Sexual receptivity and performance traits of female rabbit's effectiveness by feed restriction regimen

This study was done to determine the effect of feeding regimen for female rabbits on the productive, reproductive and physiological responses. Fourty-five V-line nulliparous female rabbits, average age 6 months and weighing an average of 2925.33±55.21 g in this study experimental was lasted for 1 parity. The first group was received 100% of recommended diet daily and served as a control (C), the 2^nd (G1), was received 75% of recommended diet daily; the 3^rd was received 100% of recommended diet daily for 2 days and fasting for 1 day (skip-a-day system) (G2). Results showed that rabbits in group G2 exhibited the highest body weight (2965 g), followed by group C (2950 g), and group G1 had the lowest body weight (2865 g). Group C (control) had the highest total feed consumption (8060 g), while G1 and G2 had significantly reduced total feed consumption (6070 and 5450 g, respectively). Data revealed that fertility rate was highest in group G1 (96.67%), followed by G2 (90.00%) and C (73.33%). These results suggest that both moderate feed restriction and intermittent fasting improved fertility compared to the control group. Litter weight at weaning was significantly higher in control group (3120 g) compared to G1 (2840 g) and G2 (2909 g). Interestingly, G2 (intermittent fasting) showed a significant decrease in ALT levels (32.67) in compared with control group. While, AST values were relatively stable across all groups with no significant differences between C, G1 and G2 group. The urea level in control group (C) was 37.67 and relatively high compared to the other groups. The creatinine value in the control group was 1.27, which is typical for healthy, non-stressed rabbits. There is no indication of kidney dysfunction or impaired filtration. Feed restriction in female rabbits showed the most beneficial effects on reproductive traits and liver, kidney function.