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The study aimed to evaluate the effect of the dietary inclusion of silkworm (Bombyx mori) oil (SWO) in rabbit diets as a total replacement of sunflower oil on growth performance, carcase traits, total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) and nutritive value of the diets. A total of n = 64 mixed-sex weaned rabbits (5-week-old) were pair-housed in cages and fed with a commercial diet containing 1.3% sunflower oil (control). From 7 to 10 weeks of age, two experimental groups were formed: half of the rabbits received a control diet, and the other half received a diet where the sunflower oil was replaced by the SWO. During the trial, growth parameters and feed intake were weekly recorded to calculate productive parameters. At 10 weeks of age, rabbits were slaughtered and dissected to determine carcase traits. In parallel to the growth trial, another twenty-four 55-day-old rabbits were individually housed in digestibility cages and randomly assigned to one of the two experimental groups (n = 12 rabbits/group) to study the TTAD and nutritive value of the diets. Overall, the dietary inclusion of SWO did not affect the in vivo performance and carcase traits of rabbits. Additionally, the TTAD of rabbits was unaffected by SWO inclusion, although the SWO diet exhibited lower digestible energy (DE) compared to the control diet (p <.05). These findings emphasise the importance of further investigating the nutritive value of SWO-supplemented diets in future studies. In conclusion, SWO can be considered a promising energy source for growing rabbits, an alternative to conventional vegetable oils. Highlights: Silkworm oil (SWO) is a feasible feedstuff for rabbit diets to substitute conventional energy sources. Total tract apparent digestibility of nutrients was not altered by the inclusion of SWO in growing rabbit diets. Growing rabbits fed with SWO as complete replacement sunflower oil showed satisfactory growth performance and carcase traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The authors investigated what size cage adult chinchillas preferred when given a free choice. Compared to the cages traditionally used in chinchilla farms, the tested cages had a larger floor area, higher height, or both. It was found that the chinchillas chose cages with smaller floor areas and lower heights more often. Especially during the resting period, there was a significant difference between the choice of cages. The explanation for the results is that the wild chinchilla hides from predators in a narrow place, usually seeking shelter between rocks. Chinchillas in farms have retained this behavior and prefer smaller, more protected cages. The study aimed to investigate adult chinchillas' preferences when choosing between cages with different floor areas, heights, or both. The size of the cages with a larger floor area was double that of the standard-sized cages in the farms (0.25 and 0.50 m2), while their height was 2.4 times that of the standard-sized cages (0.4 and 1 m). The chinchillas (10–14 in each cohort) were housed in blocks of cages where they could move freely between the smaller and larger cages. The chinchillas' location preferences were monitored continuously over five days using infrared video recording. The chinchillas were observed in the cages with smaller floor areas 1.9 and 2.7 times more frequently than in the larger ones (p < 0.001) during the dark (active) and light (resting) periods of the day, respectively. When the cage height was 0.4 m, they chose it 3.4 and 6.7 times more frequently, respectively, than the cage that was 1 m high (p < 0.001). When both the floor size and the height were increased, the chinchillas still favored the smaller and lower cages (p < 0.001). The study findings suggest that adult chinchillas show a preference for smaller and shorter cages when the small and large cages are not environment enrichment barren, especially during the rest period of the day, even when the floor area, height, or both are increased. In the future, it would be important to investigate different forms of cage enrichment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of a dietary butyrate supplementation on the production of fattening rabbits was examined. The control group (n=70 rabbits) was fed with granulated diet whereas the diet of butyrate group (n=70 rabbit) was supplemented with 0.2% of butyrate. The mortality rate was examined on a larger population (n=1050 rabbits/group). Butyrate group had lower weight gain at the ages of 46-52 and 60-66 days (-20 and 17 %, respectively; P>0.001) but higher weight gain at 53-59 days of age (+13%; P

Simple Summary: Maintenance of genetic diversity is important for commercial livestock breeds as well. The Danubia Alba rabbit is a synthetic breed; its breeding goal is meat production. The primary goal of our study was to provide information about the demographic history of Danubia Alba and support the breeder company during its selection work. Besides homozygosity, the deepness of the pedigree, the generation interval, and gene variability were evaluated. We found that the lines of genetic variability decreased, probably due to the selection work. The homozygosity of the lines was estimated using different methods, like Ballou's, Wright's, and Kalinowski's inbreeding coefficients. Though current inbreeding coefficients were different among lines, the present inbreeding level came mostly from previously fixed alleles for each of them. Effective population sizes were estimated, and none of the lines was found to be critical. The diversity of livestock animal breeds is an integral part of global biodiversity and requires careful management for sustainability and future availability. Avoiding inbreeding is a crucial aspect of mating of breeding animals. Our aims were to describe the quality of the pedigree, generation interval, gene origin, inbreeding, and effective population size of Danubia Alba rabbit lines. Line "D" is the maternal, whereas lines "C" and "X" are used as the paternal lines. The pedigree information was followed back from the actual breeding rabbits up to the founder animals. The rabbits having offspring in 2023 were chosen as reference populations for each line. The complete generation equivalent (GenCom) was 17.68 for line "C", 18.32 for line "D", and 17.49 for line "X", respectively. The maximum number of generations (GenMax) was above 30 for each line. The estimated bottleneck effect is mostly the result of selection and not a real genetic loss. The Wright inbreeding coefficient (F_Wright) was the highest for the "X" line rabbits, whereas it was the lowest for the line "D". Kalinowski's decomposition of inbreeding showed that it originated mostly from the past; the current fixation of alleles was quite similar for the line "C" and "D". Based on the predicted effective population sizes, it seems that there is no problem in maintaining of Danubia Alba lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major problem of large-scale rabbit farming is digestive diseases. Relatively few data on parasitic diseases of industrial rabbit populations are available. The aim of the study was to evaluate the seasonaldependent incidence of Eimeria spp. and Passalurus ambiguus infections at large-scale rabbit farms. The survey was carried out between 2018 and 2022 at 29 Hungarian and 2 Slovakian rabbit farms. Altogether, 7612 faecal samples were examined. Eimeria oocysts and P. ambiguus eggs were detected on all rabbit farms examined, although only a relatively small portion of faecal samples was found positive. Eimeria oocysts and P. ambiguus eggs were found in 32 and 6% of the samples, respectively. Our findings for the seasonaldependent evaluation of collected data showed that the highest proportion of Eimeria positive samples occurred during the summer (35.3%) and autumn (36.2%) periods. In winter, a significantly lower infection rate was found (29.5 %; P<0.05). The most favourable results were observed in spring (25.1%; P<0.05). As for P. ambiguus, the highest rate of infection was measured in spring (8.4%) and the lowest in summer (4.5%; P<0.01). The autumn and winter periods showed intermediate results (6.7 and 5.5 %, respectively). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of two diets with different fibre contents was examined on rabbit does' performance and parasitological infection. Diet P2 had 1% higher crude fibre, ADF and starch contents than that of diet P1. The performance of 12-12 does and litters per group were examined during two consecutive inseminations. In both dietary groups, according to a 49-day reproduction rhythm, the does were artificially inseminated 18 days after kindling. Most production traits were not affected by the diets (kindling rate, weight of does and their kits, feed intake, mortality; P>0.05). Significant differences were only found in litter sizes as the number of kits was lower in P1 diet fed group at all examined days of lactation. The significant "Diet x Reproduction cycle" interaction showed that the litter sizes of dietary groups did not differ at the first examined insemination, however at the subsequent reproduction cycle 6-8% lower litter sizes were counted in P1 fed does compared to group P2 (litter size at 4 day: 9.00 vs 9.58-9.92, P = 0.004; litter size at 11 day: 8.83 vs 9.58-9.92, P = 0.037 for diet P1 at the 2nd reproductive cycle compared to all the other cases, respectively). The two diets with different compositions did not affect most of the production results of the rabbit does and their kits, but the lower litter size of does consuming P1 diet at the second examined lactation suggests the adverse effect of P1 diet's long-term use. From the collected manure samples not any parasites were detected which presents a very favourable picture of farm from the point of view of hygiene and animal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The purpose of the investigation was to determine the effect of the selection for the total fat content of the rabbit body on the fat content and fatty acid composition of different meat cuts. The higher the fat content of the given meat, the more effective the selection was. Authors found that the meat of fatter rabbits is healthier, which can be used in the production of baby food. The present research studied the potential of a four-generation divergent selection (Pannon maternal rabbit lines) based on the total body fat content to create two rabbit lines with different meat attributes: a Fat line to deliver greater amounts of healthy fatty acids for newborns and infants, and a Lean line intended to provide lean meat for everyday consumption. Selection was based on the fat index calculated in 10-week-old live rabbits by means of computed tomography (CT). For each generation, 60 rabbits/line were fed ad libitum with commercial pellet from weaning (5 weeks) to slaughter (11 weeks). A total of 15 rabbits/line were randomly selected for meat quality evaluations: the longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscles (LTLs), hind legs (HLs), forelegs (FLs) and abdominal wall (AW) were analyzed for their proximate composition and fatty acid (FA) profile. FA contents were also calculated. Results highlighted that it was possible to obtain leaner meat for everyday consumption in most meat portions starting from generation 4 (7.93 vs. 11.9, 5.10 vs. 5.98 and 7.26 vs. 10.9 g of lipids/100 g of meat in Lean and Fat groups for the FLs, HLs and AW, respectively). The sole exception was the LTLs, which were not affected by the divergent selection. The total PUFA amount increased in FL and AW (p < 0.05) portions of the Fat line only, attributable to a greater n-3 amount (151 vs. 216 and 73 vs. 143 mg/100 g of meat in Lean and Fat groups for the FLs and AW, respectively). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feed preference of two species of wild mice, the house mouse (Mus musculus), and the mound-building mouse (Mus spicilegus) was investigated (kept in our laboratory for 25 generations). Our interest focused on the feed preference (i.e. if the mice choose the type of feed closest to their natural food). The proximate composition of the two granulated feeds offered to mice differed minimally; the crude fat and crude fibre content of the natural feed mixture was higher, and only this feed contained insect protein. Based on the obtained results, both wild mice species approached the natural feed mixture more frequently than the two other granulated feeds. The same tendency was observed for feed consumption where the animals mostly consumed the natural feed mixture. During the 5-day long study, the consumption of the natural feed mixture increased continuously, while the consumption of the granulated laboratory feed decreased significantly. The average feed consumption was also influenced by room temperature. Our studies can help to develop the optimized indoor keeping and breeding of small domesticated mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our research examined the nest-building characteristics of two mouse species native to Hungary, the mound-building mouse (Mus spicilegus) and the house mouse (Mus musculus), under laboratory housing conditions. In indoor housing, the nest-building material plays a very important role in the welfare of the animals. The present study examined how wild mouse species choose from natural nest material. In a three-way test, mice were able to choose whether to make their nest from long blades of hay, nonfibrous cotton, or paper strips. In addition, the effect of nest composition on its quality was also investigated. The test was run at the standard laboratory (21 °C) and lower (10 °C) temperatures, assuming that temperature influences the choice. Based on the results of the three-way selection tests, both species of wild mice chose hay nest material in the highest proportion, and it was also found that the increasing the hay proportion coincided with better nest quality. Mice kept in colder places used more hay nest material for their nests and built better quality nests. Our results show that wild mouse species prefer natural nest-building materials that meet their ecological needs even under laboratory conditions, resulting in a good quality nest. This finding is worth considering in designing appropriate enclosures for wild rodent species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The aim of the experiment was to study the effect of housing growing rabbits in enriched cages with small groups (eight rabbits/cage, C; n = 96; stocking density: 15 rabbits/m2) or in enriched pens with large groups (65 rabbits/pen, P; n = 130; stocking density: 15 rabbits/m2) on their growth performance and on slaughter and meat quality traits. The C rabbits showed higher final body weight (2540 vs. 2443 g, p <.01), better feed conversion ratio (5–11 weeks: 3.39 vs. 3.61, p <.05), lower mortality rate (5.2 vs. 31.5%, p <.001), and lower fecal corticosterone level (26.3 vs. 29.4 nmol/g, p <.05) compared to P rabbits. The increased possibility of physical activity of P compared to C rabbits resulted in more developed hind part of the reference carcase, thicker hind leg bones (34.8 vs. 33.4 g, p <.05), lower perirenal fat (15.1 vs. 20.8 g, p <.001) and hind leg meat lipid content (2.00 vs. 2.42%, p <.05), as well as higher haem iron content of the hind leg meat (5.29 vs. 4.22 mg/kg, p <.01). However, pen housing was detrimental for the dressing out percentage and for the hind leg meat to bones ratio. Physical meat quality traits were not affected by the housing system. Housing of growing rabbits in large cages and large pens was compared. Caged rabbits had better productive performance, lower mortality and stress. Penned rabbits resulted in lower dressing out percentage, carcase adiposity and meat lipids content. Most of the meat quality traits were independent of the housing system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing of kits is affected by the genetic background, the maternal (milk production and nursing behavior) and environmental effects. The aim of this study was to examine the willingness and effect of auto-consumption of liquid and powder based drench solutions on does and kits. Two experiments were conducted at Kaposvár University. Experiment 1: 24 does were divided into three groups: Control: ad libitum access of water from two drinkers; Liquid-based drench: ad libitum access of water from one drinker and 5% drench solution by volume from the other drinker; Powder-based drench: ad libitum access of water from one drinker and 5% drench solution by weight from the other drinker. Methodology of experiment 2 was similar, however the provision of drench solution was limited to twice a week (24 h). In both experiments rabbits willingly consumed the solutions, preference of powder-based drench was observed (P<0.05) over water and liquid based drench solution. Except the feed consumption in experiment 1 (ad libitum), none of the examined production traits (body weight of does, milk consumption, litter weight, average body weight, weight gain or the mortality of kits) were affected by the provided solutions. Tendencies suggest repetitions of the experiment with different concentrations and different room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment compared the productive performance and location of growing rabbits in pens without and with two-level platforms (wire-mesh or plastic-mesh). A total of 174 rabbits of both sexes weaned at 5 weeks of age were randomly divided into three groups (n=58 rabbits/group, 2 pens/treatment, 29 rabbits/pen). The floor area of pens was 1.0-1.83 m, and the floor was made of wire-mesh. Two pens were equipped with wire-mesh (WP) and two pens with plasticmesh elevated platforms (PP) on two levels, and two pens were without platforms (NoP). Treatment had no effect on the productive performance of growing rabbits. Based on video recordings, animal density (rabbits/m2 in each location) was higher (p<.001) on the floor than on the platforms (in WP: 12.0 vs. 5.2, in PP: 10.2 vs. 7.4 rabbits/m², respectively). Animal density on the floor was higher (p<.001) in front of the platforms than under the platforms (in WP 15.7 vs. 9.8 rabbits/m² and in PP 13.3 vs. 8.3 rabbits/m², respectively). The animal density on platforms was 1.4 times higher in group of PP than in WP (p<.001). The animal density was 1.6 and 2.9 times higher on the second floor than on the first one (p<.001), in group of PP and WP, respectively. The concentration of cortisol metabolites in faeces and the ratio of injured rabbits were similar in the three groups. The rabbits showed higher preference staying on the floor compared to the platform. Pens with platforms were not influencing productive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing rabbits' (42 rabbits/group, 3 rabbits/cage, 14 cages/treatment) diet was supplemented with 5% Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) and 3% thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) powder single (S or T) and in combination (ST) between 35 and 77 days of age. On day 0 (weaning at 35 days of age) 14 rabbits were vaccinated with 100 μg/animal ovalbumin to provoke immune response. Blood samples were taken on days 0, 14, 28 and 42 of the experimental period. Sampling dates significantly influenced total protein, albumin, glucose, cholesterol, urea, creatinine concentration and enzyme (AST, ALT, GGT) activities, with a significant age × diet interaction in the case of TP and CREA. There was a significant increase in ALT (+45 and 74%) and GGT (+87 and 102%) activity after immunisation. While Spirulina and thyme significantly ameliorated the rise in AST activity, their effect was inefficient in the case of GGT. Spirulina, both single and in combination showed a tendency in higher IgG level as compared to control (P<0.05). No significant effect of sampling date or treatment on phagocytic activity or secretory IgA was demonstrable (P>0.05). Higher MDA concentration was measured in the red blood cells of S, T and ST animals, while no other significant diet effect on the antioxidant parameters was detected, however, significant sampling date × diet interaction was found in the case of GPx activity. Plasma GGT (increase by 19-66%) was inversely associated with GSH (decrease by 66-113%) between days 0 to 42 of the experimental period (r=-0.57, P<0.05). It can be concluded that Spirulina supplementation alone resulted in higher IgG production, but none of the phytobiotics, at the dose used, affected significantly the antioxidant status of blood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated the effect of Digestarom® dietary supplementation on the reproductive performances of rabbit does. Pannon Ka (maternal line) multiparous does were randomly divided into two dietary groups since insemination and fed ad libitum. In the first group (n=51), rabbit does were fed with a commercial diet (C), whereas in the other group (n=52) they received the same diet supplemented with 300 mg/kg of Digestarom® (D). The experiment lasted for two reproductive cycles (kindling 1=K1; kindling 2=K2). Body weight of does and litter size (kits born total, alive, stillborn) were recorded at kindling. Litter size and litter weight were registered at 7, 14, 21 days of age after nursing, and the average individual weight of kits was calculated. Kits’ mortality was recorded daily. At K1, rabbit does performances were unaffected by dietary treatments. During K2, D does were significantly lighter than C ones (P<0.05) and displayed a lower kindling rate (P<0.05). Digestarom® did not improve the reproductive performance of rabbit does. They seemed to dislike the D diet in K1 and such behavior could have led to the negative results in K2. Further studies should focus on feed acceptance, dose-dependent effect, physiological adaptation and in vivo oxidative status of does. Finally, several consecutive reproductive cycles are recommended to test the efficacy of new feed supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 65-day study was undertaken to test the effects of two doses (10 and 20 mg/kg) of dietary fumonisin Bs (FB) on the rabbit male reproduction system. Body and testicular weight was not affected by the intoxication, neither the fatty acid composition of the testicular total phospholipids; the testis histological analysis failed to reveal any toxic effect. The FBs increased the testicular concentration and activity of reduced glutathione and glutathione peroxidase and decreased initial phase lipid peroxidation (conjugated dienes and trienes) in a dose dependent manner. Sperm morphology and chromatin condensation were monitored on Feulgen-stained smears. No significant differences were observed between the treatment groups and between sampling time points. The live cell ratio in the sperm (as assessed with flow cytometry) was not different among groups at any of the five sampling timepoints and was also identical within groups. Similarly, the spermatozoa membrane lipid profile was also identical in all three groups after the total intoxication period. In summary, it was demonstrated that FBs in an unrealistic and unjustified high dose still do not exert any drastic harmful effect on the leporine, male reproduction system, meanwhile slightly augmenting testicular antioxidant response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of selection for total body fat content and its effect on productive and carcass traits. Growing rabbits were selected for high or low body fat content. The selection was effective, and the difference in fat reserves (perirenal fat and scapular fat content) increased with each generation. After four generations, the feed conversion rate improved, and the ratios of fore and hind parts increased in lean rabbits. Selection for lower total body fat content could be useful for customers who want to buy animals and meat with lower fat content; while selection for higher fat content could be advantageous for rabbit does because they have more fat (energy) deposits which are in positive connection with maternal ability and a longer lifespan. The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of divergently selected rabbits for total body fat content (fat index) on growth performance and carcass traits. The fat index was determined at 10 weeks of age by computed tomography and lasted for four consecutive generations. The rabbits with the lowest fat index belonged to the lean line and those of the highest values belonged to the fat line. At generation four, 60 rabbits/line were housed in wire-mesh cages and fed with commercial pellet ad libitum from weaning (5 w of age) to slaughtering (11 w of age). Growth performance, dressing out percentage and carcass adiposity were measured. The lean line showed a better feed conversion ratio (p < 0.001) than the fat line. Furthermore, the carcass of the lean rabbits had the highest proportion of fore (p < 0.020) and hind (p < 0.006) parts. On the contrary, rabbits of the fat line had the highest carcass adiposity (p < 0.001). The divergent selection for total body fat content showed to be effective for both lean and fat lines. Selection for lower total body fat content could be useful for terminal male lines, while the selection for higher total body fat content could be an advantage for rabbit does in providing fat (energy) reserves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Aggressiveness is a well-known trait in different animal species, including the European wild and domesticated rabbit. It is one of the main problems in group housing of rabbit does. The aim of the experiment was to investigate the frequency of aggressiveness and mating behaviour as well as the lifespan of does depending on their rank order. Dominance hierarchy developed during aggressive behaviour, i.e., fighting. In most cases the primary position in the rank order was clear. Mating activity was very high after assembling the groups. In addition to male–female mating, some female-female and female-male mounting was also observed, which could lead to pseudo-pregnancy. A second small peak of sexual activity was observed at the end of the hypothetical pseudo-pregnancy. Based on the results it can be concluded that aggressive behaviour is frequent in group housing systems which is contrary to animal welfare. Natural mating is not effective in group-housing systems. Aggressiveness is one of the main problems in group housing of rabbit does. The aim of the experiment was to investigate the frequency of aggressiveness and mating behaviour as well as the lifespan of does depending on group composition. The female and male rabbits were housed in one of the 7.7 m2 pens (four females and one male per pen). Based on the ages of female rabbits two homogenous groups (HOM) were formed containing four 17-week-old females and two heterogeneous groups (HET) containing three 17-week-old and one 1-year-old female. Twenty-four-hour video recordings were taken during the first month after assembling the groups, and the aggressive actions (fights) and matings were counted. The lifespan was examined over a 200-day experimental period. On the day after assembling the groups the number of fights among does was high in HET group. The same aggressive behaviour only started a week later in HOM group, and some fights between females and the male were also observed. The daily peaks of aggressiveness were in the morning (after the light on) and in the evening (before and after the lights off). The primary position of females in the hierarchy was clear but sometimes no differences were detected among the subordinate females. The mortality of does was connected with their rank order. The number of matings was very high on the day of assembling the groups and a second small peak was observed at the end of the hypothetical pseudo-pregnancy. In addition to mating between male and females, female–female and female–male mounting was also observed. Despite of the small sample size it seems that aggressive behaviour is frequent in group housing systems, which is contrary to animal welfare. Natural mating is not effective in group-housing system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The study investigated the effect of dietary inclusion of chestnut hydrolyzable tannin (CHT) in growing rabbit diets on nutrients digestibility, quality and oxidative status of meat, and content of tannin metabolites. At weaning, rabbits were assigned to 5 dietary groups (n = 72 rabbits/diet): control medication-free (Co), control with coccidiostat (Cc), and T200, T400 and T600 (diets supplemented with 200, 400 and 600 g/100 kg CHT extract). Sixteen carcasses/treatment were considered and hindleg meat and Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle were used for analyses. L*a*b* color values, water holding capacity, Warner Bratzler shear force, haem iron content, oxidative status and nutritional quality were unaffected by dietary treatments. Saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated FA (MUFA) in LTL meat were higher in T600 than Cc rabbits (P <.05), even though no differences were found for SFA and MUFA digestibility. Contrarily, polyunsaturated FA digestibility was lower in T400 and T600 than Co rabbits. No tannin metabolites traces were found in rabbit meat. Results of the present study showed that feeding CHT did not improve rabbit meat quality. Highlights • Rabbit meat quality did not benefit from the dietary inclusion of chestnut tannins. • Dietary tannin supplementation did not improve rabbit meat oxidative status. • Chestnut tannins in rabbit diets isn't a concern for rabbit meat consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of two dietary lipid sources (sunflower vs. linseed oil) and three packaging methods (PVC film – BAG vs. modified atmosphere CO 2 20% + 80% O 2 – MAP vs. and vacuum - VAC) on the oxidative status and polyunsaturated fatty acid content of rabbit loins ( Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle), at days 1, 4 and 10 of simulated retail display. The diet, storage time and packaging method affected the oxidative status of rabbit meat under retail display. As expected, storage time, independently on the other factors, significantly reduced the antioxidant content of loin meat. Accordingly, TBARs values significantly increased during storage, as well as the dietary supplementation of linseed. The fatty acid profile of the fresh loin closely respected that of the diets. At day 10, oxidative status and fatty acid profile of MAP samples could be yet considered optimal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combined effect of two dietary lipid sources (sunflower vs linseed oil) and three packaging methods (PVC film - BAG, modified atmosphere CO 2 20% + 80% O 2 - MAP, and vacuum - VAC) on the shelf-life (pH, color, microbial count, sensory traits) of rabbit loins was tested at days 1, 4 and 10 of refrigerated storage. Linseed oil did not adversely affect neither the physical or sensory traits, nor the microbiological quality of rabbit meat throughout the shelf-life trial. The three packaging methods were all similarly effective in maintaining the physical and sensory quality of the meat, irrespective of the different dietary lipid sources and thus different susceptibility to oxidation. MAP and VAC were more effective than BAG in preserving rabbit meat hygienic quality, as highlighted by the microbial count analyzed at day 4 of shelf-life ( P  < 0.001). At day 10, the microbiological quality didn't differ between MAP and VAC rabbit meat samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the most common grain contaminant worldwide, deoxynivalenol is of high importance despite its low toxicity compared to other trichothecene mycotoxins. Data on the effects of deoxynivalenol in rabbits are scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary deoxynivalenol fed at a high level (10 mg/kg of feed) on the productive performance, blood indices, immunological variables, histopathological changes, and genotoxicity in rabbits. Forty-eight Pannon White rabbits were exposed to contaminated diets for three weeks. Despite its high concentration, deoxynivalenol did not affect the feed intake, body weight, and body weight gain. Liver and kidney function was not affected, as shown by the clinical chemistry indices. Conversely, in two rabbits the toxin caused mild fibrosis of the liver, without degenerative changes of the hepatocytes. No genotoxicity could be observed either. Gut cytokines and the phagocytic activity of the macrophages did not differ significantly. The percentage of neutrophils was significantly lower, whereas that of eosinophils was significantly higher in the toxin-fed group. Deoxynivalenol did not cause significant changes in gut and villus morphology. In 4 out of the 6 deoxynivalenol-treated animals, the ratio of lymphoblast proliferation and simultaneous apoptosis shifted towards apoptosis in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue. In the central part of the lymphoid follicles of the spleen, lymphocyte depletion and follicular atrophy could be detected. It can be concluded that rabbits are less sensitive to deoxynivalenol, but the findings confirm that this Fusarium toxin is capable of modulating the immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Liquorice extract was tested as natural additive in rabbit diets and meat patties. • Rabbit performance, gastrointestinal pH, caecal count, carcass traits were studied. • The tested liquorice extract did not improve rabbit performance traits. • Dietary and in-meat combination had the best antimicrobial effect on meat patties. • Meat sensory traits were not modified by the dietary inclusion of liquorice extract. The present study tested the effect of a liquorice root extract (L) administration in the diet of growing rabbits and/or in their minced meat. A total of fifty-six rabbit does and their kits (3 weeks of age) were divided into 4 groups receiving a commercial diet (C) or the C diet supplemented with increasing levels of L: 2 g/kg (L2), 4 g/kg (L4), 6 g/kg (L6). At weaning (5 weeks of age), sixty rabbits/group were randomly selected, caged by 3, and fed ad libitum with the experimental diets until slaughter (12 weeks of age). At 6 weeks of age, 6 rabbits/diet were selected for gastrointestinal tract pH and caecal microbial count analyses. Live performance and health status were recorded weekly and daily, respectively. Carcass traits were measured after slaughter and hind leg (HL) and Longissimus lumborum (LL) meat were dissected for pHu and L*a*b* colour measurements. Minced meat from HL belonging to C and L6 dietary treatments was each split in two parts to incorporate liquorice extract at 0.25% (w/w), obtaining four groups of meat burgers: CC; CL; L6C and L6L. The pH, L*a*b* colour and microbial count (TVC, Coliforms, and Pseudomonas) were measured at days 0, 3 and 6 of refrigerated storage. A sensory analysis was conducted on LL meat of C and L6 dietary treatments, and tested attributes were odour, taste, flavour, texture and off-flavours. Liquorice dietary inclusion did not show a clear effect on live performance, resulting comparable among groups, with exception of the lowest growth rate for L2 rabbits (P < 0.001) that impaired their slaughter yield. Total aerobic bacteria of the caecal content increased with L inclusion level (P < 0.05). Rabbits of the L6 group exhibited the highest carcass weight with higher proportion of the mid part of the carcass (P < 0.01), but to the detriment of the hind part (P < 0.05), compared to the C group rabbits. Liquorice dietary inclusion level significantly increased dissectible fat proportion on the chilled carcass, due to the increase of perirenal fat depot (P < 0.05). Sensory analysis on the loin meat did not reveal differences in the considered attributes due to the dietary treatment. The L6C and L6L burgers exhibited the lowest microbial growth (particularly Pseudomonas) during refrigerated storage. In conclusion, live performance traits of rabbits seem not to benefit from the dietary supplementation of liquorice extract. However, the dietary inclusion was more effective than the incorporation into meat as antimicrobial on meat burgers. The combination of dietary and in-meat supplementation of liquorice extract exhibited the most effective antimicrobial effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research studied the effect of liquorice extract (in feed and/or directly in burgers) on the shelf-life of rabbit meat. Before weaning, 28 individually caged rabbit does with their litters were divided in two dietary groups: Control, receiving a commercial diet, and Liquorice, receiving the Control diet supplemented with 6 g liquorice extract/kg (L). At 12 weeks of age, 15 fattened rabbits/treatment (one rabbit/cage) were slaughtered and their hindlegs dissected. Hindleg meat was trimmed, individually minced and divided into two parts: one of them was mixed with 0.25% (w/w) L. Storage time significantly reduced the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the burger, to a different magnitude depending on the unsaturation level, experimental group and storage time. The α-tocopherol content showed higher levels during storage in the burgers from the Liquorice group. Also TBARs values showed a significant positive effect of dietary liquorice and a progressive increase at days 3 and 6 of storage. • Effect of in vivo or post-mortem liquorice extract administration on the shelf-life of rabbit burger was tested. • α-tocopherol content showed higher levels during storage in the burgers from the Liquorice group. • Unsaturated fatty acids (C20:5n-3 and C22:6n-3) were higher in the Liquorice groups. • Storage time reduced the amount of PUFA in the burger, depending on the liquorice supply. • Dietary liquorice, improved antioxidant activity and protected rabbit meat against lipid oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]