Regression Analysis of Count Data: Preface

Use of polyphenol-rich grape by-products in monogastric nutrition. A review

This review is focused on the most studied and developed substances which are commonly knownas alternatives to dietary antibiotics, particularly as far as rabbit feeds are concerned. After a reminder of thereason to be and success of antibiotic growth promoters, and why they lately came to be banned in theEuropean Union, we successively deal with probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes and organic acids. Data on rabbitsare, as expected, quite scarce when compared to species such as pigs and poultry. Nevertheless, theavailable performance results are discussed together with the possible mechanisms of action. Special mentionis made of the effects of these substances on digestibility and caecal activity.

https://polipapers.upv.es/index.php/wrs/article/download/597/584

Alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in rabbit feeding: a review

Main force and weakness points of poultry and rabbit production chains are presented and meat quality discussed in relation to nutritional and technological issues. An analysis of the most important poultry and rabbit meat quality traits and their major relationships with production factors (genotype, feeding, housing, pre-slaughter handling, slaughtering, and processing) is provided. Most recent research advancements are presen- ted in view of the consumer’s demand for healthy and safe products obtained respecting animal welfare.

Advances in research on poultry and rabbit meat quality

Lavandin (Lavandula hybrida) essential oil contains components with biocide and antiviral properties that can be used as substitutes for synthetic drugs in livestock. This application requires an appropriate formulation of the essential oil. Liposomes are promising drug carriers, because they can enhance the skin penetration of drugs, deliver the entrapped drugs across cell membranes, and improve essential oil stability and bioavailability. In this work, the incorporation of lavandin essential oil in liposomes produced with commercially available lecithins and cholesterol has been studied. Two different liposome production methods have been tested: a modification of the Bangham thin-film method and the particles from gas-saturated solutions (PGSS) drying process. Liposomes obtained with the thin-film method were multivesicular or unilamellar/multilamellar with a mean diameter of 0.4−1.3 μm and an efficiency of incorporation of essential oil of up to 66%. The liposomes were stable for at least 1 month. On ...

Liposomal Incorporation of Lavandin Essential Oil by a Thin-Film Hydration Method and by Particles from Gas-Saturated Solutions

Performance response of lactating and growing rabbits to dietary lignin content

In the European context, the new legislation to avoid mineral contamination and the ban on antibiotics as growth promoters has led to the definition of new objectives in respect of nitrogen supply. The present study summarizes the state of nitrogen nutrition in rabbits and reviews the role of protein and amino acids in rabbit health and the new nitrogen value of protein sources based on true ileal digestibility (TID) for future recommendations. The main sources of nitrogen for microbial growth are ammonia, urea and protein (endogenous and dietary). The surplus of nitrogen flow to the caecum increases mortality rates during fattening by favouring the growth of potential pathogenic bacteria. Accordingly, feeding strategies to reduce ileal nitrogen flow have been reviewed. A large reduction of dietary protein level might have negative consequences on growth performances and mortality. In order to formulate balanced low protein diets, data on ileal and faecal amino acid digestibility of 14 raw materials is summarized. The use of this different unit for amino acid digestibility is also discussed.

https://polipapers.upv.es/index.php/wrs/article/download/664/651

New concepts and objectives for protein-amino acid nutrition in rabbits: a review

The role of gut barrier against pathogens and its interaction with dietary factors in weaned rabbits affected with digestive disorders, especially epizootic rabbit enteropathy is reviewed This interaction was studied identifying nutritive factors that influence gut barrier function of mucosa It was examined the morphology, and enzyme activity of mucosa and the gut associated immune system Besides, it was characterized the substrate that reaches the caecum and its capacity to favour pathogen bacteria growth, by reviewing the effect of diet on ileal digestibility of nutrients, transit time and microbiota population The nutritional factors which affect health of early weaned rabbits are level and type of both fibre and protein The optimal dietary level of insoluble fibre to minimise mortality is 30-32% Furthermore, a moderate inclusion of soluble fibre (12%) improves mucosa integrity and decreases mortality and the frequency of detection of Clostridium perfringens and Campylobacter spp in the caecum The reduction of ileal nitrogen flow had a positive effect on pups viability and frequency of detection of C perfringens Furthermore, dietary supplementation with 1% of glutamine reduced fattening mortality, the frequency of detection of C perfringens, and Helicobacter spp, and diminished the counts of Eimeria spp at the jejunum In conclusion, a correct diet formulation may help to limit the epizootic rabbit enteropathy incidence in weaned rabbits Additional key words: fibre, gut barrier function, protein, weaning, young rabbits

http://www.inia.es/gcontrec/pub/015-025-R._New_trends_1204278058515.pdf

New trends in rabbit feeding: influence of nutrition on intestinal health

The effect of a time-limited access to the feeders (8 h per d from 9:30 to 17:30) on fattening performance and health status was studied in rabbits reared until 2 kg live-weight as typical in the Spanish market. For this purpose, the same diet (10.5 MJ digestible energy/kg, 38.9% neutral detergent fi bre and 18.4% crude protein on dry matter basis) was used over two consecutive trials. A total of 192 growing rabbits (96 in each trial) were weaned at 35 d and assigned to 2 different feeding treatments (continuously fed ad libitum or restricted from 35 until 49 d). In the fi rst trial, feed restriction reduced daily feed intake (94.3 vs. 74.2 g; P<0.001), daily weight gain (43.6 vs. 27.1 g; P<0.001) and impaired feed conversion rate (FCR) (2.28 vs. 2.92, P<0.001) in the fi rst 14 d after weaning. Later on, no feed restriction was applied and a compensatory growth was observed in previously restricted rabbits (44.8 vs. 54.8 g/d; P<0.001). Early restricted rabbits did not reach the Spanish commercial weight (2 kg) at 63 d of age and weighed less than full-fed rabbits (1989 vs. 1888 g; P=0.001). Moreover, feed restriction did not improve FCR in the whole fattening period (2.56 on average). The second trial was extended until 70 d to permit restricted rabbits to attain market weight. However, at that age, live weight of restricted rabbits was also lower than that of rabbits always fed ad libitum (2285 vs. 2101 g; P=0.001). In the fi rst trial, no health problem was recorded (average mortality 1.04%) whereas in the second trial feed restriction allowed both mortality (25.6 vs. 6.34%, P=0.017) and morbidity (41.4 vs. 12.7%, P=0.004) to decrease. The higher number of losses in the second trial made economic FCR differ from scientifi c FCR (3.63 vs. 2.89, on average) in the 35-70 d period. Moreover, morbidity increased heterogeneity of fattening performance. In conclusion, the interest of feed restriction in Spanish fattening rabbit farms is mitigated by the conventional market weight. Nevertheless, in a context with high rates of digestive troubles, a time-limited access to the feeder enhances health status on the farm and could justify the short delay necessary to reach slaughter weight.

https://polipapers.upv.es/index.php/wrs/article/download/778/782

Effect of early feed restriction on performance and health status in growing rabbits slaughtered at 2 kg live-weight

Effect of a reduction of dietary particle size by substituting a mixture of fibrous by-products for lucerne hay on performance and digestion of growing rabbits and lactating does

N. Nicodemus

Papers

Performance response of lactating and growing rabbits to dietary lignin content

New concepts and objectives for protein-amino acid nutrition in rabbits: a review

New trends in rabbit feeding: influence of nutrition on intestinal health

Effect of early feed restriction on performance and health status in growing rabbits slaughtered at 2 kg live-weight

Effect of a reduction of dietary particle size by substituting a mixture of fibrous by-products for lucerne hay on performance and digestion of growing rabbits and lactating does