title: Short-term methionine supplementation during the early post-partum period in primiparous rabbits improves prolificacy associated with an increase in serum concentrations of IGF-I.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of methionine supplementation on energy metabolism and reproductive performance during the early post-partum period in primiparous does. Forty nulliparous New Zealand White does were used. Females were randomized in two groups at calving: the control group (n = 20) was fed with the basal diet, and the methionine group (n = 20) was fed the basal diet plus 1 g/animal/day of methionine from the day of calving to 4 days post-partum. Results showed that methionine supplementation increased (p = 0.032) the concentration of insulin-like growth factor-1 with respect to control group 4 days post-partum. It similarly increased the prolificacy (p = 0.03), the number of kits born alive per litter (p = 0.06) and the body gain weight of the litter during supplementation (p = 0.035). These results were observed despite the does in the methionine group having a deeper negative energy balance than the does in the control group. Finally, methionine supplementation did not affect receptivity (p = 0.23), fertility (p = 0.49), the number of kits born dead per litter (p = 0.86) insulin and metabolites as glucose, non-esterified fatty acids and triglycerides. In conclusion, our results show that methionine supplementation during the first 4 days of the post-partum period in rabbits increases total litter size and the corporal weight of kits and is associated with an increase in blood concentration of IGF-1.
authors.affiliation: Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, Ciudad de México, México.
authors.forename: Z B
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Lopéz-Cedillo
authors.affiliation: Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, Ciudad de México, México.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Rosales-Torres
authors.affiliation: Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, Ciudad de México, México.
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Mendoza
authors.affiliation: Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, Ciudad de México, México.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Heuze
authors.affiliation: Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, Ciudad de México, México.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Ávila-Espítia
authors.affiliation: Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, Ciudad de México, México.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guzmán
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008715:Methionine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011817:Rabbits / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D008715:Methionine
keywords: insulin-like growth factor-1; methionine; negative energy balance; post-partum does; reproductive performance