World Rabbit Science Research Articles

Abstracts of the VII American Rabbit Congress. Varadero, Cuba, 12th-13th October, 2022

Last October 12 and 13, 2022, the VII American Rabbit Congress took place within the framework of the 2022 Animal Production and Agro-Development Convention, which was held from October 10 to 14, 2022 at the Plaza América Convention Center in Varadero, Matanzas, Cuba. The VII American Rabbit Congress was developed in a hybrid way (in person and online) with specialists, researchers, professors, students, breeders and producers from different latitudes related to rabbit farming and science. Throughout the conference, a total of 50 people attended in person and 15 online, mainly from Cuba, Mexico, Argentina and Spain. The objective of the meeting was to "Motivate the exchange of experiences and results in rabbit production systems in the Americas, their technical, economic, environmental and social sustainability, and strategies for the improvement, conservation, use and characterization of animal genetic resources" for rabbit farming. The congress opened with a lecture by Juan José Pascual, president of the World Rabbit Science Association (WRSA) on the current state of rabbit farming, followed by three other invited lectures, 18 scientific communications, and a round table on viral hemorrhagic disease, as well as a total of 21 posters. These scientific contributions were directed both to the fundamental areas of knowledge (feeding, genetics, reproduction, pathology), but also to other important aspects of America such as socioeconomics, the value chain, and the use of rabbit farming as a tool to fight against hunger. During the first working day, aspects of the vertical integration of rabbit production, the production and commercialization of rabbits in Cuba, feeding costs and limitations for obtaining raw materials, concern for not total slaughtering rabbits where the virus outbreaks occurred, the political will to eradicate this disease and increase the productivity of the species, the components of the value chains and the need for a correct articulation between all the links in the chain were discussed. On the other hand, during the second working day, there was a debate mainly on aspects related to the role of rabbit farming in society, not only for the production of quality meat, but also for its gender approach, the use of existing local resources in the Latin American countries, and the positive experiences of producers in the promotion of rabbit breeding. The congress closed with good attendance in the room, with a representation of students, producers, specialists, researchers and representatives of state production units and the Cuban Ministry of Agriculture (Director of the National Center for Animal Health and President of the livestock business group).

The Economics of Rabbit Farming: A Pilot Study on the Impact of Different Housing Systems.

Simple SummaryThe welfare of farmed rabbits is a growing concern for consumers, who are demanding animal-friendly housing systems. At the same time, it is important to understand the impact of such a system on the economic sustainability of this sector. Through a face-to-face interview, we collected data of structures, productivity, and costs from six farms using conventional or structurally enriched cages. Looking at the results, the enriched cage, in comparison with conventional housing systems, is both non-penalizing and economically sustainable. In addition, the adoption of a more animal-friendly housing system leads to a reduction of drugs cost. This result is opening the discussion on the opportunity to contribute to the reduction of antibiotic use, therefore pursuing an improvement of animal welfare. Due to the complexity of the topic, we believe that further studies on the economic sustainability of this sector are needed to confirm our results.This research evaluates the economic sustainability of rabbit farms using different housing systems—bicellular (BI), conventional dual-purpose (DP) and enriched cages designed according to the World Rabbit Science Association guidelines (WRSA)—through a field-based study involving six farms over the course of five years. The cages were compared based on three productivity indices expressed in kg of produced live weight/m2 and on eight cost indices expressed in EUR/kg of produced live weight. The results showed that WRSA significantly reduced the productivity index per walkable cage area in buildings and cages, thanks to the longer platform area included in the cage compared to the other systems. Concerning cost indexes, total variable costs were not different among housing systems, whereas significant differences were observed within costs items. As for the feed costs, DP underperforms compared to BI or WRSA (1.15 vs. 1.02 and 0.99 EUR/kg produced live weight); for drugs costs, BI was less competitive compared to DP and WRSA (0.12 vs. 0.06 and 0.05 EUR /kg). In conclusion, under the conditions of the present study, the economic results of farms that adopted housing systems designed to improve rabbit welfare, such as WRSA enriched systems, were economically sustainable and, comparable to conventional housing systems based on BI or DP cages, also provided a significant reduction in drug use in the tested farms. A comprehensive collection of data from more farms at a European level would be necessary to confirm these results on the economics of farms adopting alternative housing systems for rabbits.

Analysis of Production and Reproductive Indicators of Rabbit of Saris Giant Breed

Analysis of Production and Reproductive Indicators of Rabbit of Saris Giant Breed

Effect of rhizopus stolonifer fermented cocoa pod husk meal supplemented with enzyme on growth performance, heamato-biochemical indices and sexual maturity of pullet chicken

Effect of rhizopus stolonifer fermented cocoa pod husk meal supplemented with enzyme on growth performance, heamato-biochemical indices and sexual maturity of pullet chicken

The comparison of the selected morphometric traits in three medium-sized rabbit breeds

The comparison of the selected morphometric traits in three medium-sized rabbit breeds

Fatty acid composition of maize silages from different hybrids

Fatty acid composition of maize silages from different hybrids

Letter from the editor in chief. World Rabbit Science: Evolution 2008-2012 and new features for 2013

In the last meeting of the World Rabbit Science Association held in the setting of the 10 th World Rabbit Congress (Sept 5, 2012) at Sharm El-Sheikh (Egypt), the Editor-in-chief of the World Rabbit Science presented the last news about the evolution of the journal in the last 4 years and some novelties for the next year that are worth to spread within the subscribers of the World Rabbit Science . Journal Citation Reports® has recently published the indexes for 2011 of the journals included in this source of citation data. As you know, World Rabbit Science is included in the category “Agriculture, Dairy and Animal Science” of the Journal Citation Reports® since 2007, with another 55 journals that also publish animal science knowledge. As it can be seen from the Table, the evolution of the Impact Factor (IF; average number of times articles from the journal published in the past two years have been cited in the JCR year) of the World Rabbit Science has led to obtain a 5-years Impact Factor of 0.667 , positioning the journal in the place 27 of 55 (being for the first time in the quartile Q2 of this category). The Editorial Board of the World Rabbit Science believes that this evolution shows up the availability and/or interest of the knowledge published in World Rabbit Science , which makes it an adequate alternative to bear in mind to disseminate your new knowledge in rabbit science.

Letter form de editor board: World rabbit science: towards an open access journal

Dear World Rabbit Science readers:World Rabbit Science’s main aim has always been to provide universal access to scientifi cknowledge in the fi eld of cuniculture. From the outset, World Rabbit Science has engaged indifferent actions designed to achieve this goal.One example of this is the fact that since 2008, World Rabbit Science has published its contentsonline, allowing free access to all articles, reviews, conference abstracts... with the exception ofthe last two years, when they were only accessible by subscription. World Rabbit Science is alsofully accessible in many developing countries through the AGORA platform....

Letter from the editor. World Rabbit Science at the 9th World Rabbit Congress and the Journal citation report

Letter from the editor. World Rabbit Science at the 9th World Rabbit Congress and the Journal citation report

Letter from editor: World Rabbit Science website. Setting new standards in rabbit science

Letter from editor: World Rabbit Science website. Setting new standards in rabbit science

Abstracts presented during the "8th World Rabbit Science Congress". digestive Physiology, Management and Economics, Wool and Fur, Meat Quality and Processing and FAO Rabbit Science and Production in developing countries sections. Puebla, México

Abstracts presented during the "8th World Rabbit Science Congress". digestive Physiology, Management and Economics, Wool and Fur, Meat Quality and Processing and FAO Rabbit Science and Production in developing countries sections. Puebla, México

OUTLINE OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR APPROPRIATE DOMESTIC RABBIT MANAGEMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANIMAL PROTECTION AND WELFARE CONSIDERATIONS

The following recommendations on animal species appropriate management in housing and care for domestic rabbits, kept under supervision and responsibility of humans were drafted and compiled by executive members of the World Rabbit Science Association (WRSA) in connection with international agreed specialists in practice and science of breeding and management, biology and pathology of rabbits including rabbit diseases control. The recommendations shall be the general and world-wide competent guideline for correct rabbit housing and care in regard of the appreciated rules of animal welfare and protection against cruelties.

HARMONIZATION OF CRITERIA AND TERMINOLOGY IN RABBIT MEAT RESEARCH

The harmonization of rabbit carcass criteria is a result of an international work. lts task was to specify the main traits to be considerad from the birth of the animal to carcass analysis, to define these traits with enough accuracy and to propose a common terminology. Work on harmonization has been initialized by the Mediterranean Rabbit Group Conference (BLASCO, OUHAYOUN and MASOERO, 1992), completad by several research teams and, finally, discussed during a round table of the Vth World Rabbit Congress (Corvallis, 1992). The proposal described in this work concerns: 1- growth, consumption and breeding measurments, preslaughter handling and slaughter processing, 2- dressing percentage analysis, 3- measurments or prediction of commercial and reference carcass composition. The work represents an official document of the World Rabbit Science Association. A commission has been created to examine the efficiency of the proposed criteria and to modify them according to what the scientific development and the practica! experience or thei use would recommend.

Royal Jelly Increases High Density Lipoprotein Levels but in Older Patients Only

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary MedicineVol. 15, No. 4 Letter to the EditorRoyal Jelly Increases High Density Lipoprotein Levels but in Older Patients OnlyPublished Online:23 Apr 2009https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2008.0420AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail "Royal Jelly Increases High Density Lipoprotein Levels but in Older Patients Only." , 15(4), pp. 329–330FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited ByRoyal Jelly and Its Components Promote Healthy Aging and Longevity: From Animal Models to Humans20 September 2019 | International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol. 20, No. 19Royal Jelly Ameliorates Behavioral Deficits, Cholinergic System Deficiency, and Autonomic Nervous Dysfunction in Ovariectomized Cholesterol-Fed Rabbits22 March 2019 | Molecules, Vol. 24, No. 6Royal jelly: a natural therapeutic?Ortadoğu Tıp Dergisi, Vol. 11, No. 3Royal jelly is an effective and relatively safe alternative approach to blood lipid modulation: A meta-analysisJournal of Functional Foods, Vol. 41Long-Term Administration of Queen Bee Acid (QBA) to Rodents Reduces Anxiety-Like Behavior, Promotes Neuronal Health and Improves Body Composition23 December 2017 | Nutrients, Vol. 10, No. 1Greek-origin royal jelly improves the lipid profile of postmenopausal women26 May 2016 | Gynecological Endocrinology, Vol. 32, No. 10The efficacy of topical royal jelly on healing of diabetic foot ulcers: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial8 April 2013 | International Wound Journal, Vol. 12, No. 2Impact of royal jelly to improve reproductive performance of male rabbits under hot summer conditions29 September 2014 | World Rabbit Science, Vol. 22, No. 3 Volume 15Issue 4Apr 2009 InformationCopyright 2009, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.To cite this article:Royal Jelly Increases High Density Lipoprotein Levels but in Older Patients Only.The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.Apr 2009.329-330.http://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2008.0420Published in Volume: 15 Issue 4: April 23, 2009PDF download

Different rearing systems for fattening rabbits: Performance and carcass characteristics

To evaluate the effect of different rearing systems and sex on productive performance and carcass composition and quality, 80 rabbits (40 males and 40 females) of Carmagnola breed were reared from 9 to 16 weeks of age in individual California type cages (0.12 m 2) or in group ground pens (0.25 m 2/head). The animals were kept in standard and uniform environmental conditions and fed the same ad libitum pellet feed. Data on live weight and feed intake were recorded. At the end of the fattening period 10 animals per group were slaughtered and data provided in the World Rabbit Science Association (WRSA) standard method were collected, as well as pH and meat colour. Animals reared in ground pens showed lower productive performances, while, as to slaughtering performances, rabbits reared in cages showed the highest slaughtering weight and also the highest weights for most body parts. Gender slightly affected productive and slaughtering performances: females showed higher feed consumption and higher perirenal fat weight than males. Meat colour parameters showed significant differences in Longissimus lumborum and Biceps femoris due to housing systems and gender effects. In both muscle, rearing system affected pH only 24 h after slaughter.

The effect of selection for growth rate and slaughter age on carcass composition and meat quality traits in rabbits1

The effect of selection for growth rate on carcass and meat quality was assessed by comparing selected and control populations of rabbits measured at the same stage of maturity and slaughtered at 9 and 13 wk of age. Embryos belonging to Generation 7 were frozen, thawed, and implanted in does to produce the control group. The control group was formed from the offspring of the embryos belonging to the Generation 7. Selected animals belonging to Generation 18 (S) were compared with contemporary animals of the control group (C). Carcasses were dissected and measured according to World Rabbit Science Association recommended practices. When animals were compared at similar degrees of maturity, selection for growth rate did not produce a negative effect on carcass and meat quality. There was no increase in fat content of the carcass, and there was an improvement of the meat:bone ratio with selection, with a difference between C and S groups of -0.42. However, the carcasses of S animals have 1.45% lower water-holding capacity. Carcass quality changed markedly with animal age. Heavy rabbit carcasses had lower organ percents and a higher loin percent. Dissectible and i.m. fat content were higher in older rabbits, with older animals having 0.97 and 0.79% more dissectible and i.m. fat content, respectively. Meat quality traits improved with age of slaughter, although there was an increase in glycolytic metabolism. Results from this study indicate that selection for growth rate has little effect in carcass and meat quality when rabbits are measured at the same stage of maturity.

Bien-être et production intensive de lapin

Rabbit production in Europe is concentrated largely in the "Latin" countries of Italy, France and Spain, in which animal protectionist attitudes are considered moderate. However, in the case of rabbits, the intensification of husbandry necessitates strict observance of physiological, behavioural and health requirements, in view of the very special needs of the species and the sensitivity of rabbits to environmental conditions. Rabbits are described as anxious, timid and emotional, with unusual arrangements for reproduction (induced ovulation) and digestion (caecotrophy). Therefore, these animals could not be reared intensively until the completion of extensive research, which has been conducted over the past twenty years, into the environmental and nutritional needs of rabbits, and the selection of lines having a calm temperament and maternal aptitude. This research was required to meet the welfare needs of this species. These concepts are perfectly integrated into the current operation of intensive units, and should not be brought into question on the basis of fragmentary observations by some researchers who would wish to see a return to rearing on litter. A discussion of rabbit welfare conducted in 1992 by specialists of the German branch of the World Rabbit Science Association approved modern methods of keeping rabbits on wire grids, provided that some changes were made to current procedures.