M. Assane et al., EFFECT OF CALCIUM PHOSPHORUS RATIO ON PHO SPHOCALCIC BALANCE AND REPRODUCTION PERFORMANCE IN RABBIT IN SAHELIAN ENVIRONMENT, Revue de Medecine Veterinaire, 145(8-9), 1994, pp. 651-657
Sixteen ''Thies'' strain rabbits were used to study the effect of Calc
ium/Phosphorus ratio on volontary feed intake, phosphocalcic balance a
nd fecondity. Animals were allocated in two groups of eight: one recie
ving a diet with Ca/P ratio of 1 and the other a diet with Ca/P ratio
of 2. Results showed that in non pregnant rabbits the Ca/P ratio has n
o effect on feed intake, but at the end of pregnancy Ca/P ratio of 2 h
as negative effect on feed intake, while with Ca/P ratio of 1 feed con
sumption did not change during pregnancy. Positive balance of Ca and P
is showed for the two diets. But in non pregnant or pregnant rabbit,
increasing dietary calcium enhanced calcium retention. Moreover, the b
etter reproductive performance were obtained with Ca/P ratio of 2.