文献类型： 外文期刊

作者： Ye, Dingcheng ¹ ; Ding, Xiaoning ² ; Pang, Shuo ² ; Gan, Yating ² ; Li, Zhechen ² ; Gan, Qianfu ² ; Fang, Shaoming ² ;

作者机构： 1.Fujian Acad Agr Sci, Inst Anim Husb & Vet Med, Fujian Key Lab Anim Genet & Breeding, Fuzhou 350013, Peoples R China

2.Fujian Agr & Forestry Univ, Coll Anim Sci, Coll Bee Sci, Fuzhou 350002, Peoples R China

关键词： seasonal variations; meat rabbit; production performance; gut microbiota; health status; semi-confined conditions

期刊名称：ANIMALS （ 影响因子：3.0； 五年影响因子：3.2 ）

ISSN： 2076-2615

年卷期： 2024 年 14 卷 1 期

页码：

收录情况： SCI

摘要： Simple Summary Due to the fact that rabbit meat possesses high levels of proteins and polyunsaturated fatty acids with low contents of fat and cholesterol that can meet the urgent demand for a healthy diet in modern life, the meat rabbit industry in China has been rapidly developed in recent years. However, rabbits are more sensitive to seasonal changes owing to their specific physiological characteristics, such as few sweat glands, thick coats of fur, high metabolic rate, and high growth rate. In this study, we investigated the variations in productivity, health status, and gut microbiota of meat rabbits reared in semi-confined conditions between summer and winter. In the summer season, the relative high ambient temperature and humidity could trigger disturbance of the gut microbiome, potential heat stress, reduced antioxidant defense, and increased inflammation risk, which consequently deteriorated production performance. In the winter season, changes in energy demand, photoperiod, and feeding pattern should be regarded as important factors that affect the productivity of meat rabbits. Based on our findings, we not only proposed several realistic strategies to alleviate the unfavorable influences of seasonal alterations on the productivity and well-being of meat rabbits but also pointed out the future directions for this study of molecular mechanisms in adaptation physiology.Abstract In this study, we investigated the variations in production performance, health status, and gut microbiota of meat rabbits raised in the semi-confined barn during summer and winter. Compared to summer, rabbits reared in winter possessed significantly higher slaughter weight and carcass weight. Rabbits fed in the summer were more vulnerable to different stressors, which led to increased protein levels of HSP90, IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-2, and concentrations of MDA, but declined GSH and SOD activities. Additionally, significant differences in gut microbial communities were observed. Compared to the winter, rabbits fed in the summer had significantly lower and higher alpha and beta diversity. Both Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobiota were the dominant phyla, and they accounted for greater proportions in the winter than in the summer. At lower microbial taxa levels, several seasonal differentially enriched microbes were identified, such as Akkermansia muciniphila, the Oscillospiraceae NK4A214 group, the Christensenellaceae R-7 group, Alistipes, and Muribaculaceae. Functional capacities linked to microbial proliferation, nutrient metabolism, and environmental adaptive responses exhibited significantly different abundances between summer and winter. Moreover, strong interactions among different indicators were presented. Based on our findings, we not only proposed several potential strategies to ameliorate the undesirable effects of seasonal changes on the productivity and health of meat rabbits but also underscored the directions for future mechanistic studies of adaptation physiology.