Estudio de la restricción del crecimiento intrauterino (IUGR) y el comportamiento productivo durante la gestación en conejas (Oryctolagus cuniculus), bajo condiciones de subnutrición y suplementación energética

Abstract

This project was carried out in the city of Puyo where 18 nulliparous New Zealand rabbits (6 per treatment) with a live weight of approximately 3.8 kg and 5 months of age were used, which were pregnant by natural riding; the experimental period lasted 7 days with 24 previous days of adaptation. The objective of this research was to study intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and productive behavior in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), under conditions of undernutrition and energy supplementation during the gestation stage. T1 rabbits were given a diet that covered all nutritional requirements, T2 rabbits were given a diet with an energy deficit and a 25% food restriction, and T3 rabbits were given a diet with supplementation energy promoted by propylene glycol, which was administered 30 ml daily, the T2 and T3 diets were administered from the 25th day of gestation until the day of delivery. The weight of the rabbits was recorded; as well as the thickness of perirenal fat (GPR) on days 25 and 30 of gestation. The IUGR was assessed by: placental weight, weight of the rabbits, weight of the uterus, biparietal diameter, anterior-posterior diameter, crown-rump length, thoracic diameter, organ weight of the rabbits; progesterone level. The number of rabbits, the weight of the uterus, the weight of the placenta and the serum progesterone values between the treatments did not show significant differences. Regarding the weight of the rabbits, there were significant differences (P = 0.0045), being the weight of those in T1 higher than in T2 and T3. There was a difference in the weights of the rabbits between days 25 and 30, as well as an increase in GPR for the 3 treatments. Regarding the external development of the rabbits, there were significant differences with T1 values higher than T2 and T3, also in the weight of their organs. It was concluded that the use of diets with supplementation and energy restriction in pregnant rabbits does not markedly affect the productive behavior of the rabbits; while in the rabbits yes. Likewise they produce IUGR, however in T3 it was produced by the stress caused by constantly handling the animals during the administration of propylene glycol, but not by its use.