate change, high competition among livestock species, and war conditions. The continued use of conventional feed additives in rabbit diets, whether derived from plant or animal sources, has become a critical issue. Furthermore, there is a global trend toward finding natural alternatives to synthetic drugs, such as antibiotics, in rabbit farms. Finding readily available and alternative feed additives is therefore critical to protecting the rabbit industry, particularly in subtropical and Mediterranean-developing countries. Nutraceuticals positively influence several physiological and productive traits in animals, as well as enhancing their health and welfare. The present review aims to provide an overview of previous studies on the potential of using some plant and animal products as nutraceutical alternatives and feed additives in rabbit diets, separately or in combination, to act as natural growth promoters, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial agents, and immunostimulants in rabbit farms. From the results, some unconventional plant and animal products, such as spirulina, garden cress, milk whey, and bee venom, can be successfully used as dietary supplements and substitutes in rabbit farms to motivate rabbit growth and reproduction, as well as enhance immunity. These products are rich in minerals, vitamins, enzymes, organic acids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. These active substances benefit the animal’s digestive tract in different ways, including activating the digestive enzymes and maintaining microbial balance, promoting vitamin synthesis. They also improve rabbit production, reproduction, and health.

First report of GI.1aP-GI.2 recombinants of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus in domestic rabbits in China.

The rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2 or GI.2) is a highly contagious agent leading to lethal disease in rabbits. It frequently recombines with other Lagovirus genus, generating epidemical variants with high pathogenicity. In this study, twenty-two liver samples tested positive for GI.2 VP60 gene, were collected in rabbit farms from several geographical regions in China. All GI.2 positive specimens were submitted for RT-PCR detection, nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. In addition, suspected GI.2 recombinants were evaluated for virus virulence. The results showed that nine presumptive recombinants were identified by testing for RdRp-VP60 recombination. In these recombinants, four were selected to fully characterize the genome of novel GI.2 recombinant variants, which were described as GI.1aP-GI.2. The nucleotide sequence of these novel variants showed unique recombination pattern and phylogenetic features compared to currently prevalent GI.2 variants. Furthermore, this distinctive recombination of new variant SCNJ-2021 moderately enhanced the virulence of GI.2, even for rabbits vaccinated against parental GI.2. In conclusion, the novel GI.1aP-GI.2 recombinants were identified in rabbit industry in China for the first time, which expanded the knowledge on the phylodynamics and genomic diversity of GI.2 genotype. The rapid molecular evolution and varied pathogenicity of these virus recombinants highlight the urgent need for epidemiological surveillance and for future prevention of these neglected GI.2 variants.

Ramifications of Heat Stress on Rabbit Production and Role of Nutraceuticals in Alleviating Its Negative Impacts: An Updated Review.

Heat stress has become a widespread concern worldwide, which is a major environmental stress that causes substantial economic loss in the rabbit industry. Compared to other agricultural animals, rabbits are more sensitive to heat stress as they have fewer sweat glands and a thicker coat of fur, increasing the heat dissipation complexity. Thus, heat stress hurts rabbits' productivity, meat quality, reproductive performance, antioxidative properties, immune responsiveness, intestinal histomorphology, and microbiome. Nutraceuticals include vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, organic acids, fatty acids, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, enzymes, and medicinal plants due to the possible impacts on maintaining common biological situations, strengthening immune response, and preventing illness, which ultimately led to an increase in productivity. Nutraceuticals have recently attracted a lot of attention to alleviate the adverse impacts of heat stress in rabbit farms. The objective of the current review is to provide acquaintance with the recent findings about the impact of heat stress on rabbit productivity and the advantages of dietary supplementation of nutraceuticals in mitigating it.

Analysis of Farmers Perception on Socio-Economic Benefits of Rabbit Production in Gokana Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

The study assessed the perception of rabbit production among rural dwellers in Gokana Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 90 rabbit farmers. Data collection was through structured questionnaire and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics such as mean and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression analysis. Findings reveal that the mean age of the rabbit farmers was 48.2 years, 83.3% of the entire sampled farmers were males while 16.7% were females. Majority of the rabbit farmers (61.1%) were also married with a mean household size of 7 persons. The results also reveal that consumption not deprived of cultural and religious bias, high efficiency in converting forage to meat (= 3.39), short gestation period (= 3.36), high probability of replenishing invested capital (= 3.33), low cost of production (= 3.30), high medicinal value (= 3.26) and high prolificacy (= 3.26) were the mean responses of farmers on their perception of rabbit production in the study area. The study also revealed that lack of training opportunities (= 3.23), lack of finance (= 3.19) and lack of manpower (= 3.16) were the major challenges that impeded the production of rabbit by farmers in the study area. The result of the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression analysis revealed that gender, age, marital status, level of education, farming experience and membership of association significantly influenced rabbit production in the study area. From the findings, it was concluded that the farmers generally had positive perception of rabbit production in the study area. The study recommended that efforts should be directed towards making favourable government policies that will address challenges such as lack of training opportunities, lack of finance, lack of manpower among others which impeded rabbit production in the study area.

Three decades of progress in artificial insemination in rabbit farming: a review

The commercial use of artificial insemination (AI) in rabbit farming is relatively recent, especially when compared to other species such as cattle or swine, in which AI has been used for more than 60 years. The large-scale use of AI in rabbit farming dates back to the late 80s. However, despite its short journey, it has not stopped evolving. Although there have been numerous changes, in this review article we aim to highlight two important milestones in optimisation of this technique: the introduction of biostimulation and the addition of Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues to the seminal dose to induce ovulation. In the former case, by means of different methods of biostimulation, such as feed and light flushing and/or separation of the litter in the days prior to AI, the use of hormones to synchronise heat with the moment of AI was practically eliminated. Nowadays, the possibility of using pheromones with the same objective is under research, even to increase ovulation rate or improve semen production. Although there are pheromones on the market labelled for use in other species, in the case of rabbit the knowledge of them is limited. Nevertheless, given the verified effects that pheromones produce in other animals, expectations are high. In the latter case, after several attempts by using other methods, the technique commonly used to induce ovulation was the intramuscular administration of GnRH or its synthetic analogues. However, in recent years, it has been proven that administration of GnRH through the vagina is possible, added to the seminal dose, which offers numerous advantages regarding health, animal welfare and the workforce needed. Recently, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved this practice, so in the near future it will probably become the most widely used method. Even so, there is still room for improvement, as the dosage of GnRH needed is higher than the one administered intramuscularly. Research on this topic allows us to predict that this problem should be solved in the coming years. Other alternatives such as the β-Nerve Growth Factor need further research to become a feasible option.

In vivo rabbit embryo production and cryopreservation review. Application to ex situ conservation and rederivation

The development of reproductive technologies in this species is contributing decisively to the development of rabbit farming and the preservation of genetic resources. Obtaining embryos is an essential step to both genetic diffusion and the preservation of genetic resources from genetic erosion or natural disasters. In rabbits, it is common for embryos to be recovered post-mortem after ovarian hyperstimulation with gonadotrophins, although the quality and number of embryos are variable, affecting the embryo viability and offspring rate by the donor. In vivo embryo production within a conservation programme aims not only to obtain a large number of embryos, but also that they come from a greater number of male and female origins, in order to ensure an adequate representation of the original population. This is why both the quality and quantity of embryos obtained per donor rabbit and the rate of donors with offspring after embryo cryopreservation must be considered, as well as the response of the embryos to the chemical, physical and physiological stress to which they are subjected in the rederivation process and its postnatal repercussions on those that survive. Rederived rabbits from cryopreserved and transferred embryos showed phenotypic growth changes, which calls into question the neutrality of the technique and its usefulness in those cases in which a control population is required.

Antimicrobial Efficacy of Phyto-L, Thiosulfonate from Allium spp. Containing Supplement, against Escherichia Coli Strains from Rabbits.

Colibacillosis, caused by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), is one of the most common diseases in rabbit farms, resulting in economic losses due to mortality and decrease in production. Until recently, antimicrobials were used to both treat and prevent disease on livestock farms, leading to the possible risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the selection of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Therefore, interest in alternative control methods, such as the use of natural substances, has increased in the scientific community. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of Phyto-L (Pro Tech s.r.l.), a product containing organosulfur compounds (OSCs) such as propyl propane thiosulfonate (PTSO) from Allium spp., against 108 strains of E. coli isolated from rabbits with colibacillosis from 19 farms. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of Phyto-L were assessed. Bacterial suspensions with a charge of 108 CFU/mL, corresponding to those found in the rabbit gut under pathologic conditions, were tested with different concentrations from 20 to 0.15 μL/mL of Phyto-L. For each strain, the MIC and concentrations above the MIC were plated on Tryptic Soy agar (TSA) without Phyto-L to assess the MBCs. MIC and MBC values ranged from 1.25 to 5 μL/mL and 1.25 to 20 μL/mL, respectively, depending on the strain tested. The data showed an interesting antibacterial activity of Phyto-L against EPEC strains. Therefore, this product could be effective in preventing colibacillosis in field application, especially considering that 104-105 CFU/g of feces is the amount of E. coli usually found in the gut contents of rabbits under physiological condition.

Analysis of Farmers Perception on Socio-Economic Benefits of Rabbit Production in Gokana Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

The study assessed the perception of rabbit production among rural dwellers in Gokana Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 90 rabbit farmers. Data collection was through structured questionnaire and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics such as mean and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression analysis. Findings reveal that the mean age of the rabbit farmers was 48.2 years, 83.3% of the entire sampled farmers were males while 16.7% were females. Majority of the rabbit farmers (61.1%) were also married with a mean household size of 7 persons. The results also reveal that consumption not deprived of cultural and religious bias, high efficiency in converting forage to meat (= 3.39), short gestation period (= 3.36), high probability of replenishing invested capital (= 3.33), low cost of production (= 3.30), high medicinal value (= 3.26) and high prolificacy (= 3.26) were the mean responses of farmers on their perception of rabbit production in the study area. The study also revealed that lack of training opportunities (= 3.23), lack of finance (= 3.19) and lack of manpower (= 3.16) were the major challenges that impeded the production of rabbit by farmers in the study area. The result of the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression analysis revealed that gender, age, marital status, level of education, farming experience and membership of association significantly influenced rabbit production in the study area. From the findings, it was concluded that the farmers generally had positive perception of rabbit production in the study area. The study recommended that efforts should be directed towards making favourable government policies that will address challenges such as lack of training opportunities, lack of finance, lack of manpower among others which impeded rabbit production in the study area.

Contribution to the study of the antiparasitic activity of Euphorbia hirta macerate on rabbit coccidia

The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic properties of Euphorbia hirta macerate against coccidia, with a view to reducing the excessive use of antiparasitics in rabbit farms. The research methodology was based on the harvesting and treatment of the plant, the constitution of the different experimental batches, the identification of the infestation of the subjects, the determination of the parasite load of the different batches, the administration of the different anti-coccidial formulations, and the post-treatment laboratory analysis. In this experiment, 15 rabbits were used in 5 batches of 3. The product of interest was freshly macerated in drinking water at the concentration of 0.03 and administered per-os. The results showed that the macerate has dose-dependent anticoccidial activities. Weight gain was high in all subjects except the control lot.

In vivo anticoccidial activity and immune response of Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina leaves against Eimeria magna and Eimeria media in rabbits.

The aims of this study were to determine the immune response and the anticoccidial activity induced by Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina leaves in rabbits infected with Eimeria magna and Eimeria media. Thirty-five-day-old rabbits, free from coccidia, were infested with 2.103 oocysts of Eimeria magna and Eimeria media, then received the acetone extract of the leaves of Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina at different doses by oral gavage. The inhibition of the excretion of oocysts was evaluated by the McMaster technique and the levels of cytokines (IL-4 and IL-12) and immunoglobulin IgG were assayed by the ELISA method. The in vivo efficacy on E. magna and E. media oocysts was 95.43% and 96.53% for Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina at 1000 mg/kg bw against 98% for the positive control. Interestingly the plant extracts increased the production of interleukin (IL) and immunoglobulins (Ig) compared to controls. Plasma IL-4 levels (pg/ml) in rabbits were 128.94 and 131.38; those of IL-12 (pg/ml) were 395.55 and 426.56, and then for those of IgG (μg/ml) were 14.70 and 13.94 respectively with the acetone extracts of Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina on D14 PT at 1000 mg/kg bw. This study indicates that Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina can be used as an alternative to synthetic anticoccidials. These plants could be used to increase the resistance of the immune system of rabbits to infestations of Eimeria species in rabbit farms.

Епізоотологічні особливості геморагічної хвороби кролів, викликаної вірусами першого (GI.[1) та другого (GI.[2) типів в Україні у 2021 – 2022 рр.

Goal. To determine the epizootological features of rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) caused by viruses of the first and the second types in Ukraine in 2021–2022. Methods. The work was performed based on 28 rabbit farms from 10 regions of Ukraine and in the laboratory of the Institute of Veterinary Medicine of NAAS. Epizootological, clinical, pathomorphological, molecular-genetic, immunochromatographic, bacteriological, and statistical research methods were used. Results. It was established that the form of manifestation of the epizootic process in RHD in 2021–2022 were outbreaks of the disease registered in 10 regions: in 17 farms it was caused by a virus of the first type (English — RHDV (GI. 1)), and in 11 farms — by a virus of the second type (English — RHDV2 (GI. 2)). The indicator of the adversity of Ukraine with RHD caused by both types of viruses was 40% in 2021, and 28% in 2022. Based on the study of indicators of the epizootic process, such as the damage and death of rabbits of a certain age (technological) groups, the significance of morbidity, mortality, and lethality, the course of the disease in rabbits of different age groups, as well as the seasonality of its outbreaks, the features were determined of the course of hemorrhagic disease caused by RHDV2 (GI. 2), compared to the “classical” RHDV (GI. 1). The obtained results indica­ted a lower virulence of RHDV2 (GI. 2) circulating in Ukraine compared to the “classic” strain of the virus. However, the established features of the seasonal manifestation of RHD outbreaks, taking into account the short observation period, require further research. Conclusions. In 2021–2022, RHD epizootic outbreaks caused by RHDV (GI. 1) occurred more often in Ukraine, and the country’s vulnerability to this disease was 36%. The second type of virus (GI. 2) was less common, with a prevalence of 16%. RHDV2 (GI. 2) circulated mainly in the central and northern regions, and RHDV (GI. 1) was distributed throughout the country. In general, the epizootic process caused by the virus RHDV2 (GI. 2) had many differences from the process caused by RHDV (GI. 1).

House ammonia exposure causes alterations in microbiota, transcriptome, and metabolome of rabbits.

Pollutant gas emissions in the current production system of the livestock industry have negative influences on environment as well as the health of farm staffs and animals. Although ammonia (NH3) is considered as the primary and harmful gas pollutant in the rabbit farm, less investigation has performed to determine the toxic effects of house ammonia exposure on rabbit in the commercial confined barn. In this study, we performed multi-omics analysis on rabbits exposed to high and low concentration of house ammonia under similar environmental conditions to unravel the alterations in nasal and colonic microbiota, pulmonary and colonic gene expression, and muscular metabolic profile. The results showed that house ammonia exposure notably affected microbial structure, composition, and functional capacity in both nasal and colon, which may impact on local immune responses and inflammatory processes. Transcriptome analysis indicated that genes related to cell death (MCL1, TMBIM6, HSPB1, and CD74) and immune response (CDC42, LAMTOR5, VAMP8, and CTSB) were differentially expressed in the lung, and colonic genes associated with redox state (CAT, SELENBP1, GLUD1, and ALDH1A1) were significantly up-regulated. Several key differentially abundant metabolites such as L-glutamic acid, L-glutamine, L-ornithine, oxoglutaric acid, and isocitric acid were identified in muscle metabolome, which could denote house ammonia exposure perturbed amino acids, nucleotides, and energy metabolism. In addition, the widespread and strong inter-system interplay were uncovered in the integrative correlation network, and central features were confirmed by in vitro experiments. Our findings disclose the comprehensive evidence for the deleterious effects of house ammonia exposure on rabbit and provide valuable information for understanding the underlying impairment mechanisms.