EFFECTS OF PRE-MATING ENERGY-INTAKE ON REPRODUCTIVE-PERFORMANCE OF RABBIT DOES

The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of stimulation of p re-mating energy intake on reproductive performance at the subsequent mating or parturition of rabbit does during four successive cycles. In the C (control, no. = 59) and R (restricted, no. = 67) groups, female s had free access to the M diet (9.92 MJ/kg dry matter (DM)), except f rom 18 to 31 days of gestation when R females were given 150 g/day. In the E group thigh energy diet, no. = 64), females were given ad libit um the H diet (12.19 MJ/kg DM) from 1 to 14 days of lactation, with th e M diet for the rest of the time. Females were presented to the male 10 to 11 days after parturition during four cycles. For primiparous do es, the experimental design had no effect on pre-mating energy intake, acceptance or conception rate and litter size or weight. However, for multiparous does, pre-mating energy intake was higher for the E and t he R group females than for the C group females (+0.08 and +0.04; P < 0.01). Acceptance rate of the male (47.1% v. 69.0%) and weight of the young rabbits at birth (-0.09) were lower in the X group than in the o ther groups (P < 0.001). The mortality of sucking rabbits was lower (6 .5% v. 14.7%) and conception rate for the fourth litter was higher (97 .1% v. 78.4%) in the E group than in the other groups (P < 0.05). Thes e results suggested that increased pre-mating energy intake could have a positive effect on conception rate. However, inadequate pre-partum energy intake (food restriction) has a detrimental effect on receptivi ty and litter weight.