Weaning induces changes in behavior and stress indicators in young New Zealand rabbits

Faculty Veterinary Medicine Year: 2018
Type of Publication: ZU Hosted Pages:
Authors:
Journal: Journal of Advanced Veterinary and Animal Research Publisher: Network for the Veterinarians of Bangladesh Volume:
Keywords : Weaning induces changes , behavior , stress indicators    
Abstract:
Objective: The present study was carried out to investigate the influence of weaning on the abnormal behavior, behavioral problems and some stress indicators in young rabbits. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on seventy two New Zealand rabbit kits which were divided into two groups, one reared with their dams (unweaned rabbits) and the other group reared without their dams (weaned rabbits). Rabbits are reared on traditional wire net batteries. A scan sample technique was used during the observation period of the recorded traits. Rabbits behavior was observed three times per day at (from 8.00 to 9.00 h), (from 12.00 to 13.00 h) and (from 15.00 : 16.00 h) for three days weekly to each group during the experimental period (6 weeks). The observed activities were recorded at 10 min interval for rabbits in each subgroup (6 subgroups for each group). Two blood samplings were taken after weaning process for monitoring some stress indicators. Results: The results showed that the bare biting and lixite bite were significantly affected by weaning which were increased in the weaned group than the unweaned group. Other abnormal behavioral traits and behavioral problems were not influenced by weaning process. The results found that cortisol, growth hormone levels, superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activities were significantly increased in serum after weaning. Conclusion: The weaning process has negative effect on some behavioral and physiological responses. So, rearing the young rabbits with their mothers is advantageous from the viewpoint of animal welfare. The findings of this study may help to find out suitable strategies to minimize post weaning stress in both human beings and domestic animals.
   
     
 
       

Author Related Publications

  • Hayam Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Awadallah, "vitamin D and male reproduction", zagazig veterinary journal, 2014 More
  • Hayam Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Awadallah, "Interactive effects of dietary quercetin nanoparticles on growth, flesh antioxidant capacity and transcription of cytokines and Aeromonas hydrophila quorum sensing orchestrating genes in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)", ELSEVIER, 2021 More
  • Hayam Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Awadallah, "The physiological role of Vitamin D in the female fertility in rats", International Science Community Association, 2019 More
  • Hayam Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Awadallah, "Comparing the effect of diet supplementation with different zinc sources and levels on growth performance, immune response and antioxidant activity of tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus", wileyonlinelibrary, 2020 More
  • Hayam Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Awadallah, "Potential Effects of Anthocyanin-Rich Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Extract on the Growth, Intestinal Histomorphology, Blood Biochemical Parameters, and the Immune Status of Broiler Chickens", MDPI, 2022 More

Department Related Publications

  • Hayam Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Awadallah, "vitamin D and male reproduction", zagazig veterinary journal, 2014 More
  • Amira Mostafa Alsaid, "Irisin/FNDC5: A participant in camel metabolism", Elsevier B.V, 2020 More
  • Amira Mostafa Alsaid, "Effect of Light-Dark Cycle Misalignment on the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis, Testicular Oxidative Stress, and Expression of Clock Genes in Adult Male Rats", Hindawi, 2020 More
  • Amira Mostafa Alsaid, "Chronic exposure to continuous brightness or darkness modulates immune responses and ameliorates the antioxidant enzyme system in male rats", Frontiers, 2021 More
  • Amira Mostafa Alsaid, "Growth performance, tissue precipitation, metallothionein and cytokines transcript expression and economics in response to different dietary zinc sources in growing rabbits", Wiley, 2021 More
Tweet