Fitting energy source to genetic type: Long term implications on immunologic status.

What is it about?

The specific aims of this work were to (1) characterize and describe blood leucocyte populations and their evolution during the above-mentioned reproductive period of three lines of rabbit does differing greatly in animal type (selected for prolificacy, growth rate or robustness); and (2) study the possible influence of two different experimental diets, promoting major differences in the energy source (fat or starch), on the leucocyte populations in peripheral blood.

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Why is it important?

Although genetic, management and nutritional strategies developed over the last few decades have brought valuable advances in the rabbit industry, it seems that they have also caused undesired consequences affecting, among other factors, the ability of the animals to maintain a stable and competent immunological status throughout their productive life. This work shows that foundation for reproductive longevity criteria allows animals to be more capable of adapting to the challenges of the reproductive cycle from an immunological viewpoint.

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