Some Productive, Reproductive and Physiological Effects of Using Different Dietary Protein Levels in Rabbit Does

Subject Areas : Camel

A. Yassein ¹ , D.M. Niveen ² , O.H. Ezzo ³

1 - Department of Animal Production, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
2 - Department of Animal Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
3 - Department of Animal Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt

Received: 2010-10-21 Accepted : 2010-11-27 Published : 2011-09-01

Keywords: Performance, digestibility, carcass, Reproduction, protein level, rabbit does,

Abstract :

Three groups of 11 New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit does, each were reared from 12 weeks of age on iso-energetic diets containing 16, 14 or 12% crude protein (CP) were used to study influences on productive performance, digestibility, some carcass traits, haematological, biochemical and hormonal parameters of rabbit does. The results showed rabbits fed on 16% protein diet had heavier body weights (BW) and body weight gains (WG) than the other groups. Daily feed intake (DFI) decreased and daily protein intake (DPI) increased by increasing dietary CP level whilst the feed conversion ratio (FCR) slightly improved as dietary CP increased. Dressing percentage increased slightly with increasing dietary protein level, while, rabbits fed 12% protein diet had a lower carcass weights compared to others. Moreover, the assessment results of mated does clarified significant increase in average daily or total FI and FCR, but significant decrease in kindling (%) in group fed 14% CP and in fertility and prolificacy% in 12 and 14% CP groups assessment of reproductive parameters, low protein levels had an adverse effect on litter size and kidney and liver weights of kids, while bunny weight decreased in the group fed 14% CP. However, plasma biochemical analysis showed a decrease in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels and activity of alanine-aminotransferase (ALT) and increase in creatinine in both two CP levels while no significant change in the concentration of total protein (TP), albumin (A), globulin (G), A/G ratio, calcium (Ca), phosphorous (Ph), iron (Ir) and aspartate-aminotransferase (AST) activity among three experimental groups was recorded. Furthermore, hormonal assay revealed a decrease in insulin.

References:

AOAC. (1980). Association of Official Analytical Chemists. 12^th Ed. Official Methods of Analysis, Washington, D.C.
Abdel-Malak N.Y. (2000). Effect of dietary protein levels on rabbit performance. Egypt. J. Rabbit Sci. 10, 195- 206.
Abou-Zeid A.E., Osman M. and Zanaty G.A. (1999). Effects of high level of lasalosid in diets with different protein levels on growing NZW rabbits. Egypt. J. Rabbit Sci. 9, 139-157.
Ahmed M.M., Zeweil H.S., BarbaryA.M. and Shawkat S.M. (1997). Influence of dietary protein levels and probiotics on growth performance, digestibility and carcass quality of growing rabbits. Egypt. J. Nutr. Feed. 1, 253-271.
Anthony R.V., Bellows R.A., Short R.E. and Staigmiller R.B. (1986). Fetal growth of beef calves. I. Effect of prepartum dietary crude protein on birth weight, blood metabolites and steroid hormone concentrations.J. Anim. Sci. 62, 1363-1374.
Armstrong D.G., McEvoy T.G., Baxter G., Robinson J.J., Hogg C.O., Woad K.J., Webb R. and Sinclair K.D. (2001). Effect of dietary energy and protein on bovine follicular dynamics and embryo production in vitro: Associations with the ovarian insulin life growth factor system. Biol. Reprod. 64, 1624-1632.
Ayyat M.S., Soliman M.M., El-Monem U.M.A. and El-Sheikh S.M. (2002). Performance of growing rabbits as affected by some environmental conditions. Egypt. J. Rabbit Sci. 12, 43-58.
Badawy S.A., Manal A.F. and Ahmed S.M. (2002). Interactions between somatotropin and different dietary protein levels that impact on nutrient digestibility, plasma metabolic hormones, reproductive status and maternal behavior of female rabbits.J. Egypt. Soc. Toxicol. 27, 83-91.
Barone A., Harper R.G. and Wapnir R.A. (1998). Placental copper transport in the rat. III: Intraction between copper and iron in maternal protein deficiency. Placenta. 19, 113-118.
Baxter R. (1993). Circulating binding proteins for the insulin like growth factors. Trends Endocrinol. Met. 4, 91-96.
Bistraw A.F., Gooding R.P. and Das R.E. (1990).The international reference for insulin like growth-factor-1. J. Endocrinol. 125, 191-197.
Brameld J.M., Mosten A., Dandrea J., Stephenson T.J., DawsonJ.M., Buttery P.J. and SymondsM.E.(2000). Maternal nutrition alters the expression of insulin like growth factor in fetal sheep liver and skeletal muscle. J. Endocrinol. 167, 429-437.
Cameron J.L. (1996). Regulation of reproductive hormone secretion in primates by short term changes in nutrition. Rev. Reprod. 1, 117-126.
Castro A.V., Gomez M.J. and Riera A.M. (1993). Liver changes in protein malnutrition: An experimental study in rats. Nutr. Hosp. 8, 358-363.
Chew B.P., MurDock F.R., Riely R.E. and Hillers J.H. (1984). Influence of prepartum dietary crude protein on growth hormone, insulin, reproduction and lactation of Dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 67, 265-270.
Chiericato G.M., Schiappelli M.P. and FilottoU.(1985). Effect of breed and diet on blood picture in rabbits. Coniglicoltura 22, 43-47. Nutr. Abst. Rev. series B. 56, 1885.
Davidson V.L. and Smittman D.B. (1994). Amino Acid Degradation. In: (Eds), Biochemistry, Pp. 457-470, Harwal Publishing, Philadelphia, London, Tokyo.
Dias J.C.C.A., Ferreira W.M., SantiagoG.S., Valente S.S. and Colares F.A.P. (2000). Decreasing levels of protein in diets supplemented with enzymatic complex for growing rabbits. 1-productive performance. Arquivo-Brasileieo-de-medicina-Veterinaria-e-Zootecnia. 52, 160-166.
DuncanD.B. (1955). Multiple range and multiple F test. Biometrics. 11, 1-42.
Edward L.J. and McMillen I.C. (2002). Impact of maternal under-nutrition during the periconception period, fetal number and fetal sex on the development of the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis in sheep during late gestation. Biol. Reprod. 66, 1562-1569.
El-Hady S.B.A. (2001). Effect of dietary protein level on the productive and reproductive performance of rabbits. Egypt. J. Rabbit Sci. 11, 167-177.
El-Hindawy M.M., Yamani K.A. and Tawfeek M.I. (1993). Effect of probiotic (Lacto-Sacc) in diets with different protein levels on growth performance, digestibility and some carcass aspects of growing rabbits. Egypt. J. Rabbit Sci.3, 13-28.
Etukudo M., Agbedana O., Akang E. and Osifo B. (1999). Biochemical changes and liver tissue pathology in weanling Wistar Albino Rat with protein-energy malnutrition. Afr. J. Med. Med. Sci. 28, 43-47.
Fathy I. E. (2000). Comparative study on some growth promoters.Ph.D (Physiology) Fac. Vet. Med. Cairo University.
Frenk S., Perez-Ortiz B., Murguia T., Fajardo J., Velasco R. and Sanabria T. (2000). Serum ionized calcium in Mexican protein energy malnourished children. Arch. Med. Res. 31, 497-499.
Fu-Chang L.I., Jiang W.X. and Wang J.F. (2002). Effects of crude protein level on production performance of Rex Rabbit. Chinese J. Rabbit Farming.3, 24.
Gad-Alla S.A.G., Abou-Khashaba H.A., Shehata A.S. and Arafa M.M. (2002). Effect of protein and energy levels on productive and reproductive in mature bauscat rabbits. Egypt. J. Rabbit Sci.12, 187-202.
Gangadevi P. and Kunjikutty N. (1984). Studies on the influence of dietary protein levels on the nitrogen balance and hematological values in cross- bred kids. Indian J. Nutr. dietetics. 21, 205-212.
Grup-puso P.A., Migliori R., Susa J.B. and Schwartz R. (1981). Chronic maternal hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycemia. A model for experimental intrauterine growth retardation. Biol. Neonate.40, 113-120.
Hemid A.A. and Tharwat E.E. (1995). Effects of dietary protein level on semen characteristics and fertility of NZW rabbits bucks. Egypt. J. Rabbit Sci. 5, 117-123.
Ibrahim A.A. (1985). Studies on some factors affecting reproductive performance milk production and pre weaning growth in rabbits. M. Sc.Thesis. Cairo Univ.Egypt.
Joshi S., Garole V., Daware M., Girigosavi S. and Rao S. (2003). Maternal protein restriction before pregnancy affects vital organs of offspring in Wistar rats. Metabolism. 52, 13-18.
Khardori R., Bajaj J.S., Deo M.G. and Bansal D.D. (1980). Insulin secretion and carbohydrate metabolism in experimental protein malnutrition. J. Endocrinol. Invest. 3, 273-278.
Levy L. and Jackson A.A. (1993). Modest restriction of dietary protein during pregnancy in the fetal and placental growth. J. Dev. Physiol. 19, 113-118.
Lucy M.C., Bilby C.R., Kirby C.J., Yuan W. and Boyd C.K. (1999). Role of growth hormone in development and maintenance of follicles and corpora lutea. J. Reprod. Fertil Suppl. 54, 49-59.
Maertens L., Luzi F., Groote G. De. and DE Groote G. (1997). Effect of protein and amino acids on the performance, carcass composition and N-excretion of growing rabbits. Annales de Zootechnie. 46, 255-268.
Manning P.J., Ringler D.H. and Newcomer C.E. (1994). The Biology of the Laboratory Rabbit. 2^nd Ed. Academic Press, New York.
McCusker R.H. and Clemmons D.R. (1992). The insulin–like growth factor binding proteins: structure and biological functions. In: Schofield PN, Ed. The insulin like growth factors: structure and biological functions. New York: OxfordUniv.Press; Pp.110-150.
McKelvey W.A. and Robinson J.J. (1988). The use of reciprocal embryo transfer to separate the effects of pre and post-mating nutrition on embryo survival and growth of the ovine concepts. In Proc. of The 11^th Inter. Cong. on Anim. Rep. and A. I., 2: paper No. 176. Univ. Collage, Dublin.
Mello M.D. and Cury L. (1989). Influence of protein-caloric malnutrition on reproductive performance of young and mature rats. Growth Dev. Aging. 53, 141-144.
MeNeilly A.S. and Friesen H.G. (1978). Prolactin during pregnancy and lactation in rabbits. J. Endocrinol. 120, 1548-1554.
Monget P. and Martin G.B. (1997). Involvement of insulin like growth factors in the interactions between nutrition and reproduction in female mammals.Hum. Reprod. 12, 33-52.
NRC. (1977). National Research Council, Nutrient Requirements of Rabbits. National Academic of Science, Washington, DC., USA.
NelsonR.A., Bech T.D. and Steiger D.L. (1984), Ratio of serum urea to serum creatinine in wild black bears. Science. 26, 211-221.
Obatolu A.V., Ketiku A. and Adebowale A.E. (2003). Effect of feeding maize/legume mixtures on biochemical indices in rats. Annal. Nutr. Met. 47, 170-175.
Olbrich S.E., Martez F.A., Tumblesson E.M., Johnson H.D. and Hilderbrand E.S. (1972). Effects of constant environmental temperature of 10 ^°Cand 37 ^°Con serum biochemical and hematological measurements of heat-tolerant and cold-tolerant cattle. Compend. Biochem. Physiol. 4, 255-266.
Omole T.A. (1977). Influence of levels of dietary protein supplementary copper on the performance of growing rabbits. Br. Vet. J. 133, 593-599.
Omole T.A. (1982). The effect of dietary protein on growth and reproductive performance in rabbits. J. Appl. Rabbit Res. 5, 83-88.
Oprzade k.J., Dymnick E. and Oprzade k.A. (2000). Biochemical indicators in the blood plasma of young Friesian bulls. Medycyna Weterynaryjna. 56, 316-319.
Orwoll E., Ware M., Stribrska L., Bikle D., Sanchez T., Andon M.  and Li H. (1992). Effects of dietary protein deficiency on mineral metabolism and bone mineral density. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 56, 314-319.
Parigi Bini R., Xiccato G. and Cinetto M. (1988). Integrazione con metionina e lisintesi di un mangime per conigli in accrescimento. Riv. Coniglicottura. 25, 33-38.
Radwan M.S.M. (2002). Effects of replacing soybean meal by nigella seed meal for growing rabbits on digestibility coefficients, growth performance, carcass traits and economic efficiency under hot climatic conditions. Egypt. J. Rabbit Sci.12, 13-25.
Raharjo Y.O., Cheek P.R. and PattonN.M.(1986). Growth and reproductive performance of rabbits on a moderately low crude protein diet with or without methionine or urea supplementation. J. Anim. Sci. 63, 795-803.
Rashwan A.A. (1990). Effect of crude protein levels in diet and remating intervals on performance of New Zealand White and California rabbit does. Ph.D. Thesis. Hungury.
Robinson J.J. (1996). Nutrition and Reproduction. Anim. Reprod. 423, 25-34.
Rohilla P.P., Pal D.T. and Choudhory H. (2002). Growth performance of broiler rabbits under different levels of protein. Indian J. Anim. Sci. 72, 516-517.
Rommers J.M., Meijerhof R., Noordhuizen J.P. and Kemp B. (2004). The Effect of level of feeding in early gestation on reproductive success in young rabbit does. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 81, 151-158.
Sankhyan S., Tiwari S.P. and Narang M.P. (1990). Effect of different levels of protein and energy on the growth performance of rabbits. J. Appl. Rabbit Res. 13, 66-68.
Sharsgard E.D., Amii L.A., Dimmitt R.A., Sakamoto G., Brindle M.E. and Moss R.L. (2001). Fetal therapy with IGF-1 ina rabbit model of intrauterine growth retardation. J. Surg. Res. 99, 142-146.
Smith G., 0Weidel S.E. and Fleck A. (1994). Albumin catabolic rate and protein-energy depletion.Nutrition. 10, 335-341.
Snedecor G.W. and Cochran W.G. (1982). Statistical Methods. Oxford Publishing Co. New Delhi. 7^th Ed.IowaStateUniversity, Press Ames, USA.
Snoeck A., Remacle C., Reusens B. and Hoet J.J. (1990). Effect of a low protein diet during pregnancy on the fetal rat endocrine pancreas. Biol. Neonate. 57, 107-118.
Sonbol S.M., Abdel-Baki S.M., El-Gendy K.M. and Marai A.M. (1992). Effects of dietary protein level and sources on nutrient utilization and growth performance in NZW rabbits. Egypt. J. Rabbit Sci. 2, 145-160.
SpainR., Ongagna J., Gasser F. and Grucker D.(1998). Insulin neasurements in haemolysed serum, influence of insulinase inhibitors. Clin. Chem. Acta. 274, 111-117.
Tirapegui J., Marisa B. and Bandra L. (1996). Effect of protein deficiency on plasma insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) level and proteoglycan synthesis rates in skeletal muscle and bone.Nutri. Res. 16, 869-879.
Usami M., Seino Y., Takemura J., Nakahara H., Ikeda M. and Imura A. (1982). Effects of high protein diet on insulin and glucagon secretion in normal rats. J. Nutr. 112, 681-685.
Valtonen M.H., Uusi-Rauva A. and Eriksson L. (1982). The effect of protein deprivation on the validity of creatinine and urea in evaluation of renal function. An experimental study in the goat. Sc. J. Clin. Lab. Invest.42, 507-512.
Weidel S., Smith G. and Fleck A. (1994). The effects of experimental malnutrition on albumin and distribution in rabbits. Br. J. Nutr. 72, 369-384.
Wolkers J., Wensing T., Groot G.W and Schonewille J.T. (1994). The effect of under nutrition on hematological and serum biochemical variables in wild boar (Sus scrofa). Compend. Biochem. Physiol. Compend. 108, 431-437.
Yamani K.A., Soad S.A., Tawfeek M.I. and Radwan H.M. (1991). Growth performance and reproductive efficiency of doe rabbits as affected by dietary protein level and parity. J. Agric. Sci. Mansoura Univ. 16, 1715-1725.
Zaleska F.K. and Priebe T.S. (1991). Diurnal changes in liver of mice ed high and low protein diet. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 98, 575-579.
Zanaty G.A.A., Abou-Zeid A.E and Amber K.H. (1999). Effect of lasalocid addition in diet on growth performance, digestibility, carcass traits and blood constituents in growing rabbits. 2^nd International Conference on Rabbit production in Hot Climates. Cahiers-Options-Mediterraneennes. 41, 75-80.
Zanaty G.A.A. and Ahmed B.M. (2000). Effect of different die tary protein sources and levels on growth performance, nutrient digestibilities of growing New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. Egypt. J. Rabbit Sci. 10, 265-280.