Effects of a lignin-rich fibre diet on productive, reproductive and endocrine parameters in nulliparous rabbit does

Arias-Álvarez, M.; García-García, R.M.; Rebollar, Pilar García; Nicodemus, N.; Revuelta, Luis; Millán, P.; Lorenzo, P.L.

doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2008.10.013

Cited by 19 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 74 publications

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“…It is well known that nutrient restriction may delay the onset of puberty, leading to the hypothesis that a critical soma must be achieved before puberty can occur (Frisch, 1980). Furthermore, although fertility rate is affected by many factors, Arias-Á lvarez et al (2009) recently proposed that reaching the permissive leptin threshold should be necessary for pubertal reproductive activity, and may be associated with inhibition of reproduction if the critical soma is insufficient to trigger gestation (Moschos et al, 2002). In fact, when the relationship between fertility and blood leptin levels of young rabbit females around first insemination is drawn (Figure 6), the hypothesis of a leptin threshold for initiation of puberty and reproductive success that is not improved by additional provision of this hormone seems to be confirmed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of feeding programme on the performance and energy balance of nulliparous rabbit does

Martínez-Paredes

Ródenas

Martínez-Vallespín

et al. 2012

Animal

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A total of 190 rabbit females were used to evaluate five feeding programmes from 9 weeks of age to the first parturition: CAL, fed ad libitum with a control diet (C: 11.0 MJ digestible energy (DE) and 114 g digestible protein (DP)/kg dry matter (DM)) until first parturition; CR, fed ad libitum with C diet until 12 weeks of age and then C diet restricted (140 g/day) until first parturition; F, fed ad libitum with a low-energy, high-fibre diet (F: 8.7 MJ DE and 88 g DP/kg DM) until first parturition; FC, fed with F diet ad libitum until 16 weeks of age, and C diet ad libitum until first parturition; FCF, fed with F diet ad libitum until 16 weeks of age, then C diet ad libitum until 20 weeks and then F diet ad libitum until first parturition. The rabbits were artificially inseminated at 18 weeks of age. CAL group had a higher mortality rate compared with the other groups between 9 and 12 weeks of age (34% v. 3%; P , 0.05) and during the last 3 weeks of first pregnancy (14% v. 3%; P , 0.05). The CAL and FC females presented higher BW and perirenal fat thickness (PFT) than CR females at 11 days of pregnancy (10.41 kg and 10.6 mm; P , 0.05), with F females showing medium values. The type of feeding procedure did not affect the fertility rate of young females at first artificial insemination. Differences in BW disappeared at parturition, when only CAL females presented a greater PFT than CR and FC females (10.3 mm; P , 0.05). In comparison with FCF, CAL females had smaller and thinner live born litters (22.5 kits and 2139 g, respectively; P , 0.05), with CR, F and FC females showing medium values. The low number of kits born alive for CAL females was because of their lesser total number of kits born (21.7 kits; P , 0.05) and the greater mortality of their litters at birth (113.9%; P , 0.05) compared with FCF females. Non-esterified fatty acid was higher in the blood of females fed C diet (CAL and CR) than in others at partum day (on average 10.15 mmol/l; P , 0.05). In conclusion, the ad libitum use of diets for lactating rabbit does throughout the rearing period could lead young rabbit females to present a higher risk of early death and smaller litter size at first parturition. Feed restriction or earlier use of suitably fibrous diets led females to achieve the critical BW and fat mass at first mating to ensure reproduction.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of feeding programme on the performance and energy balance of nulliparous rabbit does

Martínez-Paredes

Ródenas

Martínez-Vallespín

et al. 2012

Animal

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show abstract

“…It is well known that nutrient restriction may delay the onset of puberty, leading to the hypothesis that a critical soma must be achieved before puberty can occur (Frisch, 1980). Furthermore, although the fertility rate is affected by many factors, Arias-Álvarez et al (2009) recently proposed that reaching the permissive leptin threshold is necessary for pubertal reproductive activity and may be associated with inhibition of reproduction if the critical soma is insufficient to trigger gestation (Moschos et al, 2002). In fact, when the relationship between fertility and blood leptin levels of young rabbit females around first insemination is drawn (Figure 4), the hypothesis of a leptin threshold for initiation of puberty and reproductive success that is not improved by additional provision of this hormone seems to be confirmed.…”

Section: Rearing Feeding Programmesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Resources allocation in reproductive rabbit does: a review of feeding and genetic strategies for suitable performance

Pascual

Savietto²,

Cervera

et al. 2013

World Rabbit Sci.

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This article reviews how frequent feeding and selection programmes can affect resource allocation in rabbit does during reproduction. The consequences of these programmes and the central role of body condition for suitable female performance are analysed considering genetic level, health and welfare. Future reproductive potential of reproductive rabbit females is decided before first partum. There is enough evidence of a possible threshold for the rabbit female birth weight to reach the beginning of reproductive life in a suitable body condition to maximise their future reproductive potential. The moment of first mating could be identified as the last of the 'pure' data on the animal, a sign of the animal soma that is probably related to its productive potential. An adequate feeding system during rearing and first pregnancy is relevant for the reproductive performance of rabbit females in the short and long term. The body condition of females changes during the reproductive cycle and throughout their reproductive life according to their genetically determined level. The problems arise when the animals are forced to diverge from this appropriate level, increasing susceptibility to disease, other stress factors and eventual failure. Negative energy balances detected during lactation do not seem to have the strength of those observed in late pregnancy. Genetic selection for litter size at weaning has increased prolificacy, but also the ability to obtain resources without compromising the survival of rabbit females. However, it could also have increased the susceptibility of animals to the environment, focusing more on the maternal investment in the future litter rather than on the current one under restricted conditions to maximise their fitness. Rabbit does selected for reproductive longevity have a greater soma, which enables them to better cope with the possible productive challenges. There is also evidence that they have greater plasticity in using their soma, making them more robust to overcome demanding situations. In addition, there is evidence of a possible improvement of immune system modulation in such robust animals.

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“…The higher body weight at first AI remained during the reproductive period, but as Rommers et al (2004) appreciated, the difference was compensated between groups until it finally disappeared in the 3 rd reproductive cycle. Several works have shown that selection for growth traits results in heavier animals with negative responses in reproduction performance (Mgheni and Christensen, 1985;Arias-Álvarez et al, 2009;Gómez et al, 1999;Ragab et al, 2010). Maybe this fact meant that ad libitum does with excess body weight at first AI were those which did not get pregnant.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of restricted feeding under rearing on reproduction, body condition and blood metabolites of rabbit does selected for growth rate

et al. 2017

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Young rabbit females selected for growth rate can have nutritional needs which may not be met by the common practice of feed restriction during rearing in commercial rabbit production. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of two different feeding programmes: restricted and ad libitum feeding, applied in young rabbit females for one month at the end of rearing, on reproductive performance, body condition and circulating metabolic hormones and metabolites in a rabbit line selected by growth rate in 3 consecutive reproductive cycles. Thus, twenty-four 16-week-old does were randomly assigned to a group in which the daily recommended nutrient intakes were satisfied (fed restricted: 130 g/day, n=13) or a group fed to satiety (ad libitum: 235.5 g/day, n=11) during one month. Then, all does were inseminated in 3 consecutive cycles using a 42-day reproductive cycle. Measurements of does' body weight, perirenal fat thickness and plasma leptin, non-esterified-fatty-acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) and fructosamine were performed at artificial insemination (AI), parturition and weaning time in 3 consecutive cycles. Reproductive performance of does was evaluated based on fertility, litter size at parturition, prolificacy and productivity. Differences in body weight were found only in the 1 st cycle, ad libitum fed females being heavier than restricted ones. Nevertheless, body weight variances disappeared in later cycles. No differences were found in perirenal fat thickness. Finally, in ad libitum fed females slight differences were found in plasma levels of NEFAs (452 vs. 258 µekv/L and 527 vs. 306 µekv/L for 1 st and 2 nd cycles) and BOHB (0.26 vs. 0.03 mM for 2 nd cycle), but disappeared in the 3 rd reproductive cycle. Fertility, prolificacy and productivity was not significantly affected by the feeding programme. Nevertheless, total litter size showed to be higher in ad libitum fed females at second parturition (8.7 vs. 5.9 kits). Therefore, the evaluated feeding programmes until first AI in females selected by growth rate had no effect on their reproductive outcomes, as the global reproductive performance was not affected.

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Effects of a lignin-rich fibre diet on productive, reproductive and endocrine parameters in nulliparous rabbit does

Cited by 19 publications

References 74 publications

Effects of feeding programme on the performance and energy balance of nulliparous rabbit does

Effects of feeding programme on the performance and energy balance of nulliparous rabbit does

Resources allocation in reproductive rabbit does: a review of feeding and genetic strategies for suitable performance

Effect of restricted feeding under rearing on reproduction, body condition and blood metabolites of rabbit does selected for growth rate

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