Rabbit

Dental disease is considered as one of the, if not, the most common disorders seen in pet rabbits. This article provides a review of the scientific literature and an overview of the peculiarities of calcium homeostasis in the rabbit in an attempt to draw together current thinking on the cause of dental disease. A complete understanding of the aetiology and pathophysiology of rabbit dental disease is necessary for the veterinary practitioner to establish a proper therapeutic plan, prognosis and ultimately prevention of this common cause of morbidity and mortality in pet rabbits.

ABSTRACT
Rabbit rearing in hutch system is not all that common in our society compared with poultry. There is limited study information on rabbit rearing in a hutch system. In this project work, investigations was made on construction of a detachable rabbit hutch system to accommodate six rabbits, using basic construction principle with required space. The hutch was constructed at the department of Agricultural and bio-environmental engineering technology, Auchi polytechnic Auchi, using welded wire mesh for the cage, binding wire for holding the pieces of wire mesh together and wood for the stand, cross pieces and ply wood board for the covering of the side and back, zinc for the roofing, gauze wire mesh for covering of the front, nail for holding the materials together, the galvanize sheet for the collection of the droppings, bolt and nut for the joining of the structure together for detachability and easy transportation. Plastic containing used engine oil was used for the four legs to prevent rodent and termite attack. All this materials are cut to the require dimension and assembled. The total cost of the project was 80,640 and this can be affordable by farmers in both urban and rural areas.

AHP 36 Qi Huimin and Burgel RM Levy. 2015.  Bilingualism in Song: The Rabbit Song of the Fulaan Nara Huzhu Mongghul IN Gerald Roche and CK Stuart (eds) Asian Highlands Perspectives 36: Mapping the Monguor, 106-113, 301-332.


ABSTRACT
Musical notation, and musical and linguistic characteristics of a Chinese-Huzhu Mongghul bilingual song in the Fulaan Nara dialect of Huzhu Mongghul are given.

KEYWORDS
bilingualism, folk song, Fulaan Nara, Haidong Municipality, Huzhu Mongghul, Monguor, Qinghai, Tu

Rabbit rearing in hutch system is not all that common in our society compared with poultry. There is limited study information on rabbit rearing in a hutch system. In this project work, investigations was made on construction of a detachable rabbit hutch system to accommodate six rabbits, using basic construction principle with required space. The hutch was constructed at the department of Agricultural and bio-environmental engineering technology, Auchi polytechnic Auchi, using welded wire mesh for the cage, binding wire for holding the pieces of wire mesh together and wood for the stand, cross pieces and ply wood board for the covering of the side and back, zinc for the roofing, gauze wire mesh for covering of the front, nail for holding the materials together, the galvanize sheet for the collection of the droppings, bolt and nut for the joining of the structure together for detachability and easy transportation. Plastic containing used engine oil was used for the four legs to prevent rodent and termite attack. All this materials are cut to the require dimension and assembled. The total cost of the project was 80,640 and this can be affordable by farmers in both urban and rural areas.

The study ascertains housing and feed management practices among rabbit keepers in Enugu State of Nigeria. Snowball sampling technique was used to get at 67 respondents for the study. Structured interview schedule/questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Outdoor cages were used by 85.1% of the respondents to house rabbits and about 40% considered temperature as the most important factor, when sitting rabbit hutches. Most (92.5%) of the respondents used zinc roofing for rabbit hutches while 89.6% used wood in hutch floor construction and 94% used wood in constructing the hutch walls. Greater proportion (66.6%) of the respondents used wood as bedding material. All (100%) the respondents cleaned their hutches. About 60% cleaned at least once a week. Majority (79.1%) fed rabbits with locally available forages, while 20.9% fed with a combination of local forages and commercial feeds. Potatoe leaf (Solanum tuberosum) was the most (59.7%) used forage, followed by sow thistle (Sonchus) and goose grass (Galium aparine) (53.7%) each among others. Majority (98.5%) of the respondents did not dry forages before feeding rabbits. About a third (32.8%) agreed that there are forages that are harmful to rabbits. The most observed harmful forages, were fresh cassava leaf (Manihot utilissima) (66.7%), spear grass (Heteropogon contortus) (23.8%) and basil leaf (Occimomum Basilicum) (9.5%). Respondents perceived scarcity of forages during dry season (M= 2.92) as the most serious constraint to rabbit feeding, followed by poor quality of available feed (M= 2.22). The most essential reason for low rabbit production is low demand for rabbits (37.3%). There is need for training programmes to be organized by extension agents with the support of governmental or non-governmental organizations, aimed at sensitization of the farmers on the benefits of rabbit production and the importance of rabbit meat.

1    Historically, humans have translocated some species of Leporidae (order Lagomorpha) around the world as an introduced food source and as game species. This family is now cosmopolitan and occupies areas where it did not previously exist. With the exception of European rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus, evidence of the effects of these introduced species is scattered and in many cases anecdotal, though they share many biological traits with Oryctolagus cuniculus, one of the most harmful invasive species worldwide.
2    We review available studies on the 12 leporid species that have been introduced by humans to areas beyond their native ranges. Our aim is to describe and compare the species’ ecological roles in their native geographic ranges and in their exotic ranges. We review the species’ effects on the ecosystem at different levels of the trophic chain. We also evaluate the consequences of introductions for animal and human health, and their economic consequences, and we consider control measures.
3    In their native ranges, the 12 leporids are known to provide resources for other species, act as seed dispersers and ecosystem engineers, function as primary prey items for several predator species, and have many other functions. The effects of the leporids in their exotic geographic ranges are also conspicuous, and in many cases strongly negative, due to competition with native fauna and the facilitation of the presence of other invaders. Nonetheless, they constitute a food resource for native and exotic predators. As game species for humans, their hunting may indirectly impact the ecosystems by increasing the amount of lead in the environment. Moreover, they may be carriers of zoonotic diseases.
4    Conservation biologists should carefully consider the contrasting effects of the introduced leporids species in the ecosystem before developing any management strategy including these species.

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of ginger and/or thyme aqueous extracts administration on the growth rate, caecum activity, reproductive performance and semen quality of rabbits. A total of 24 V‐line male rabbits at the age of 12 weeks were divided randomly into four equal groups (6/each) until 24 weeks of age. Treatments were as follows: drinking fresh water and served as control (G1); drinking water supplemented with 100 mg/kg b. wt. of ginger aqueous extract (G2); drinking water supplemented with 50 mg/kg b. wt. of thyme aqueous extract (G3); drinking water supplemented with 100 mg/kg b. wt. of ginger aqueous extract plus 50 mg/kg b. wt. of thyme aqueous extract (G4). Administration of aqueous thyme extract with 50 mg/kg b. wt. improved (p < 0.001) feed intake and growth performance compared to control. The highest average daily gain (p < 0.001) was found for G3 rabbits followed by G4, G2 and G1 respectively. While the most efficient feed conversion ratio was found in G4. Group 3 and group 4 had significant (p < 0.05) positive effect on caecum pH, ammonia and TVFAs concentration. Data indicated that treated groups had hastened the age with heavier body weight, larger testicular size and higher testosterone level. Also, most semen characteristics (volume, progressive motility, sperm concentration and normal spermatozoa) were higher in treated groups compared with the control group. Furthermore, gathering of the spermatozoa in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules, expanded epithelial cells stature of the epididymis with stuffed lumens with sperms in treated groups. In conclusion, aqueous extracts of ginger and/or thyme can be used as a growth promoter for improving reproductive performance of V‐line male rabbits.

BACKGROUND In recent years, there is an increasing tendency to use diced cartilage grafts in rhinoplasty surgery for improving dorsum contour irregularities. This study was designed to compare graft resorption between three techniques of diced cartilage using surgical blade, electrical grinder and grater in rabbit model. METHODS Thirteen New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups. Three 2×2 cm cartilage specimens were harvested from one of their ears. In group one, the cartilage was diced by use of No:11 surgical blade to o.5 to 1 mm cube pieces. In group two, an electrical grinder was used and in group three, a grater was applied. The grafts were placed in three subcutaneous pockets in the back of rabbits and after 12 weeks, the implants were removed and their weight and volume were recorded and were evaluated by histological techniques. RESULTS There was no difference between the three methods in the 3 groups for graft resorption. There was no change in the volume, but the weight showed a decrease in the control group. CONCLUSIONS As the histological results had no statistically difference between groups, we may recommend use of these two techniques in reconstructive and in aesthetic cases.

This study was carried out in Elazig and its surrounding areas between 1996-1997. Among the ticks collected between March-August, those with Rhipicephalus bursa
were detected and examined for their developments in vitro condition. Themaintenance and all development stages seen during the evolution period of R. bursa were followed in an oven set to 26 oC with a humidite rate of 85-90 %. In this environment, it has been determined the preoviposition periods of R. bursa as 3-10 days, oviposition period as 6-13 days, egg hatching time (incubation period) as 20-23 days, coming up time of the hatched egg as 7 days, larva’s survival period as 210 days, skin change period of the saturated nymph as 6-8 and the survival periodsof the starved imago following the shin change as 90-120 days. The nourishment phases of the tick lasted on a lamb and rabbit in June. The larva inserted into the rabbit ear were observed to start blood sucking within 2-3 days, complete larva and nymph phases between 17-25 days ticks and leave the host after ward. The starved imagos, allowed nourishment in the lamb’sear, were found to become saturated and leave the host within 8-10 days.

The survey of Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) seroprevalence in rabbits was the objective of this study. Meat rabbits in Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Suphan Buri and Phetchaburi provinces were a study population. Blood samples (n=88) were collected during slaughtering process to evaluate the E. cuniculi antibody. Seroprevalence of E. cuniculi was 47.7% in this study population which was 33.3, 39.5, 80.0 and 81.8% in Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi and Suphan Buri provinces, respectively. Seroprevalence in Suphan Buri and Phetchaburi provinces were higher than Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi provinces (P<0.05). The preliminary results can use to calculate sample size and perform the control and prevention program in further research studies.

RESUMO: De acordo com a literatura, tumores testiculares são considerados incomuns em coelhos e encontrados apenas em animais adultos. Porém, deve-se considerar o crescimento populacional desta espécie como animal de estimação gerando, por consequência, um aumento da expectativa de vida destes. Nesta espécie, o tumor de células intersticiais é o mais comumente descrito. Entretanto, o seminoma é um tumor testicular pouco reportado, tendo o seu primeiro caso descrito há menos de cem anos. O objetivo deste trabalho é relatar o caso de um coelho macho, não castrado, da raça Nova Zelândia, com seis anos de idade e 2,6 kg, atendido no Centro Veterinário Queté, diagnosticado com seminoma difuso e tratado cirurgicamente através de orquiectomia bilateral. Unitermos: Coelho; Orquiectomia; Seminoma. RESUMEN: De acuerdo com la literatura, los tumores testiculares son considerados raros en conejos y encontrados solo en animales adultos. Sin embargo, se debe considerar el aumento de la población de la especie como un animal doméstico y tambien el aumento de la esperanza de vida de estos animales. En esta especie, el tumor de células intersticiales es lo más comúnmente descripto. Sin embargo, el seminoma testicular es un tumor raramente encontrado, y su primer informe tiene menos de cien años. El objetivo de este estudio es informar el caso de un conejo macho, castrado de raza Nueva Zelanda, de seis años de edad y 2,6 kg, asistido por el Centro Veterinario Queté, con diagnóstico de seminoma difuso y tratado quirúrgicamente por medio de la orquiectomia bilateral. ABSTRACT: According to the literature, testicular tumors are considered uncommon in rabbits and found only in adult animals. However, it should be considered the growing population of this species as a pet and, consequently, the increase of life expectancy of these animals. In this species, the interstitial cell tumor is the most commonly described. However, seminoma is a testicular tumor rarely reported. Its first case was described less than a hundred years ago. The aim of this report is to present a case of a six-year-old spayed male rabbit, from the New Zealand breed, with 2.6 kg, attended at Queté Veterinary Center, diagnosed with diffuse seminoma and surgically treated by bilateral orchiectomy.

Background and Aim: Garcinia kola seed (GKS) is used to prevent and cure a number of gastric-related ailments. GKS contain a copious amount of polyphenols and can be utilized as a natural growth promoter in the nutrition of weaned rabbits. This study aimed to determine the dietary effects of GKS meal (GKSM) on the growth performance, hematology and serum biochemical parameters of weaned rabbits. Materials and Methods: GKS were dried and ground into powder. Thirty-two 8-week-old crossbred rabbits with an average weight of 614 g were randomly divided into four dietary groups. The diets were designated as follows: Control (corn-soybean based diet with 0% GKSM) and the GKSM-supplemented diets with 1.5% GKSM, 3% GKSM, and 4.5% GKSM. On the 56th day of the feeding trial, blood was collected from the marginal ear vein of all rabbits and transferred into two separate labeled tubes. The first set of blood was used to determine the hematological indices. The second set of blood was transferre...

Defensive airway reflexes represent an important participation in removal of irritants and noxious agents from the relevant parts of the airways. However, the central mechanisms being responsible for their generation are still not fully understood. In this study, electrical activity of the diaphragm was analyzed with regard to central inspiratory pattern generation in six adult anaesthetized rabbits.
Electromyographic features were compared in case of quiet and sneeze inspiration. Diaphragm investigation employed methods of wavelet transform enabling multiresolution signal analysis and a parameter approximate entropy characterizing signal complexity. Many differences in time – frequency energy distribution, especially for lower frequency bands, may suggest an involvement of specific neuronal structures (mechanisms) in sneezing responsible for its generation and/or shaping. Moreover, reduced complexity of the sneeze inspiratory activity could reflect an increased synchrony in function of appropriate neuronal groups compared to quiet breathing.

Keywords. Inspiratory pattern generation, EMG, rabbit,
wavelet transformation, approximate entropy.

Background: The objectives of this study were to separate and culture mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from adipose tissue, examine the expression of surface markers on these cells, and determine their ability to differentiate into osteoblasts in normal medium. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to separate and culture mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from adipose tissue, examine the expression of surface markers on these cells, and determine their ability to differentiate into osteoblasts in normal medium. Materials and Methods: Sterile adipose tissue was obtained from the scapular subcutaneous adipose tissue of two rabbits (average weight, 2.8 kg) for cultivation and differentiation by either liposuction with a blunt hallow tip cannula or by direct surgery. The morphology, differentiation, and expression of mesenchymal-specific surface markers of rabbit, such as CD90, CD45, CD73, CD44, and CD105, were examined in cells from the third passage by flow cytometry. The MSCs from adipose tissue were stained with a lentivirus genome for cell
tracking. The differentiation of MSCs into osteoblasts was investigated using a specific histological stain, Alizarin red. Results: The identity of adipose tissue cells was confirmed by oil-red O staining and examination under an optical microscope at both the initial stage and after differentiation into mesenchymal cells. The results demonstrated that cells derived from adipose tissue differentiated into mesenchymal cells. The nature of the mesenchymal cells was confirmed by the expression of specific surface markers, including CD90, CD45, CD44, CD73, and CD105, by flow cytometry. Finally, Alizarin red staining confirmed the differentiation of MSCs into
osteoblasts. Conclusions: Based on our findings, we conclude that the separation and reproduction of adipose tissue cells is an appropriate method for purification of MSCs in animal studies. Regarding the histomorphometric and flow cytometry analysis results, we demonstrated the differentiation ability of MSCs in normal medium and hope to employ these cells for the regeneration of damaged bone tissues in the
future.

The survey of Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) seroprevalence in rabbits was the objective of this study. Meat rabbits in Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Suphan Buri and Phetchaburi provinces were a study population. Blood samples (n=88) were collected during slaughtering process to evaluate the E. cuniculi antibody. Seroprevalence of E. cuniculi was 47.7% in this study population which they were 33.3, 39.5, 80.0 and 81.8% in Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi and Suphan Buri provinces, respectively. Seroprevalence in Suphan Buri and Phetchaburi provinces were higher than Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi provinces (P<0.05). The preliminary results can be used to calculate sample size and perform the control and prevention program in further research studies.

To evaluate the effect of Bilberry pomace (BP) diet supplementation on rabbit meat quality, 144 Grimaud weaned rabbits were divided into 4 groups of 36 animals and fed ad libitum with a basal diet (BP0, 177g CP and 17.9 MJ/kg GE) tested against three assay diets developed by substituting 50, 100 and 150 g/kg of the BP0 diet with BP (BP5, BP10 and BP15, respectively). At 84 days of age, 12 rabbits per diet were chosen and slaughtered without fasting. Proximate composition, colour, cooking losses and fatty acid (FA) profile of Longissimus Dorsi (LD) muscle were evaluated. Meat lipid oxidation was studied at 1, 4 and 7 days of refrigerated storage and at 30 and 60 days of frozen storage, by Thiobarbituric Acid-Reactive Substances (TBARS) assay. All data were analyzed by One-way
ANOVA and differences of means by Duncan’s test. Significance
was set at P≤0.05. Chemical composition and meat quality traits
were not affected by BP supplementation in diet with the exception of redness for BP10 group which reported the lowest (P=0.001) value (-0.41). Regarding FA profile, α linolenic acid (C18:3n3) content significantly (P<0.001) increased with the increase of BP inclusion level (from 2.16% to 8.79%). Dietary treatment significantly (P=0.02) affected TBARS values of refrigerated meat with the highest value reported for BP15 group. No significant effects were reported for frozen meat. In conclusion, the results suggest that BP supplementation improve the fatty acid profile of rabbit meat with a negative effect reported in LD oxidation for BP supplementation level higher than 10 %.

The study focused on identifying the main factors affecting the adoption of technologies in the rabbit industry. Data was collected through the use of the snowball sampling technique. The stocking technology was the highest adopted technology by the rabbit farmers. There is a clear evidence to prove that overall adoption of rabbit technologies among rabbit farmers was low. Adoption of rabbit technologies was dependent on age, marital status, type of farming and main purpose of entering the rabbit business. Majority of the respondents were faced with time constraints in rabbit technology adoption. Technology oriented programmes must still be organised and intensified among rabbit farmers since overall adoption among rabbit farmers was low.

The present study was intended to investigate the influence of using 20% and 40% treated or untreated wheat germ meal in growing New Zealand rabbit diets. A total of 75 weaned New Zealand White rabbits aged six weeks old, with an average initial weight of 659.60±18.84g were divided into five groups with five replicates in each group (three rabbits per replicate). The first group was fed on a basal diet (T1), second and third groups received diets containing Wheat Germ Meal (WGM), as replacement of soybean meal protein, at levels of 20% and 40% and were labeled as T2, T3, respectively. Fourth and fifth groups were fed with 20% and 40% autoclave-treated autoclaved WGM (T4 and T5, respectively). The trial was continued until 14 weeks of age. The present study was evaluated growth performance, blood parameters, carcass traits, meat quality in different groups and also economic efficiency was calculated. There were insignificant differences in terms of live weight, daily weight gain, carcass weight and dressing percentages among rabbits in groups of T1, T2, and T4. Rabbits in the group of T4 achieved the best feed conversion ratio. Digestion coefficients of crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract, nitrogen-free extract, and nutritive value in terms of digestible crude protein, total digestible nutrition, and digestible energy did not significantly differ between T1 and T4. However, these factors significantly decreased in T3 and T5 compared to T1. Plasma total protein and globulin significantly increased in rabbits of T2 and T4 compared to those fed in T1 group. A significant decrease in total cholesterol and total lipid for rabbits in groups of T4, T5, and T2 was observed. Moreover, rabbits fed on T4 or T2 diets had the highest economic efficiency. Conclusively, the untreated or autoclaved W

Background: Modification of the fiber proteins in replication-deficient adenoviral (Ad) vectors through incorporation of specific receptor-binding motifs may represent a strategy to enhance their tissue targeting capabilities.Modification of the fiber proteins in replication-deficient adenoviral (Ad) vectors through incorporation of specific receptor-binding motifs may represent a strategy to enhance their tissue targeting capabilities.Methods: In this study, we compared an unmodified Ad (GV10) with two mutated vectors obtained by insertion of specific target sequences that redirect binding, either toward αV integrin (RGD) or heparan sulfate (UTV) cellular receptors, for reporter gene expression spatial distribution in the rabbit skeletal muscle. In a first series of experiments, injection volume was kept constant and activity of a lacZ transgene was evaluated 48 h after injection of the Ad vectors at different doses. In separate experiments, the effects of different volumes of injection at a constant dose of Ad vector were monitored.In this study, we compared an unmodified Ad (GV10) with two mutated vectors obtained by insertion of specific target sequences that redirect binding, either toward αV integrin (RGD) or heparan sulfate (UTV) cellular receptors, for reporter gene expression spatial distribution in the rabbit skeletal muscle. In a first series of experiments, injection volume was kept constant and activity of a lacZ transgene was evaluated 48 h after injection of the Ad vectors at different doses. In separate experiments, the effects of different volumes of injection at a constant dose of Ad vector were monitored.ResultsAll vectors evaluated showed a significant increase in the number of lacZ-positive muscle segments, with increasing vector dose. However, in muscles treated with the UTV vector, fewer muscle fibers were β-gal-positive than in GV10 or RGD vector treated animals. In fact, total β-gal activity increased in a dose-dependent fashion in the GV10- and RGD-treated muscles, but not in the UTV-treated ones. Remarkably, in samples from UTV-treated animals, a volume-dependent enhancement of transgene expression was observed during experiments performed at the same dose and different injection volumes.All vectors evaluated showed a significant increase in the number of lacZ-positive muscle segments, with increasing vector dose. However, in muscles treated with the UTV vector, fewer muscle fibers were β-gal-positive than in GV10 or RGD vector treated animals. In fact, total β-gal activity increased in a dose-dependent fashion in the GV10- and RGD-treated muscles, but not in the UTV-treated ones. Remarkably, in samples from UTV-treated animals, a volume-dependent enhancement of transgene expression was observed during experiments performed at the same dose and different injection volumes .Conclusions: The results of the present study demonstrate that altering Ad affinity for cellular receptors modulates the level and distribution of transgene activity, conferring characteristics that may allow for treatment customization. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.The results of the present study demonstrate that altering Ad affinity for cellular receptors modulates the level and distribution of transgene activity, conferring characteristics that may allow for treatment customization. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of turmeric powder and ascorbic acid on lipid oxidation and antioxidant capacity in cooked rabbit burgers. The burgers were derived from 3 different formulations (C, control, with no additives; Tu with 3.5% of turmeric powder and AA with 0.1% of ascorbic acid) and were stored at 4°C for 0 and 7 d and cooked. The lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS]) and antioxidant capacity (2,2-azinobis-[3 ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid] {ABTS}, 1,1-diphenyl-2-pircydrazyl [DPPH] and ferric reducing ability [FRAP]) were evaluated. A significant interaction between storage time and formulation (P<0.001) was observed for DPPH, FRAP and TBARS in cooked burgers. At day 0 and day 7, the DPPH value was higher in Tu and AA compared to C burgers. At day 0, C showed a lower level of FRAP than the Tu and AA burgers. At day 7, the FRAP values tended to decrease but remained significantly higher in Tu and AA compared to C burgers. Lipid oxidation at day 0 in Tu and AA showed lower TBARS values compared to C burgers. The addition of 3.5% turmeric powder in rabbit burgers exerts an antioxidant effect during storage and it seems more effective in controlling lipid oxidation than ascorbic acid after cooking.

The aim of the study was to get information about the rabbit meat consumption habits of consumers in Budapest. Data were collected by questionnaires (n=543). 75% of the asked population has already tasted rabbit meat, but 70% of them eat it only one or two times a year. Those people who have a negative attitude to rabbit meat are vegetarian or refuse consumption due to emotional reasons. One third part of the people buy living animals or the whole carcasses (8% and 26%) and 46% is looking for different parts of the rabbit carcass. 66% of the consumers would like to buy semi-finished or ready-made products The culture of rabbit meat cooking is very poor, only 14% of the people could list more than 2 rabbit recipes.

A polymerase chain reaction protocol consisting of a multiplex to identify the cpa, cpb1, cpetx, cpi genes and a duplex to identify the cpe and cpb2 genes encoding for alpha, beta1, epsilon, eta, enterotoxin and beta2 toxins, respectively, was applied to DNA extracted from two collections of Clostridium perfringens strains. The first collection involved 19 isolates from rabbits. The second collection of 41 isolates came from routine necropsies. The cpa gene alone, or in association with the cpb2 gene, was detected in all DNA samples examined. The cpa gene, together with cpb2 gene, were detected in seven of the rabbit C. perfringens strains (36.8%) and in nine isolates from necropsies (21.9%). The cpa gene was found in 63.2% of rabbit strains and 76.9% of strains from other animal species. In rabbits, the pathological lesions associated with C. perfringens detection were predominantly forms of non-inflammatory enteropathies. In other species, C. perfringens was mainly associated with...

Here we report that improved reproductive technologies combined with an efficient microinjection method and in vitro cultivation medium enabled us to create germ line chimeric rabbits. To follow the fate of the chimeric embryo a blastomere marked with the human blood coagulation factor VIII (hFVIII) transgene was microinjected into a morula stage wild type embryo. The degree of chimerism in different tissues was estimated by real-time PCR and was found to be in the range of 0.1-42%. Among the four chimeric animals, one was identified as a chromosomal intersex and two were germline chimeras.

Alexandria line is a synthetic paternal rabbit line which was established and progressing at the nucleus breeding rabbit unit of the Poultry Research Center, Egypt. Molecular genetic characterization of rabbit's lines is a prerequisite towards effective utilization of selection and breeding program. Ten RAPD and SSR primers were used in this study to characterize Alexandria line. A total of 143 bands were detected. Non-specific RAPD markers were detected at MW ranged from 400 to 1800 bp, these markers were generated from primers (1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 10). While specific SSR markers were detected at MW ranged from 550 to 950 bp, these markers were generated from primers (1, 2, 6, and 8). Molecular markers including RAPD and SSR fingerprints represent reliable tools which may have a great impact in rabbit breeding programs and genetic improvement of rabbits.

The cytochrome b mtDNA was analysed from peripheral whole blood samples of meat lines rabbits. The PCR product—692 bp long fragment of Oryctolagus cuniculus_cytochrome b (OCU07566 GenBank, NCBI, USA) was amplified. Synthetically produced oligonucleotides for the detection of cyt b were designed by own algorithm: ORYCTO-cyt b-FOR 5'-CTA TCA GCA ATC CCA TAT ATC-3' and ORYCTO-cyt b-REV 5'-CTT CAT TTG AGG ATT TTG TT-3'. Based on AluI-RFLP were described two cytochrome b haplotypes—cyt b 430 and cyt b 306. Haplotype cyt b 430 is 571A (190Threonine-T) + 877G (292Alanine-A). The new haplotype cyt b 306 is presented A571G nucleotide substitution, i.e, 571G (190Alanine-A) + 877G (292Alanine-A).

In this case report, three different crossbreedings of pet rabbits were performed producing affected as well as healthy bunnies. All affected rabbits were smaller and had local alopecia, exophthalmus, and limb deviations compared to their healthy littermates; thus, a homozygous form of Pelger-Huet anomaly was suspected. This anomaly was confirmed by blood examination in which granulocytes with oval nuclei and a very coarse chromatin pattern, as well as lymphocytes with micronuclei were noticed. Karyotype analyses of the lymphocytes revealed many chromosomal aberrations in affected rabbits. Moreover, severe arterial abnormalities in the pelvic cavity and proximal part of the pelvic limbs were also found in these rabbits. Our findings suggest a multigenic origin of Pelger-Huet anomaly in rabbits, because only male and female offspring with the otter colour of fur were severely affected by this congenital disorder.

Introduction: To improve anatomical atlases, we tried to create a printable 3D atlas of rabbit's
anatomy based on the Anaglyph.
Methods: In this study, twenty white rabbits euthanized and dissected. All 3D images were
reconstructed by means of "stereo photo maker (SPM®)" software.
Results: By this atlas, users can easily understand nomenclature, the topography and, certainly,
the transposition of the anatomical structures in each image even if they are not at the dissecting
room.
Conclusion: The novelty of this atlas may encourage students to spend more time and
concentrate on the material more as opposed to the classical atlases, thereby, leading to better
understanding of anatomy. It is worth mentioning that this atlas has been prepared as an example
for other works.

Normally, Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection in rabbits is the carrier without clinical sign. Therefore, laboratory diagnostic techniques are essential for infection confirmation. Comparison between nested PCR and histopathology with Uvitex 2B staining was the objective of this research. 90 samples were collected from slaughterhouse which received rabbits from farms in Nakornpathom, Phetchaburi and Kanchanaburi province. Before brain sample collection, rabbits were divided into two groups. Group 1 is suspected encephalitozoonosis group by neurological sign (n=7) and group 2 is rabbit without neurological sign (n=83). Both nested PCR and histopathology with Uvitex 2B staining were performed for E.cuniculi detection. Group 1 and 2 gave positive results from any methods 57.14% and 53.01%, respectively. Positive results from nested PCR and histopathology with Uvitex 2B staining in both groups were 25 and 38 samples, respectively. Statistic significant was presented by chi-square statistic (P<0.05). This study showed that meat rabbits with and without disease symptom from slaughterhouse was infected. Additionally, E. cuniculi confirmation should be based on more than one method.