Effect of permanent hyperthermic stress on broiler rabbits [electronic resource].

Includes references.

The aim of this study was to verify the effect of defined hyperthermic stress and physiological response of New Zealand White (NZW) doe and young rabbits to this stress. We studied the effect of permanent hyperthermic exposure (34 ± 4°C) on: selected reproductive indices (pregnancy, mortality of pregnant does, mortality of newborn rabbits and mortality of young rabbits from 35 to 91 days old, growth of live weight, digestibility of nutrients and haematological characteristics (calcium, glucose, total albumins, cholesterol). In experimental group (EG) were integrated 20 pregnant does and 32 (16 ♂& 16 ♀) young rabbits and in control group (CG) were used 20 pregnant does and 36 (18 ♂& 18 ♀ in CG) young rabbits (35 days old). Mortality of does in EG was 20% vs 5% in CG. The number of rabbits born alive was higher in the CG (8.05) vs in the EG (5.2). In the EG was significantly lower digestibility of nutrients than in the CG (dry mater 63.78% vs 68.03%; crude protein 74.68 % vs 79.27%; fat 79.38% vs 83.78%; crude fibre 30.57% vs 31.70% and organic matter 64.75% vs 69.22%). The differences between young rabbits (35-91 days old) in EG and CG groups were significant in weight gain (23.67 g vs 32.76 g). The rabbits in the EG produced lower weight gain (-509.02 g/rabbit) vs CG and live weight (2500 g) was achieved about 20.79 days later as in control group. Exposure of the young rabbits to hyperthermic conditions affects negatively their biochemical indicators.

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