<b>Reproductive traits and body weight of rabbit does: age and remating interval effect at the first presentation to the buck</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v25i1.494

Abstract

The objective was to investigate the age effect at the first presentation to the buck and its interaction with the length of the first remating interval on reproductive traits, litter performance traits and body weights of rabbit does in the first two reproductive cycles. Seventy-five nulliparous does were randomly assigned to four experimental groups which combined two ages at the first presentation (22 or 34 weeks) and two remating intervals (10 or 24 days). Does exposed to the buck on week 22 presented lower body weight at conception and on days 7, 21, and 35 post-partum, but age at the first presentation did not affect the number of services/conception in the first cycle. There was no effect of age at the first presentation on the performance of the first litter. No effect of the interaction of age at the first presentation x remating interval was detected on any traits in the second cycle. However, does that were younger at the first presentation were still lighter at second conception and also on days 7, 21 and 35 post-partum; they required a higher number of services for the second conception; had a larger parturition interval; and presented smaller and lighter litters at weaning. The 10-d remating interval resulted, as expected, in shorter parturition interval and also in lower body weight on day 7, but no other traits were influenced. A delay for the first presentation may be recommended in order to improve reproductive and litter performances in the second reproductive cycle. Remating interval should be kept at 10 days, despite of age at the first presentation.