Long‐lasting behavioral and neuroendocrine changes provoked in rabbits by cancelling a single nursing bout in early lactation

Fernández, Hilda; Chavira-Ramírez, David Roberto; González‐Mariscal, Gabriela

doi:10.1002/dev.21882

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Recently, we undertook a broader investigation of this issue by exploring the behavioural and neuroendocrine responses of adult male and female rabbits, which were the progeny of 'biostimulated' or control mothers (García-Fernández et al, 2019). Regardless of time of day or sex, we found no differences between control and 'deprived' litters in any of the six behavioural tests used, previously documented in rabbits as indicative of stress/anxiety (Table 2).…”

Section: Biostimulation: Impact On Does and Kitsmentioning

confidence: 78%

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Neuroendocrinology applied to rabbit breeding

González‐Mariscal

2021

World Rabbit Sci.

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Successful rabbit production relies heavily on the use of adequate practices that enhance specific aspects of reproduction, such as mating, ovulation and lactation. Regardless of the type of production unit or strain of rabbits used, these processes rely on a complex chain of neuroendocrine steps that include particular hormones, peripheral stimuli and activation of discrete brain regions. Such is the case, for instance, of reflex ovulation, which occurs in response to copulation but is inhibited throughout lactation. Little is known about the mechanisms mediating lactational anoestrus and the restoration of oestrus following the cancellation of a single suckling episode (biostimulation). Nevertheless, the latter procedure (adopted worldwide to accelerate reproduction) has unwanted consequences for the doe and her litter. After successive episodes of biostimulation, the former shows a loss of fertility and body mass. In the kits, alterations are observed in their neuroendocrine response to mildly aversive stimulation in adulthood, as well as reductions in sexual behaviour. In addition to milk intake, a good nest is essential for normal litter growth and development. If this is not available, or if it deteriorates, rabbit caretakers can easily (re) build one from hair sheared off other rabbits or using synthetic material. Lactating does will nurse equally well their own or ‘alien’ young, placed inside the nest. It is crucial to have a minimum of six suckling kits in the nest, as the doe relies on this stimulation to maintain a normal nursing behaviour, i.e., only once a day throughout lactation. Recent work is revealing the similarities and differences in the responsiveness to mating among oestrous, lactating and biostimulated does. The relevance of these findings for the likelihood of reflex ovulation and the additional contribution of factors contained in the semen warrant more in-depth research. New insights on these issues, essential to reproductive neuroendocrinology, can emerge by fostering a richer interaction between academic laboratories and rabbit production settings worldwide.

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Section: Biostimulation: Impact On Does and Kitsmentioning

confidence: 78%

“…Responses of control and deprived litters in specific behavioural tests presumably measuring stress-anxiety in rabbits(median [iqr]). (Modified fromGarcía-Fernández et al, 2019).…”

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confidence: 99%