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Effect of short heat exposure, balanced feed restriction and acetic acid supplement at post weaning on growth and thermoregulation in growing rabbits during hot season
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Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine hypothesis that thermal or other stressors (like nutritional deficiencies and acidosis in the gut) at the moment of weaning may be beneficial in post-weaning. growth and thermoregulation in later stage of rabbit life during summer season. Eighty New Zealand White rabbit kits were weaned at 30 days of age with average weight of 606.9±26.6 g. At the moment of weaning kits were divided into 4 groups: 1st group, kits were kept as control (control): 2nd group. kits were fed a restricted diet during the 1st week post weaning (restriction): 3rd group, kits were exposed to high ambient temperature (34±°C) for 1 hour (heat); 4th group, kits were supplemented with 0.5% acetic acid in drinking water (acetic). During the first week post-weaning, feed intake was increased by 10.6% and 1.8% in acetic and heat groups in comparison with the control, respectively. Feed restriction during the first week post-weaning led to reduction in live body weight and body weight gain. Although weaning in rabbit is often associated with lower weight gain, the body weight, and body weight gain in the 1st , 2nd and 4th week post-weaning in kits of heat exposure and acetic acid groups were higher than in the control group. Increases in body weight and body weight gain in the heat group may be attributed to immediate compensatory growth with higher feed intake that followed the reduction in growth during thermal conditioning. Body weight and body weight gain in the 10th week of age under hot summer season in acetic acid and restriction groups were higher than those in control in the 10th week of age during high ambient temperature (41°C). Rectal temperature ofrabbits in the control group was greater than that in other groups. Under the same condition, hydrogen . peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO) in plasma increased in heat group but decreased in feed restriction and acetic acid groups compared with the control group. Total antioxidant capacity and catalase in plasma of all treated groups were higher than in the control group. In conclusion, short heat exposure or balanced feed restriction and acetic acid supplement at the moment of weaning led to the improvement in post weaning growth and in thermo-tolerance during summer season in rabbits.
Keywords: Feed restriction, Short heat exposure, Acetic acid, Feed conversion, Rectal temperature, Oxidative stress profile.
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| Publication year |
2008
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| Pages |
507-513
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| Availability location |
معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى - الجيزة
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| Availability number |
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| Organization Name |
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| City |
فيرونيا
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| serial title |
9th Wrsa. World Rabbit Congress
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| Author(s) from ARC |
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| Agris Categories |
Animal physiology - Nutrition
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AGROVOC
TERMS |
Acetic acid.
Body temperature.
Feed conversion efficiency.
Growth.
Rabbits.
Thermoregulation.
Warm season.
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| Proposed Agrovoc |
short heat exposure;balanced feed restriction;Oxidative stress profile;
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| Publication Type |
Conference/Workshop
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