Influence of the nutritional deficit of foetal survival and growth and plasma metabolites in rabbit does.
Two experiments were conducted in order to determine the influence of nutritional deficit on foetal survival and growth in rabbits does. All females were mated within 12 h of parturition and all the young were removed at that time. In experiment 1, females were fed close to ad libitum (C1, n = 20), or restricted to 100% (M1, n = 20) or 75% (R1, n = 19) of the maintenance energy requirement. On d 28 of gestation, foetal mortality was similar in the 3 groups, whereas foetal weight and protein content of the litters were reduced in feed-restricted groups (P < 0.001). In experiment 2, females were fed ad libitum (C2, n = 12) or were restricted to the same level as in R1 (R2, n = 13). Blood samples were collected on d 17 and 28 of gestation before and after (1 and 3 h) a standardized meal. Pre- and postprandial concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids and urea were lower in the R2 than in the C2 females (P < 0.01). Preprandial concentrations of glucose were similar in both groups at d 17, and higher in the R2 groups than in the C2 group at d 28. The postprandial concentration of glucose was higher 1 h after the meal and lower 3 h after the meal in the R2 group (P < 0.01). Progesterone was significantly higher in the R2 females at d 17 (P < 0.001). These results suggest that nutrient deficit may be responsible for reduced foetal growth in concurrently pregnant and lactating does.
Fortun
L
L
INRA, Station de Recherches Cunicoles, Castanet-Tolosan, France.
Prunier
A
A
Etienne
M
M
Lebas
F
F
D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D005502:Food; D005508:Food Deprivation; D005865:Gestational Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood*; D011817:Rabbits; D014508:Urea / Q000097:blood*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D011374:Progesterone; D014508:Urea