Influence of Different Regimes of Moderate Maternal Feed Restriction during Pregnancy of Primiparous Rabbit Does on Long-Term Metabolic Energy Homeostasis, Productive Performance and Welfare
Carlota Fernández-Pacheco,
Pilar Millán,
María Rodríguez,
Nora Formoso-Rafferty,
Ana Sánchez-Rodríguez,
Pedro L. Lorenzo,
María Arias-Álvarez,
Rosa M. García-García,
Pilar G. Rebollar
Affiliations
Carlota Fernández-Pacheco
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Avenida Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Pilar Millán
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Avenida Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
María Rodríguez
Department of Agrarian Production, ETSIAAB, Technical University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Nora Formoso-Rafferty
Department of Agrarian Production, ETSIAAB, Technical University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Ana Sánchez-Rodríguez
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Avenida Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Pedro L. Lorenzo
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Avenida Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
María Arias-Álvarez
Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Avenida Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Rosa M. García-García
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Avenida Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Pilar G. Rebollar
Department of Agrarian Production, ETSIAAB, Technical University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
In this study, a maternal feed restriction (MFR; 105 g/d) in primiparous rabbit does was applied from day 0 to 7 post artificial insemination (AI) (R07, n = 96), from day 7 to 21 post AI (R721, n = 92), from day 0 to 21 post AI (R021, n = 94) or fed ad libitum during whole pregnancy (Control, n= 92). Feed intake (FI) was measured after MFR was over. On day 28 of gestation, fetoplacental development was evaluated (n = 11/group) and the productive parameters of the remaining dams were analyzed. Plasma free tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine, glucose, insulin, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and corticosterone were analyzed during gestation and lactation (n = 5/group). After MFR, all groups significantly increased their voluntary FI. The longer MFR was, the lower the weight and length of the fetuses, but no long-term effects over litter performance were observed. R021 groups had the lowest T3 and the highest NEFA concentrations during pregnancy and showed insulin resistance at the end of gestation, but during lactation, energy homeostasis was balanced in all groups. MFR did not affect corticosterone concentrations. In conclusion, the ration setting applied slightly involved the energy homeostasis and metabolism of the animals, but their overall metabolic condition, productive performance and welfare were not compromised.
