<b>Evaluation of lipid metabolic and steroid hormones in serum of rabbit does fed on rations containing different sources of vegetable oil</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v26i3.1812

Abstract

Forty rabbit does were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design, with four treatments (oil-free ration and rations with 3% canola oil, 3% corn oil or 3% soybean oil) and 10 replications. Blood samples were collected on the 16^th day of their first and second pregnancies, and on the 11^th day after the first birth. Concentrations of total triglyceride, total cholesterol, high (HDL), low (LDL) and very low (VLDL) density lipoprotein (HDL), progesterone and 17ß-estradiol were analyzed in serum. No difference was reported among treatments (p>0.05). However, levels of HDL-cholesterol and 17ß-estradiol were higher in the second pregnancy (p<0.05). Progesterone concentration was lower (p<0.05) during the first pregnancy and became higher 11 days after the first birth. It may be suggested that rations with 3% vegetable oil failed to cause any changes in serum lipid profiles and in steroid hormone levels.