Productive performance, metabolic, and hematologic parameters of pregnant nulliparous rabbit does according to dietary protein level

Objective: This study aims at investigating the productive performance, metabolic, and hematological
profiles of Algerian local rabbits does during their first pregnancy and according to dietary
protein content.
Materials and methods: A total of 52 nulliparous rabbit does, 3,116 ± 72.9 g live weight, were
allocated individually to three groups (17/18 females per group) being on isoenergetic diets
[2,600 kcal Digestible Energy (DE)/kg] that differ in their digestible protein content by 15%, 17%,
and 19%, respectively, for L, M, and H diets. All these diets were provided ad libitum.
Results: The use of a high protein diet did not affect does weight and feed intake during the pregnancy
period. Statistically, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was recorded in born or alive litter
size and birth weight. There was no effect of diet and sampling time (p > 0.05) on plasma metabolites
but there were significant effects of sampling time (p < 0.0001) on the metabolic parameters
studied with prolificacy used as a covariate. Hematologic indices in pregnant rabbits were not
affected by the diet exceeded the red blood cells rate that increased significantly (p < 0.05) with
the increase in dietary protein content during the different periods of gestation.
Conclusion: The use of a high protein diet has no effect on weight during the pregnancy period. No
effect of diet and sampling time on plasma metabolites and hematological profiles are recorded;
however, significant effects of sampling time are recorded on the metabolic parameters.