EFFECT OF CALCIUM PHOSPHORUS RATIO ON PHO SPHOCALCIC BALANCE AND REPRODUCTION PERFORMANCE IN RABBIT IN SAHELIAN ENVIRONMENT

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.