Reproduction of rabbits under tropical conditions, negative effects and possible solutions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29059/cienciauat.v13i1.989Keywords:
tropical conditions, rabbits, heat stress, Oryctolagus cuniculus, reproductive performanceAbstract
The digestive physiology and reproductive capacity of the rabbit make it a species with potential for meat production. In a temperate climate, its adequate reproductive management allows to obtain between 6 and 10 annual litters per female with 6 up to 12 kits per litter. In tropical areas, heat stress alters metabolism and hormonal function, decreasing their reproductive capacity. In females, the main changes include an increase in the secretion of corticosteroids, modifying the secretion of gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH), stimulating follicle hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), decreasing the growth and follicular development, oocyte quality and ovulation, and with it the number of births and size of litter. In males, libido and ability to mate are affected. In the seminal quality, a decrease of 7.8 % in volume, 7.7 % in concentration, 1.7 % in morphology and 5.5 % in motility is observed. The objective of the present work was to describe the strategies used to reduce the caloric stress. These included regulating the temperature in the facilities, supplementary food, crossing of local breeds with improved breeds, development of genetic lines for tropical climates, implementation of reproductive biotechnologies such as artificial insemination or cryopreservation of semen, improving the reproductive behavior of the rabbit under tropical conditions.
References
Abdel-Hamid, T. M. (2015). Crossbreeding parameters for growth traits in a complete three breeds diallel cross design of rabbits in Egypt. Journal of Advanced Veterinary and Animal Research. 2(2): 120-127.
Al-Saef, A. M., Khalil, M. H., Al-Homidan, A. H., Al-Dobaib, S. N., Al-Sobayil, K. A., García, M. L., and Baselga, M. (2008). Crossbreeding effects for litter and lactation traits in a Saudi project to develop new lines of rabbits suitable for hot climates. Livestock Science. 118(3): 238-246.
Arias-Álvarez, M., García-García, R. M., Rebollar, P. G., Gutiérrez-Adán, A., López-Béjar, M., and Lorenzo, P. L. (2013).Ovarian response and embryo gene expression patterns after nonsuperovulatory gonadotropin stimulation in primiparous rabbits does. Theriogenology. 79(2): 323-330.
Asemota, O. D., Aduba, P., Bello-Onaghise, G., and Orheruata, A. M. (2017). Effect of temperature -humidity index (THI) on the performance of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in the humid tropics. Archivos de Zootecnia. 66(254): 257-261.
Bakr, M. H., Tusell, L., Rafel, O., Terré, M., Sánchez, J. P., and Piles, M. (2015). Lactating performance, water and feed consumption of rabbit does reared under Mediterranean summer circadian cycle of temperature v. comfort temperature conditions. Animal. 9(7): 1203-1209.
Belabbas, R., García, M. L., Ainbaziz, H., Berbar, A., Zitounin, G., Lafri, M., and Argente, M. J. (2016). Ovulation rate and early embryonic survival rate in female rabbits of a synthetic line and a local Algerian population. World Rabbit Science. 24(4): 275-282.
Bresciani, C., Bianchera, A., Mazzanti, P. M., Bertocchi, M., Bettini, R., De Cesaris, V., ... and, Parmigiani, E. (2016). Evaluation of the effectiveness of an innovative semen extender (Formula ®) comparing with a traditional extender (Lepus ®) for artificial insemination in rabbit does. Italian Journal of Animal Science. 15(4): 584-589.
Buijs, S., Keeling, L. J., Rettenbacher, S., Maertens, L., and Tuyttens, F. A. (2011). Glucocorticoid metabolites in rabbit
faeces – influence of environmental enrichment and cage size. Physiology & Behavior. 104(3): 469-473.
Brun, J., Theau-Clément, M., and Bolet, G. (2002). The relationship between rabbit semen characteristics and reproductive performance after artificial insemination. Animal Reproduction Science. 70(1-2): 139-149.
Castellini, C., Dal-Bosco, A., Arias-Álvarez, M., Lorenzo, L. P., Cardinali, R., and García, R. P. (2010). The main factors
affecting the reproductive performance of rabbit does: A review. Animal Reproduction Science. 122(3-4): 174-182.
Castellini, C., Dal-Bosco, A., and Cardinali, R. (2006). Effect of post–weaning rhythm on the body fat and performance of rabbit does. Reproduction Nutrition Development. 46(2): 195-204.
Castellini, C., Dal-Bosco, A., and Mugnai, C. (2003). Comparison of different reproductive protocols for rabbit doe: effect of litter size and remating interval. Livestock Production Science. 83(2-3): 131-139.
Cervera, C. and Fernández-Carmona, J. (2010). Nutrition and the climatic environment. In C. De-Blas and J. Wiseman (Eds.), Nutrition of the rabbit (Second edition) pp. 267-284. UK: CABI.
Dal-Bosco, A., Mugnai, C., Castellini, C., and Laudazi, S. (2004). A prototype of colony cage for improving the welfare of rabbit does: preliminary results. In Proceedings of the 8th Congress of the World Rabbit Science Association. [En línea]. Disponible en: https://world-rabbit-science.com/WRSA-Proceedings/Congress-2004-Puebla/Puebla-2004-a.htm#welfare. Fecha de consulta: 24 de mayo de 2018.
Dal-Bosco, A., Rebollar, P. G., Boiti, C., Zerani, M., and Castellini, C. (2011). Ovulation induction in rabbit does, current knowledge and perspectives. Animal Reproduction Science. 129 (3-4): 106-117.
Di-lorio, M., Manchisi, A., Rocco, M., Chrenek, P., and Laffaldano, N. (2014). Comparison of different extenders on the preservability of Rabbit semen stored at 5 °C for 72 hours.Italian Journal of Animal Science. 13(4): 710-714.
Dubán, H. J., Gutiérrez, N. y Mauricio, O. O. (2012). Uso de subproductos agrícolas en la alimentación de conejos en fase de ceba y reproducción. Biotecnologia en el sector agropecuario y agroindustrial. 10(2): 236-242.
Eiben, C. S., Sándor, M., Sándor F., and Kustos, K. (2016). Effect of photostimulation, light source and season on reproductive performance of rabbit does, in Proceedings of the 11th World Rabbit Congress. [En línea]. Disponible en: https://world-rabbit-science.com/WRSA-Proceedings/Congress-2016-Qingdao/Papers/R-Reproduction/R06-Eiben. pdf. Fecha de consulta: 29 de mayo de 2018.
El-Hanoun, A. M., Elkomy, A. E., Fares, W. A., and Shahien, E. H. (2014). Impact of royal jelly to improve reproductive performance of male rabbit under hot summer conditions. World Rabbit Science. 22(3): 241-248.
El-Saidy, N. R., Allam, F. E., Balabel, T. M., and El-Midany, S. A. (2016). Evaluation of using honey, cool water and levamisole against heat stress on different traits of rabbits under Egyptian summer conditions. Worlds Veterinary Journal. 6(1): 10-18.
El-Raffa, A. M. (2004). Rabbit production in hot climates. In proceeding - 8TH World Rabbit Congress - Puebla, México. [En linea]. Disponible en: https://world-rabbit-science.com/WRSA-Proceedings/Congress-2004-Puebla/Papers/FAO-Rabbit-Science-Dev-Countries/S0-El-Raffa.pdf. Fecha de consulta: 23 de agosto de 2016.
FAO, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2015). The Second Report on the State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture edited by B.D. Scherf & D. Pilling. FAO commission on Genetic Resources of Food and Agriculture Assesments. [En línea]. Disponible en: www.fao.org/3/a-i4787e.pdf. Fecha de consulta: 23 de agosto de 2016.
Fik, M., Malíková, L., and Gašparík J. (2013). The possibility of using of selected biotechnological method by Dwarf Rabbit. Scientific Papers Animal Science and Biotechnologies. 46(2): 104-107.
Gado, H., Mellado, M., Salem, A. Z. M., Zaragoza, A., and Seleem, T. S. T. (2015). Semen characteristics, sexual hormones and libido of Hy-Plus rabbit bucks influenced by a dietary multi-enzyme additive. World Rabbit Science. 23(2): 111-120.
Gogol, P. (2016). Effect of goserelin and leuprolide added to the semen on reproductive performance in rabbits - Short communication. Acta Veterinaria Hungarica. 64(1): 116-119.
International Rabbit Reproduction Group (2005). Guidelines for the handling of rabbit bucks and semen. World Rabbit Science. 13(2): 71-91.
Gidenne, T., Garreau, H., Drouilhet, L., Aubert, C., and Maertens, L. (2017) Improving feed efficiency in rabbitproduction, a review on nutritional, technico-economical, genetic and environmental aspects. Animal Feed Science and Technology. 225: 109-122.
Hakima, M. K., Rachid, K., Sihem, S., Ahmed, B., Billel, D., Youcef, K., and Hachemi, M. (2013). Genetical crossbreeding effect on the zootechnical performances of the domestic rabbit (Algeria) x Californian. Journal of Life Sciences. 7(2): 165-170.
Ilés, I., Benazzoug, Y., Messili, A., Boukhari, S., and Boiti, C. (2013). Oestrus induction in primiparous lactating rabbits by a 48 hours mother-litter separation: endocrine and behavioural responses. World Rabbit Science. 21(3): 161-168.
Khalil, M. H. and Al-Homidan, A. H. (2014). Genetic evaluation for growth traits and thermo tolerance parameters in synthesizing program of new rabbits. Animal Biotechnology. 1(7): 1.
López, O. y Montejo, I. L. (2005). Evaluación de indicadores productivos en conejas mestizas alimentadas con morera y otros forrajes. Pastos y forrajes. 28(2): 163-168.
Lorenzo, P. L., García-García, R. M., Arias-Álvarez, M., and Rebollar, P. G. (2014). Reproductive and nutritional management on ovarian response and embryo quality on rabbit does. Reproduction in Domestic Animals. 49(s4): 49-55.
Malhi, Y., Doughty, C., and Galbraith, D. (2011). The allocation ecosystem net primary productivity in tropical forests. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London Series B Biological Sciences. 366(1582): 3225-3245.
Marai, I. F. M., Askar, A. A., and Bahgat, L. B. (2006). Tolerance of New Zealand White and Californian doe rabbits at first parity to the sub – tropical environment of Egypt. Livestock Science. 104(1): 165-172.
Marai, I. F. M., Habeeb, A. A. M., and Gad, A. E. (2004). Reproductive traits of female rabbits as affected by heat stress and lighting regime, under subtropical conditions of Egypt. Animal Science. 78(1): 119-127.
Marai, I. F. M., Habeeb, A. A. M., and Gad, A. E. (2007). Biological functions in young pregnant rabbit does as affected by heat stress and lighting regime under subtropical conditions of Egypt. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems. 7(3): 165-176.
Matics, Zs., Gerencsér, Zs., Radnai, I., Dalle-Zotte, A., Palumbo, M., Mikó A., Kasza R., and Szendrö, Zs. (2013).
Effect of different lighting schedules (16L: 8D or 12L: 6D) on reproductive performance and nursing behavior of rabbit does. Livestock Science. 157: 545-551.
Maya-Soriano, M. J., Taberner, E., Sabés-Alsina, M., Ramon, J., Rafel, O., Tusel, L., and López-Bejar, M. (2015). Daily exposure to summer temperatures affects the motile subpopulation structure of epididymal sperm cells but not male fertility in an in vivo rabbit model. Theriogenology. 84(3): 384-389.
Mikó, A., Matics, Zs., Gerencsér, Zs., Odermatt, M., Radnai, I., Nagy I., Szendrö, K., and Szendrö, Zs. (2014). Performance and welfare of rabbit does in various caging systems. Animal. 8(7): 1146–1152.
Mobarak, H., Gaffar, A., Chowdury, A., Begumu, S., Haydar, R., Jemy, A., and Salma, U. (2015). Improvement of reproductive performance of rabbit does by hormonal and acetic acid treatment in hot – humid climatic condition of Bangladesh. International Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine. 3(3): 67-74.
Mocé, E. and Vicente, J. S. (2009). Rabbit sperm cryopre-servation: A review. Animal Reproduction Science. 110(1): 1-24.
Mousa-Balabel, T. M. (2004). Effect of heat stress on New Zealand White rabbits behavior and performance. Minufiya
Veterinary Journal. 3(1): 125-134.
Naturil-Alfonso, C., Lavara, R., Vicente, J. S., and Marco-Jiménez, F. (2016). Effects of female dietary restriction in a
rabbit growth line during rearing on reproductive performance and embrio quality. Reproduction in Domestic Animals. 51(1): 114-122.
Ogunjimi, L. A. O., Ogunwande, G. A., and Osunade, J. A. (2008). Rabbit weight gain, feed efficiency, rectal temperature and respiration rate as affected by building thermal environment in the humid tropical climate of Southwestern Nigeria. Agricultural Engineering International: the CIGR Ejournal. 10: 1-14.
Okab, A. B. (2007). Semen characteristics and plasma testosterone of New-Zealand male rabbits as affected by en-vironmental temperatures. Slovak Journal of Animal Science. 40: 161-167.
Olanguju, F. I. and Sanusi, W. A. (2010). Economic recovery of backyard rabbitory for self-suficiency in Oyo state, Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Research. 5(16): 2232-2236.
Pascual, J. J., Marco-Jiménez, F., Martínez-Paredes, E., Ródenas, L., Fabre, C., Juvero, M. A., and Cano, J. L. (2016). Feeding programs promotinf daily feed intake stability in rabbit males reduce sperm abnormalities and improve fertility. Theriogenology. 86(3): 730-737.
Piles, M., Tusell, L., Lavara, R., and Baselga, M. (2013). Breeding programmes to improve male reproductive performance and efficiency of insemination dose production in paternal lines: feasibility and limitations. World Rabbit Science. 21(2): 61-75.
Prola, L., Cornale, P., Renna, M., Macchi, E., Perona, G., and Mimosi A. (2013). Effect of breed, cage type and reproductive phase on fecal corticosterone levels in rabbit doe. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. 16(2): 140-149.
Roca, J., Martínez, S., Orengo, J., Parrilla, I., Vázquez, J. M., and Martínez, A. E. (2005). Influence of constant long day on ejaculate parameters of rabbits reared under natural environment conditions of Mediterranean area. Livestock Production Science. 94(3): 169-177.
Rhoads, R. P., Baumgard, L. H., Saugee, J. K, and Sanders, S. R. (2013). Nutritional interventions to alleviate the negative consequences of heat stress. Advances in nutrition. 4(3): 267-276.
Sabés-Alsina, M., Tallo-Parra, O., Mogas, M. T., Morrel, J. M., and Lopez-Bejar, M. (2016). Heat stress has an effect on motility and metabolic activity of rabbit spermatozoa. Animal Reproduction Science. 173: 18-23.
Safwat, A. M., Sarmiento–Franco, L., Santos–Ricalde, R., and Nieves, D. (2014). Effect of dietary inclusion of Leucaena leucocephala or Moringa oleifera leaf meal on performance of growing rabbits. Tropical animal health and production. 46: 1193-1198.
Sánchez, L. A., Torres, N. E., Meza, B. G., Estupiñán, V. K., Torres, N. Y., Barrera, A. A., …, and López, I. L. (2012). Efecto de dos leguminosas y banano maduro en la producción y reproducción de conejos Nueva Zelanda. Ciencia y Tecnología. 5(2): 27-31.
Sakr, O. G., García-García, R. M., Arias-Álvarez, M., Lorenzo, P. L., Millán, P., Velasco, B. y Rebollar, P. G. (2012). Métodos de sincronización de cello en conejas primíparas lactantes a 25 días post-parto. Revista Complutense de Ciencias Veterinarias. 6(1): 6-13.
Samkol, P. and Lukefahr, S. D. (2008). A challenging role for organic rabbit production towards poverty alleviation in
south east Asia. In Proceedings of the 9th World Rabbit Congress. [En línea]. Disponible en: https://www.researchga
te.net/profile/Pok_Samkol/publication/264979034_a_challenging_role_for_organic_rabbit_production_towards_poverty_alleviation_in_south_east_asia/links/53fa9f310cf27c365cf0391f.pdf. Fecha de consulta: 29 de mayo de 2018.
Serem, J. K., Wanyoike, M. M., Gachuiri, C. K., Mailu, S. K., Gathumbi, P. K., Mwanza, R. N., …, and Borter, D. K (2013) Characterization of rabbit production systems in Kenya. Journal of Agricultural Science and Application. 2(3): 155-159.
Sirotkin, A. V., Chrenek, P., Kolesarová, A., Parillo, F., Zerani, M., and Boiti, C. (2014). Novel regulators of rabbit reproductive functions. Animal Reproduction Science. 148(3): 188-196.
Szendrö, Z., Gerencsér, Z., McNitt, J. I., and Matics, Z. (2016). Effect of lighting on rabbits and its role in rabbit production: A review. Livestock Science. 183: 12-18.
Szendrő, Z., Mikó, A., Odermatt, M., Gerencsér, Z., Radnai, I., Dezséry, B., ..., and Matics, Z. (2013). Comparison of performance and welfare of single-caged and group –housed rabbit does. Animal. 7(3): 463-468.
Szendrö, Z. S., Rashwan, A. A., Biró-Németh, E., Radnai, I., and Orova, Z. (2007). Effect of shearing of hair in summer on production of rabbit does. Acta Agraria Kaposvá-roensis. 11(1): 37-42.
Szendrö, Z., Szendrö, K., and Dalle-Zotte, A. (2012). Management of reproduction on small, medium and large rabbit farms: A review. Asian Australasian Journal of Animal Science. 25(5): 738-748.
Theau-Clément, M., Ailloud, E., Sanchez, A., Saleil, G., and Brun, J. M. (2016) Relationship between rabbit semen cha-
racteristics and fertilising ability after insemination. Animal. 10(3): 426-431.
Trejo, A., Meza-Villalvazo, V. M., Ramírez-Ordoñes, S., Cisneros, C. M. A. y Villa-Mancera, A. (2013). Incubación de semen post-eyaculación como método para alterar la proporción de sexo de las crías producto de la inseminación artificial en conejas. Archivos Latinoamericanos de Producción Animal. 21(4): 227-231.
Trocino, A. and Xiccato, G. (2006). Animal welfare in reared rabbits: a review with emphasis on housing systems. World Rabbit Science. 14(2): 77- 93.
Vélez-Marín, M. and Uribe-Velásquez, L. F. (2010). ¿Cómo afecta el estrés calórico la reproducción? Biosalud. 9(2): 83-95.
Verga, M., Luzi, F., and Carenzi, C. (2007). Effects of husbandry and management systems on physiology and behaviour of farmed and laboratory rabbits. Hormones and Behavior. 52(1): 122-129.
Viudes-de-Castro, M. P., Lavara, R., Safaa, H. M., Marco-Jiménez, F., Mehaisen, G. M. K., and Vicente, J. S. (2014). Effect of freezing extender composition and male line on semen traits and reproductive performance in rabbits. Animal. 8(5): 765-770.
Yassein, S. A., Mahmoud, K. Gh. M., Maghraby, N., and Ezzo, O. H. (2008). Hot climate effects and their amelioration on some productive and reproductive traits in rabbit does. World Rabbit Science. 16(3): 173-181.
Zeweil, H. S., Elnagar, S., Zahran, S. M., Ahmed, M. H., and El-Gindy, Y. (2013). Pomegranate peel as a natural antioxi-dant boost bucks fertility under egyptian summer conditions. World Rabbit Science. 21(1): 33-39.
Zeweil, H. S., Zahran, S. M., Abd-El-Rahman, M. H., El-Gindy, Y. M., and Gebril, M. M. (2016). Effects of dietary bee pollen and mannan oligosacharide on semen quality in rabbits under Egyptian summer conditions. Egyptian Poultry Science Journal. 36(4): 973-984.
