
Rabbit Blood Parameters at different stocking densities / Yaranoğlu et al. __________________________________________________________
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INTRODUCTION
suspended in plasma and plays a fundamental role in maintaining
biochemical parameters serve as valuable indicators of the health
and function of internal organs and systems [1, 2, 3].
Stress is a biological response in the form of anatomical,
physiological and behavioral changes that threaten the homeostasis.
Animals experience varying degrees of both psychological and
physiological stress at different stages of their lives. To mitigate
the risk of excessive stress, it is crucial to employ objective measures
for identifying its causative factors. Properly managing an animal's
exposure to stress factors not only has a positive impact on their
productivity but also enhances overall welfare [4].
In animal production, the stress level is one of the important criteria
various factors, and it is recommended to analyze a combination of
criteria, including productivity levels, behavioral characteristics, and
physiological parameters (hematological, enzymatic, and hormonal),
in order to accurately identify the causes of stress. This integrated
approach enables a comprehensive understanding of the factors
impacting animal welfare and facilitates effective strategies for stress
management in animal production systems [5, 6, 7].
Ovuru and Ekweozor [8] emphasized that blood data was a very
important indicator in understanding whether animals were adapted
to the environment in which they were raised. Environmental
changes can induce stress in animals, leading to alterations in
blood parameters as a result of physiological responses to these
valuable insights into the adaptive capacity of animals and helps in
understanding how they respond to and cope with changes in their
surroundings. This emphasizes the role of blood analysis as a key tool
in assessing the overall welfare and adaptability of animals to their
environment. New Zealand rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) stands out
with its short generation interval, high fertility rate and short gestation
period. Indeed, rabbits serve a dual role as both laboratory animals
commonly used in experimental studies and important farm animals
recommended for breeding. One of the key factors contributing to
of omega–3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and essential
amino acids. In terms of the superior properties of the meat, it is
among the functional foods whose importance has been increasing
in the health sector in recent years [9, 10].
The establishment of standard conditions in laboratory animal
breeding is important for the uniformity and reliability of the
results to be obtained at the end of the study. In this respect, it is
necessary to provide animals convenient environment that meet their
requirements in which they can adapt without geting stressed. At
the same time, animals that adapt to different conditions easily and
remain unaffected by the environmental changes contribute to the
enhanced reliability of study results. Providing a suitable and stress–
free environment not only promotes the welfare of laboratory animals
but also plays a vital role in obtaining accurate and reproducible
2, 11, 12].
Increasing the quantity of animals raised per unit area in farm
animal decrease. Commercial enterprises often strive to maximize
is crucial to recognize that higher animal stocking density, especially
the animals. This heightened stress can potentially lead to more
frequent occurrences of aggressive and dominant behaviors among
the animals [13, 14].
The ideal cage size for rabbits should provide enough width for
the animal to stretch its body and stand straight simultaneously In
addition, it should be taken into account that young rabbits need more
space due to their rapid movements and higher activity This ensures
that the living environment accommodates their natural behaviors
and allows for proper physical development. Providing adequate
space in cages is not only essential for the rabbits' welfare but also
contributes to their overall health and well–being [15].
The study aimed to investigate the effects of different stocking
densities on oxidative stress, some hematological and biochemical
blood parameters in New Zealand rabbits. Additionally, the study
aimed to identify the optimal cage area that allows rabbits to live
sought to contribute valuable insights into the relationship between
stocking density and the physiological welfare of New Zealand rabbits,
ultimately aiming to inform practices that promote a healthier and
less stressful living environment.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Ethical statement
Experiments Local Ethics Committee (2020/4–19).
Experimental design and animals
old New Zealand rabbits were used in the study. The weaned rabbits
were separated from their mothers, placed into experimental cages and
the study was started. Each rabbit was assigned a number, and each
rabbit was randomly transferred to the experimental cages according
to the simple random selection method. The low sexual dimorphism
and the early age of rabbits justify the standard practice of mixed
sex rearing of females and males in intensive commercial farms and
laboratories. The research period was lasted 2 months. During this
period, a commercial ration was prepared in accordance with the
needs of the rabbits was given ad libitum and provide water in drinkers
at all times of experiment. Animals were fed an experimental ration
appropriate for their energy and protein requirements. Ingrediants and
chemical composition of the experimental diet were shown
Housing conditions of the rabbits
Animals were placed in stainless steel racks with plastic suspension
cages at different stocking densities. The cages in which the animals
housed were standard and their dimensions were 71.3 × 71.6 × 47.6 cm
(width×depth×height). Experimental groups were 1 rabbit per cage
(C
1
), 2 rabbits per cage (C
2
) and 3 rabbits (C
3