Effect of linseed (Linum usitatissimum) integration on the productive and reproductive performance of female rabbits

Various sources of omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids can affect multiple aspects of breeding female. This study investigated the effects of dietary substitution with extruded linseed on the productive and reproductive performance in female rabbits. Thirty nulliparous New Zealand White female rabbits, assigned to two groups (n = 15) with different diets. The control group (CNT) received a standard diet, while the second group received modified isoenergetic and isoproteic diets in which part of the CNT diet ingredients were replaced with 5% extruded linseed (ELN). The rabbits were observed from artificial insemination to kit weaning, assessing various productive and reproductive parameters. Substitution diet had no significant effect on daily feed intake (DFI), this parameter varied according to the physiological state, with the highest DFI recorded during lactation exceeding 320g/day/head). ELN substitution significantly improved reproductive performance, increasing fertility (91.65%) and prolificacy (4.5  0.12% for C group and 6.510.82% for ELN group) (p < 0.05). The number of parturient Female rabbits and total kits per litter was higher in the ELN group. Indeed, total number of births per litter has rising from 4.88 to 7.42 at first birth and from 4.17 to 5.6 at second birth. However, the number of lifeless kits was also higher (110.1for ELN group then 40.8 for the C group and), warranting further investigation. ELN had a significant effect on kit growth (P<0.05), improving average daily weight gain (ADG) (2.250.6 g/ day for C group and 2.74 0.3g/ day for ELN group), but did not impact final Body weight (2.330.031 kg/ day for C group and 2.26 0.024kg/ day for ELN group) (p > 0.05). In conclusion, ELN substitution enhances reproductive efficiency and kit growth without affecting maternal health. However, research is required to lower the number of lifeless kits.