357. Effects of Amino Acid Supplementation on Fiber Growth in Angora Rabbits.

Abstract Angora rabbit fiber is highly valued for production of fine textiles. However, as a relatively niche species, limited information is available about the impact of nutrition on productivity. This project evaluated whether dietary supplementation with amino acids would increase fiber growth in Angora rabbits. Three French Angora rabbits were provided with cysteine-supplemented, methionine supplemented, or control diets in a Latin Square design. Diet treatments took place over three eight-week periods, with three-week washout periods between treatments. A standardized rectangular section of each rabbit’s back was sheared before and after each treatment period, and fiber yield (g/cm2) was measured at the end of each treatment period. Length of the undercoat and guard hairs at each rabbit’s shoulder and hip were also measured at the end of each treatment period, prior to shearing. These four values were averaged to produce a total hair length index (mm). At this time, data from the first two treatment periods indicates that hair length was greater (t = 4.81, df = 2, p = 0.041) after the first treatment period (M = 61.83) than the second (M = 46.75), suggesting a seasonal effect. There were no significant differences between treatments for fiber yield (F = 0.85, p = 0.47) or hair length (F = 0.36, p = 0.71).