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[EN] This study examined the effects of feed restriction at different stages of rabbit pregnancy on body condition and productive performance. Just after insemination, pregnant primiparous New Zealand White does were assigned to 4 groups (10/group): the control group (C) was fed with 130 g/d of commercial feed while the others received 90 g/d from day 0 to 9 (R1), from day 9 to 18 (R2) or from day 19 to 28 (R3) of pregnancy and 130 g/d the remaining periods. A 3-point scale for loin and rump was used to calculate the aggregate body condition score (BCS), while perirenal fat weight (PFW) was estimated by ultrasound measurement of its thickness. The C does showed a positive balance of the pregnancy (0-26 d) for both body weight (P<0.001) and PFW (P<0.01). In particular, these increases occurred in the first 18 d of pregnancy (BW: P<0.001; PFW: P<0.05). The R1 does showed compensatory body growth after feed restriction (10-18 d: P<0.01), but lower BCS (P<0.05) at 26 d compared to control group. Feed restriction in mid and late pregnancy determined negative PFW balance (0-26 d: P<0.05), lower BCS at 26 d (R2: P<0.05) or lower BW gain compared to control (R3: P<0.05). The effects of feed restriction on productive performance depended on the restriction period: while R1 does did not show any differences compared to C, restriction during the last third of pregnancy increased perinatal (9.9 vs. 16.1%; P<0.05) and pre-weaning mortality (10.6 vs. 36.7%; P<0.01). However, milk production was lower in all restricted groups (C: 156, R1: 132, R2: 133; R3: 124 g/d; P<0.001, respectively). Thus, the energy deficit due to concurrent undernutrition and metabolic demands during pregnancy has short- and long-term consequences on both mother and offspring.

[EN] This study examined the effects of feed restriction at different stages of rabbit pregnancy on body condition and productive performance. Just after insemination, pregnant primiparous New Zealand White does were assigned to 4 groups (10/group): the control group (C) was fed with 130 g/d of commercial feed while the others received 90 g/d from day 0 to 9 (R1), from day 9 to 18 (R2) or from day 19 to 28 (R3) of pregnancy and 130 g/d the remaining periods. A 3-point scale for loin and rump was used to calculate the aggregate body condition score (BCS), while perirenal fat weight (PFW) was estimated by ultrasound measurement of its thickness. The C does showed a positive balance of the pregnancy (0-26 d) for both body weight (P<0.001) and PFW (P<0.01). In particular, these increases occurred in the first 18 d of pregnancy (BW: P<0.001; PFW: P<0.05). The R1 does showed compensatory body growth after feed restriction (10-18 d: P<0.01), but lower BCS (P<0.05) at 26 d compared to control group. Feed restriction in mid and late pregnancy determined negative PFW balance (0-26 d: P<0.05), lower BCS at 26 d (R2: P<0.05) or lower BW gain compared to control (R3: P<0.05). The effects of feed restriction on productive performance depended on the restriction period: while R1 does did not show any differences compared to C, restriction during the last third of pregnancy increased perinatal (9.9 vs. 16.1%; P<0.05) and pre-weaning mortality (10.6 vs. 36.7%; P<0.01). However, milk production was lower in all restricted groups (C: 156, R1: 132, R2: 133; R3: 124 g/d; P<0.001, respectively). Thus, the energy deficit due to concurrent undernutrition and metabolic demands during pregnancy has short- and long-term consequences on both mother and offspring.

[EN] This study examined the effects of feed restriction at different stages of rabbit pregnancy on body condition and productive performance. Just after insemination, pregnant primiparous New Zealand White does were assigned to 4 groups (10/group): the control group (C) was fed with 130 g/d of commercial feed while the others received 90 g/d from day 0 to 9 (R1), from day 9 to 18 (R2) or from day 19 to 28 (R3) of pregnancy and 130 g/d the remaining periods. A 3-point scale for loin and rump was used to calculate the aggregate body condition score (BCS), while perirenal fat weight (PFW) was estimated by ultrasound measurement of its thickness. The C does showed a positive balance of the pregnancy (0-26 d) for both body weight (P<0.001) and PFW (P<0.01). In particular, these increases occurred in the first 18 d of pregnancy (BW: P<0.001; PFW: P<0.05). The R1 does showed compensatory body growth after feed restriction (10-18 d: P<0.01), but lower BCS (P<0.05) at 26 d compared to control group. Feed restriction in mid and late pregnancy determined negative PFW balance (0-26 d: P<0.05), lower BCS at 26 d (R2: P<0.05) or lower BW gain compared to control (R3: P<0.05). The effects of feed restriction on productive performance depended on the restriction period: while R1 does did not show any differences compared to C, restriction during the last third of pregnancy increased perinatal (9.9 vs. 16.1%; P<0.05) and pre-weaning mortality (10.6 vs. 36.7%; P<0.01). However, milk production was lower in all restricted groups (C: 156, R1: 132, R2: 133; R3: 124 g/d; P<0.001, respectively). Thus, the energy deficit due to concurrent undernutrition and metabolic demands during pregnancy has short- and long-term consequences on both mother and offspring.

[EN] This study examined the effects of feed restriction at different stages of rabbit pregnancy on body condition and productive performance. Just after insemination, pregnant primiparous New Zealand White does were assigned to 4 groups (10/group): the control group (C) was fed with 130 g/d of commercial feed while the others received 90 g/d from day 0 to 9 (R1), from day 9 to 18 (R2) or from day 19 to 28 (R3) of pregnancy and 130 g/d the remaining periods. A 3-point scale for loin and rump was used to calculate the aggregate body condition score (BCS), while perirenal fat weight (PFW) was estimated by ultrasound measurement of its thickness. The C does showed a positive balance of the pregnancy (0-26 d) for both body weight (P<0.001) and PFW (P<0.01). In particular, these increases occurred in the first 18 d of pregnancy (BW: P<0.001; PFW: P<0.05). The R1 does showed compensatory body growth after feed restriction (10-18 d: P<0.01), but lower BCS (P<0.05) at 26 d compared to control group. Feed restriction in mid and late pregnancy determined negative PFW balance (0-26 d: P<0.05), lower BCS at 26 d (R2: P<0.05) or lower BW gain compared to control (R3: P<0.05). The effects of feed restriction on productive performance depended on the restriction period: while R1 does did not show any differences compared to C, restriction during the last third of pregnancy increased perinatal (9.9 vs. 16.1%; P<0.05) and pre-weaning mortality (10.6 vs. 36.7%; P<0.01). However, milk production was lower in all restricted groups (C: 156, R1: 132, R2: 133; R3: 124 g/d; P<0.001, respectively). Thus, the energy deficit due to concurrent undernutrition and metabolic demands during pregnancy has short- and long-term consequences on both mother and offspring.

[EN] This study examined the effects of feed restriction at different stages of rabbit pregnancy on body condition and productive performance. Just after insemination, pregnant primiparous New Zealand White does were assigned to 4 groups (10/group): the control group (C) was fed with 130 g/d of commercial feed while the others received 90 g/d from day 0 to 9 (R1), from day 9 to 18 (R2) or from day 19 to 28 (R3) of pregnancy and 130 g/d the remaining periods. A 3-point scale for loin and rump was used to calculate the aggregate body condition score (BCS), while perirenal fat weight (PFW) was estimated by ultrasound measurement of its thickness. The C does showed a positive balance of the pregnancy (0-26 d) for both body weight (P<0.001) and PFW (P<0.01). In particular, these increases occurred in the first 18 d of pregnancy (BW: P<0.001; PFW: P<0.05). The R1 does showed compensatory body growth after feed restriction (10-18 d: P<0.01), but lower BCS (P<0.05) at 26 d compared to control group. Feed restriction in mid and late pregnancy determined negative PFW balance (0-26 d: P<0.05), lower BCS at 26 d (R2: P<0.05) or lower BW gain compared to control (R3: P<0.05). The effects of feed restriction on productive performance depended on the restriction period: while R1 does did not show any differences compared to C, restriction during the last third of pregnancy increased perinatal (9.9 vs. 16.1%; P<0.05) and pre-weaning mortality (10.6 vs. 36.7%; P<0.01). However, milk production was lower in all restricted groups (C: 156, R1: 132, R2: 133; R3: 124 g/d; P<0.001, respectively). Thus, the energy deficit due to concurrent undernutrition and metabolic demands during pregnancy has short- and long-term consequences on both mother and offspring.

[EN] This study examined the effects of feed restriction at different stages of rabbit pregnancy on body condition and productive performance. Just after insemination, pregnant primiparous New Zealand White does were assigned to 4 groups (10/group): the control group (C) was fed with 130 g/d of commercial feed while the others received 90 g/d from day 0 to 9 (R1), from day 9 to 18 (R2) or from day 19 to 28 (R3) of pregnancy and 130 g/d the remaining periods. A 3-point scale for loin and rump was used to calculate the aggregate body condition score (BCS), while perirenal fat weight (PFW) was estimated by ultrasound measurement of its thickness. The C does showed a positive balance of the pregnancy (0-26 d) for both body weight (P<0.001) and PFW (P<0.01). In particular, these increases occurred in the first 18 d of pregnancy (BW: P<0.001; PFW: P<0.05). The R1 does showed compensatory body growth after feed restriction (10-18 d: P<0.01), but lower BCS (P<0.05) at 26 d compared to control group. Feed restriction in mid and late pregnancy determined negative PFW balance (0-26 d: P<0.05), lower BCS at 26 d (R2: P<0.05) or lower BW gain compared to control (R3: P<0.05). The effects of feed restriction on productive performance depended on the restriction period: while R1 does did not show any differences compared to C, restriction during the last third of pregnancy increased perinatal (9.9 vs. 16.1%; P<0.05) and pre-weaning mortality (10.6 vs. 36.7%; P<0.01). However, milk production was lower in all restricted groups (C: 156, R1: 132, R2: 133; R3: 124 g/d; P<0.001, respectively). Thus, the energy deficit due to concurrent undernutrition and metabolic demands during pregnancy has short- and long-term consequences on both mother and offspring.

[EN] In order to study the metabolic adaptation in response to 48 h transient doe-litter separation (DLS) in young rabbits (5 rabbits/d group) between postnatal 9 and 11 d, plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones T3 and T4, insulin, leptin, glucose, triglycerides (TG), and free fatty acids (FFA) were examined before (6-8 d), during (9-11 d), and after separation (12-16 d). T3 concentrations in newborn control rabbits gradually increased from 0.6 ng/mL at postnatal 6 d to 1.0 ng/mL at postnatal 16 d, whereas those of T4 remained fairly constant (25 ng/mL) up to postnatal 14 d, when T4 gradually declined to 8 ng/mL. T3 values of DLS newborn rabbits did not differ from those of controls at postnatal 10 and 11 d, but were lower (P<0.05) at postnatal 12 d, while T4 concentrations in DLS animals increased, although not significantly, between postnatal 10 and 12 d compared to controls. Insulin concentrations in young control rabbits ranged between 0.6 and 1.0 mg/L in the early postnatal days, whereas those for leptin averaged 2-3 ng/mL. Insulin and leptin values in DLS newborn rabbits were lower (P<0.05) at postnatal 10 and 11 d, but thereafter rebounded to levels close to those of controls. Glycaemia showed a comparable trend in both groups, ranging between 170 and 190 mg/dL up to postnatal 14 d, but thereafter decreased (P<0.05) to values of 120-130 mg/dL independently of treatment. Concentrations of TG varied greatly from day to day around a mean value of 300 mg/dL, whereas those of FFA remained at approximately the same steady-state levels from postnatal 6 to 16 d, averaging 0.8 mM without any significant differences between groups. In conclusion, these findings confirm that newborn rabbits can cope with the metabolic stress of starvation associated with DLS by lowering insulin and leptin concentrations while maintaining those of thyroid hormones, an overall endocrine response which, together with temporary increase of glucorticoids, successfully maintains an adequat

[EN] In order to study the metabolic adaptation in response to 48 h transient doe-litter separation (DLS) in young rabbits (5 rabbits/d group) between postnatal 9 and 11 d, plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones T3 and T4, insulin, leptin, glucose, triglycerides (TG), and free fatty acids (FFA) were examined before (6-8 d), during (9-11 d), and after separation (12-16 d). T3 concentrations in newborn control rabbits gradually increased from 0.6 ng/mL at postnatal 6 d to 1.0 ng/mL at postnatal 16 d, whereas those of T4 remained fairly constant (25 ng/mL) up to postnatal 14 d, when T4 gradually declined to 8 ng/mL. T3 values of DLS newborn rabbits did not differ from those of controls at postnatal 10 and 11 d, but were lower (P<0.05) at postnatal 12 d, while T4 concentrations in DLS animals increased, although not significantly, between postnatal 10 and 12 d compared to controls. Insulin concentrations in young control rabbits ranged between 0.6 and 1.0 mg/L in the early postnatal days, whereas those for leptin averaged 2-3 ng/mL. Insulin and leptin values in DLS newborn rabbits were lower (P<0.05) at postnatal 10 and 11 d, but thereafter rebounded to levels close to those of controls. Glycaemia showed a comparable trend in both groups, ranging between 170 and 190 mg/dL up to postnatal 14 d, but thereafter decreased (P<0.05) to values of 120-130 mg/dL independently of treatment. Concentrations of TG varied greatly from day to day around a mean value of 300 mg/dL, whereas those of FFA remained at approximately the same steady-state levels from postnatal 6 to 16 d, averaging 0.8 mM without any significant differences between groups. In conclusion, these findings confirm that newborn rabbits can cope with the metabolic stress of starvation associated with DLS by lowering insulin and leptin concentrations while maintaining those of thyroid hormones, an overall endocrine response which, together with temporary increase of glucorticoids, successfully maintains an adequat

[EN] In order to study the metabolic adaptation in response to 48 h transient doe-litter separation (DLS) in young rabbits (5 rabbits/d group) between postnatal 9 and 11 d, plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones T3 and T4, insulin, leptin, glucose, triglycerides (TG), and free fatty acids (FFA) were examined before (6-8 d), during (9-11 d), and after separation (12-16 d). T3 concentrations in newborn control rabbits gradually increased from 0.6 ng/mL at postnatal 6 d to 1.0 ng/mL at postnatal 16 d, whereas those of T4 remained fairly constant (25 ng/mL) up to postnatal 14 d, when T4 gradually declined to 8 ng/mL. T3 values of DLS newborn rabbits did not differ from those of controls at postnatal 10 and 11 d, but were lower (P<0.05) at postnatal 12 d, while T4 concentrations in DLS animals increased, although not significantly, between postnatal 10 and 12 d compared to controls. Insulin concentrations in young control rabbits ranged between 0.6 and 1.0 mg/L in the early postnatal days, whereas those for leptin averaged 2-3 ng/mL. Insulin and leptin values in DLS newborn rabbits were lower (P<0.05) at postnatal 10 and 11 d, but thereafter rebounded to levels close to those of controls. Glycaemia showed a comparable trend in both groups, ranging between 170 and 190 mg/dL up to postnatal 14 d, but thereafter decreased (P<0.05) to values of 120-130 mg/dL independently of treatment. Concentrations of TG varied greatly from day to day around a mean value of 300 mg/dL, whereas those of FFA remained at approximately the same steady-state levels from postnatal 6 to 16 d, averaging 0.8 mM without any significant differences between groups. In conclusion, these findings confirm that newborn rabbits can cope with the metabolic stress of starvation associated with DLS by lowering insulin and leptin concentrations while maintaining those of thyroid hormones, an overall endocrine response which, together with temporary increase of glucorticoids, successfully maintains an adequat

[EN] In order to study the metabolic adaptation in response to 48 h transient doe-litter separation (DLS) in young rabbits (5 rabbits/d group) between postnatal 9 and 11 d, plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones T3 and T4, insulin, leptin, glucose, triglycerides (TG), and free fatty acids (FFA) were examined before (6-8 d), during (9-11 d), and after separation (12-16 d). T3 concentrations in newborn control rabbits gradually increased from 0.6 ng/mL at postnatal 6 d to 1.0 ng/mL at postnatal 16 d, whereas those of T4 remained fairly constant (25 ng/mL) up to postnatal 14 d, when T4 gradually declined to 8 ng/mL. T3 values of DLS newborn rabbits did not differ from those of controls at postnatal 10 and 11 d, but were lower (P<0.05) at postnatal 12 d, while T4 concentrations in DLS animals increased, although not significantly, between postnatal 10 and 12 d compared to controls. Insulin concentrations in young control rabbits ranged between 0.6 and 1.0 mg/L in the early postnatal days, whereas those for leptin averaged 2-3 ng/mL. Insulin and leptin values in DLS newborn rabbits were lower (P<0.05) at postnatal 10 and 11 d, but thereafter rebounded to levels close to those of controls. Glycaemia showed a comparable trend in both groups, ranging between 170 and 190 mg/dL up to postnatal 14 d, but thereafter decreased (P<0.05) to values of 120-130 mg/dL independently of treatment. Concentrations of TG varied greatly from day to day around a mean value of 300 mg/dL, whereas those of FFA remained at approximately the same steady-state levels from postnatal 6 to 16 d, averaging 0.8 mM without any significant differences between groups. In conclusion, these findings confirm that newborn rabbits can cope with the metabolic stress of starvation associated with DLS by lowering insulin and leptin concentrations while maintaining those of thyroid hormones, an overall endocrine response which, together with temporary increase of glucorticoids, successfully maintains an adequat

[EN] In order to study the metabolic adaptation in response to 48 h transient doe-litter separation (DLS) in young rabbits (5 rabbits/d group) between postnatal 9 and 11 d, plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones T3 and T4, insulin, leptin, glucose, triglycerides (TG), and free fatty acids (FFA) were examined before (6-8 d), during (9-11 d), and after separation (12-16 d). T3 concentrations in newborn control rabbits gradually increased from 0.6 ng/mL at postnatal 6 d to 1.0 ng/mL at postnatal 16 d, whereas those of T4 remained fairly constant (25 ng/mL) up to postnatal 14 d, when T4 gradually declined to 8 ng/mL. T3 values of DLS newborn rabbits did not differ from those of controls at postnatal 10 and 11 d, but were lower (P<0.05) at postnatal 12 d, while T4 concentrations in DLS animals increased, although not significantly, between postnatal 10 and 12 d compared to controls. Insulin concentrations in young control rabbits ranged between 0.6 and 1.0 mg/L in the early postnatal days, whereas those for leptin averaged 2-3 ng/mL. Insulin and leptin values in DLS newborn rabbits were lower (P<0.05) at postnatal 10 and 11 d, but thereafter rebounded to levels close to those of controls. Glycaemia showed a comparable trend in both groups, ranging between 170 and 190 mg/dL up to postnatal 14 d, but thereafter decreased (P<0.05) to values of 120-130 mg/dL independently of treatment. Concentrations of TG varied greatly from day to day around a mean value of 300 mg/dL, whereas those of FFA remained at approximately the same steady-state levels from postnatal 6 to 16 d, averaging 0.8 mM without any significant differences between groups. In conclusion, these findings confirm that newborn rabbits can cope with the metabolic stress of starvation associated with DLS by lowering insulin and leptin concentrations while maintaining those of thyroid hormones, an overall endocrine response which, together with temporary increase of glucorticoids, successfully maintains an adequat