Sixty weaned New Zealand white rabbits of both sexes aged 6 wk and weighed 715 g were randomly divided into four treatment groups (15 rabbits each) to evaluate the possibility of feeding growing rabbits on diets containing olive cake pulp (OCP) as partial or complete substitution of wheat bran. The first group (C) was fed the basal diet as control (0%OCP), while the other three treatment groups (L, M, H) were fed diets containing 15, 20 and 25%OCP, respectively replacing wheat bran in the basal diet. All the experimental diets contained nearly the same level of crude protein (CP) and digestible energy (DE). All the experimental diets were formulated to cover the nutrient requirements of rabbits. Results revealed that dietary treatments had no significant effect on live body weight (LBW), total weight gain (TWG), average daily gain (ADG) and daily fed intake (DFI) at different ages (6-14 wk). At the same time, LBW, TWG and ADG tended to be higher in rabbits fed M and H diets than those fed C and L diets. Daily feed intake of the L group tended to be lower (P>0.05) than that of the other groups (C, M and H). Feed conversion of H group was the best compared with the other groups (C, L and M groups). Glucose and triglycerides levels in blood serum of rabbits decreased significantly (P<0.05) due to treatment. However, serum total protein, albumin, globulin, Alb/Glo, cholesterol, urea, creatinine, AST and ALT were not affected significantly (P>0.05) by treatment. Almost carcass traits (empty carcass, edible giblets and dressing) were not affected (P>0.05) by treatment. From the economic point of view, it appears that the inclusion of OCP in growing rabbit diets by 15, 20, 25% instead of wheat bran as fed basis decreased feed cost/ kg gain by 9.11, 7.25 and 14.32%, respectively. The economic efficiency values of the experimental diets were increased by 23.88, 20.15 and 26.73%, respectively compared with the control diet. In conclusion, olive cake pulp (OCP) could be incorporated in growing rabbits diets up to 25% without adverse effects on growth performance, carcass traits, blood constituents and economic efficiency.

No abstract

No abstract

This study investigated the association between both polymorphisms and metabolic marker changes of the leptin gene, and body weight, weight gain, carcass traits, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. Blood samples were collected from 60 V-line and 60 Baladi Black rabbits for DNA extraction and biochemical analysis. DNA sequencing of leptin (202-bp) revealed four non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) that characterized a number of V-line rabbits. Statistical analysis revealed that the identified SNPs were associated with rabbit growth and carcass measurements (p < 0.05). A discriminant analysis model showed a high classification percentage for the identified SNPs within and between breeds using body weight at 5-14 weeks of age (91.7%), slaughter traits (91.6%), feed intake, daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (76.7%). This study reveals that leptin gene could be a candidate for growth traits in rabbits enabling the development of marker-assisted selection (MAS) in different rabbit breeds.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of breed (V-Line and Baladi Black) on doe reproductive traits and their crossbreeding on litter traits and econom ic efficie ncy. Design: Random iz e d controlle d experim e ntal study. Procedures:A total of twenty adult females and six males from each breed with 2.75-3.00 kg of live body weight and 5-6 months of age were used. Experimental animals were divided into four groups (ten females and three males per each treatment). The first treatment was specified to V-Line males with V-Line females (V×V), the second treatment contained Baladi Black males with V-Line females (B×V), the third treatment had the V-Line males with Baladi Black females (V×B) and the fourth treatment contained the Baladi Black males with Baladi Black females (B×B). Within 12 hours after kindling, litters were checked and date of birth and number and weight of kits were recorded. The female was re-mated after 10 days from kindling. Young rabbits were weaned at five weeks of age and were transferred to the progeny cages with a group of five rabbits per cage. A total of 84 kids (twenty-one rabbits per genetic group) were fattened for about 9 weeks (from 5th to 14th weeks of age). Results: The results showed that breed had no significant effect on all reproductive traits, litter size and pre-weaning mortality rate at three stages of age (at birth, 21 day and 35 day). There were however, highly significant differences for litter weight and mean bunny weight at the same stages of age. Also, significant differences were detected for weight gain and average daily gain where the litter of V♂×V♀ genetic group outperformed other genetic groups. Significant differences among genetic groups were detected for economic measures; litter of V♂×V♀ genetic group recorded the highest values for total returns , net return and econom ic efficie ncy. Conclusion and clinical relevance:It could be concluded that purebred V Line (V♂×V♀) showed improvement in the litter traits and economic efficiency compared with the other genetic groups .