the haematology of rabbits reared under two housing systems

Aim : To study the influence of housing system and dietary supplementation of probiotics and enzymes on haematological parameters of rabbits. Materials and Methods: A total of 144 weaned rabbits were divided into 2 groups of 72 in each group and housed under conventional cage system and backyard system. The rabbits in each housing system were divided into 4 groups of 18 in each group and the diets were supplemented with probiotics, enzymes and both. Results: The housing system and supplementation of probiotics and enzymes did not exert significant influence on any of the haematological parameters studied. However, there was slight positive influence of probiotic and enzyme supplementation on the health status of rabbits as revealed by haematological parameters. The overall mean Total erythrocyte count, total leucocyte count, lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, haemoglobin and packed cell volume were 7.52, 6.29 (103/mm3), 60.27%, 35.71%, 1.35%, 1.92%, 10.67 g/dl and 34.25%, respectively. Conclusion: Rabbits can be reared on low input backyard system without any adverse effect on health and supplementation of probiotics and enzymes had a positive influence on health status of rabbits.


Introduction
share of India is negligible.In developing countries such as India, where enormous meat shortages exist, The role of rabbits to provide a regular supply of the potential for rabbit production is greatest.R high quality protein and income under sustainable systems that utilize renewable resources at minimal costs is presently recognized in many parts of the world, especially in the wake of emerging diseases associated with other species like Avian Influenza, In view of the higher initial capital Swine flu etc.. Rabbits have number of characteristics investment in providing cage system of housing, the such as small body size, short generation interval, high proposed study is aimed to evaluate the effect of reproductive potential, rapid growth rate, genetic raising rabbits under back yard system of rearing.diversity and the ability to utilize forages and by-Comparative analysis of the production/reproduction products as major diet components that make them parameters vis-a-vis production cost in the 3 groups suitable as meat-producing small livestock [1].
favoured the non-conventional housing system (bare Combes [2] reported that rabbit meat contains 21.0 + floor), which is cost effective in terms of production 1.5% protein, 1.2 + 0.1% minerals and 59 mg/100g and also guarantees lower mortality and higher cholesterol.A ratio of omega 6/omega 3 of 5.9 make production [5].rabbit meat attractive for health purposes.Rabbit meat Of late, use of antibiotics as growth stimulators is a highly digestible, low calorie food, often is being discouraged.recommended by nutritionists over other meats [3].
The world rabbit meat production is estimated to be 1.69 million tons in the year 2010 [4].However, the abbit rearing is gaining momentum because of the fact that meat from rabbit is low in cholesterol and delicious.In fact, backyard rabbitries are best suited for our country to increase the per capita income and protein availability.
product. at recommended levels.Feed and water were made A total of 144 weaned rabbits (28 days) belonging available ad-libitum to all the experimental animals.to 3 breeds viz.New Zealand White, Grey Giant and About 200 gms of Lucerne green fodder was offered to Flemish Giant, maintained at the "Rabbit Production each rabbit daily.for Meat" scheme of the Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary Science, Hematological traits studied: At 16 weeks of age, Hyderabad were divided into two groups and were blood was collected into vaccutainers from ear vein.reared in conventional cage system and backyard Hematological parameters such as total erythrocyte rearing system, until 16 weeks of age.Each group was count, total leucocyte count, hemoglobin, differential subdivided into 4 groups each consisting of 18 rabbits.leucocyte count and packed cell volume were The three breeds were equally represented in all the estimated by automatic whole blood analyzer groups.Rations supplemented with probiotics and (Humacount, Medsource Ozone Biomedical Pvt.Ltd).enzymes were fed to three groups of rabbits while one The data recorded on different traits were subjected to group was fed control ration.least squares analysis [10] using the General Linear Model procedure of SPSS version 15.Housing and management: Bunnies under cage system of rearing were housed in galvanized iron wire Results net cages arranged in rows on an iron frame in "M" The mean hematological parameters in broiler shape at a height of about 2.5 feet from the floor.Each rabbits as affected by rations in rabbits reared under bunny was provided a cage floor area of 1 square foot cage and backyard systems of housing are presented in by accommodating 6 bunnies in one cage of 3.0 feet Tables-1.length, 2.0 feet width and 1.25 feet height.Cages were equipped with automatic waterers and earthen pots Total erythrocyte count (TEC): The overall mean were used as feeders.The asbestos roof of the rabbitry total erythrocyte count of rabbits was 7.52 ± 0.12 and was covered with a thin layer of paddy straw, which ranged from 7.49 ± 0.16 in cage system to 7.54 ± 0.19 was wetted with overhead water sprinklers during hot (106/mm3) in backyard systems with non-significant periods of the day.Gunny cloth curtains were hung differences.The mean TEC in rabbits fed experimental around the sheds to protect the animals from extreme rations T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 7.03 ± 0.19, 7.22 ± temperatures.
0.14, 7.78 ± 0.15 and 7.28 ± 0.26 (x106/mm3) in cage For backyard system, a thatched roof shed with system and 7.47 ± 0.24, 7.12 ± 0.14, 7.62 ± 0.32 and gravel floor and chain link wire mesh walls was 7.95 ± 0.10 in back yard system, respectively.Slightly erected and rabbits were provided floor space of about higher values were observed in rabbits fed experimental 2 square feet per bunny.Concentrate feed and fresh rations but, the differences were non-significant statistically.and clean drinking water were made available ad-Total leucocyte count (TLC): The mean total libitum by using earthen bowls.leucocyte count of rabbits was 6.29 ± 0.08 and ranged Experimental rations and feeding: The four from 6.13 ± 0.10 in cage system to 6.46 ± 0.13 (x103/mm3) in backyard system of rearing with non-on the neutrophil per cent in blood.significant differences among the leucocyte count of Eosinophils: The mean eosinophil per cent in rabbits rabbits reared under the two housing systems.Mean was 1.35 ± 0.14 and ranged from 1.33 ± 0.19 in TLC in cage reared rabbits ranged from 5.94 ± 0.16 in backyard system to 1.38 ± 0.19 in cage system of T1 to 6.34 ± 0.20 in T3.No significant differences rearing.The effect of housing system was nonwere observed in the TLC due to the influence of significant on eosinophil per cent.The eosinophil per feeding experimental rations, though slightly higher cent in broiler rabbits reared under cage system of values were observed in those fed experimental housing ranged from 1.00 ± 0.37 to 1.83 ± 0.31 while it rations.Under backyard system of housing, the mean ranged from 1.00 ± 0.37 to 2.00 ± 0.52 in backyard TLC in rabbits fed experimental rations T1, T2, T3 and system of rearing.The influence of experimental rations T4 were 6.21 ± 0.26, 6.50 ± 0.19, 6.43 ± 0.31 and 6.68 was found to be non-significant under both the systems.± 0.34, respectively.No significant differences were observed due to the influence of feeding experimental Monocytes: The mean monocyte per cent in rabbits rations.
was 1.92 ± 0.13 and ranged from 1.83 ± 0.21 in backyard system to 2.00 ± 0.17 in cage system.The Lymphocytes: The overall least squares mean lymphocyte influence of housing system and experimental rations per cent was 60.27 ± 1.38 and ranged from 57.83 ± was non-significant on the monocyte per cent.The 1.73 in cage system to 62.71 ± 2.08 in backyard system mean monocyte per cent in rabbits ranged from 1.83 ± of rearing with non-significant differences among the 0.17 to 2.17 ± 0.31 under cage system and from 1.66 ± rabbits reared under the two housing systems.The 0.17 to 2.00 ± 0.31 under backyard system.influence of experimental rations was found to be nonsignificant on the lymphocyte per cent in rabbits Hemoglobin: The mean Hemoglobin content of reared under both the housing systems.The rabbits was 10.77 ± 0.06 and ranged from 10.51 ± 0.08 lymphocyte per cent ranged from 55.33 ± 3.05 in (T4) in cage system to 11.03 ± 0.10 (g/dl) in backyard to 60.33 ± 4.12 (T2) in cage system and from 57.83 ± system of rearing with nonsignificant differences 5.89 (T4) to 66.83 ± 2.12 (T2) in backyard system.
among the rabbits reared under the two housing systems.The influence of experimental rations was Neutrophils: The mean neutrophil per cent in rabbit also non-significant in rabbits reared under both the blood was 35.71 ± 1.03 and ranged from 35.46 ± 1.44 housing systems.The hemoglobin content ranged in cage system to 35.96 ± 1.50 in backyard system with from 10.38 ± 0.24 to 10.73 ± 0.13 in cage reared non-significant differences among the rabbits under rabbits and from 10.74 ± 0.17 to 10.92 ± 0.11 in the two housing systems.Mean neutrophil per cent in backyard system of rearing.No significant differences broiler rabbits ranged from 34.17 ± 3.56 to 36.67 ± were observed among the rabbits fed different 2.38 under cage system and from 33.22 ± 3.15 to 38.00 experimental rations.± 2.11 under backyard system.The influence of experimental rations was found to be non-significant rabbits was 34.25 ± 0.37 and ranged from 34.17 ± 0.49 reported a significantly higher total WBC count in in cage system to 34.33 ± 0.57% in backyard system of broiler rabbits fed diets supplemented with probiotics.rearing with nonsignificant differences among the The results also corroborate the finding of [18] who rabbits reared under the two housing systems.The reported significantly higher leucocyte counts in PCV ranged from 33.84 ± 0.61 in (T3) to 34.60 ± 0.63 broiler chicks fed bio active Yeast.While [24] reported (T4) in cage reared rabbits while it ranged from 33.50 no significant effect of addition of probiotics on blood ± 1.00 (T3) to 34.67 ± 0.80 (T2) in backyard reared characteristics.The improvement in blood profile with rabbits.The effect of supplementation of enzymes and probiotic containing S. boulardii indicates its beneficial probiotics was non-significant on the PCV under both effect on haemopoiesis and immunostimulatory effect the housing systems.as reported by [19] in broiler chicken.The results also corroborate the findings of [21].

Discussion
Lymphocytes: No significant differences were observed Total erythrocyte count: Housing system did not with respect to mean lymphocyte per cent in broiler have any significant effect on the total erythrocyte rabbits reared under two systems of housing.Rations count of rabbits.The mean TEC of rabbits was 7.49 ± 6 supplemented with either enzymes, probiotics or both 0.16 and 7.54 ± 0.19 (x10 /mm3) in cage and backyard did not exert any significant influence on the mean systems of housing respectively which is within the lymphocyte per cent in broiler rabbits reared under 6 normal range of 3.8 -7.9 x10 /mm3 [11].However, in cage or backyard system of housing.The mean both the housing systems, slightly higher values were lymphocyte percent observed in the present observed in rabbits fed probiotics but, the differences experiment are within the normal physiological range were non-significant statistically.The results are in as reported by [11] .The results are in accordance with accordance with findings of [12] who reported that the findings of [22].The results of the present TEC increased when broiler chicks were fed diets investigation are contrary to the findings of [17] who containing probiotic organisms S.boulardi and reported significantly higher absolute lymphocyte P.acidilacticii, indicating a positive influence on the count in rabbits fed ration containing bioactive yeast.hematological indices like TEC.The results of the The normal lymphocyte count in the present study is a present investigation are supported by findings of [13, good indicator, as increased lymphocyte count is a 14] who recorded highest mean values of TEC in sign of viral infection or any other disease condition.broiler chicks fed Diet supplemented with probiotics.This infers that the broiler rabbits in the present The results also corroborate the findings of [21][22][23] experiment were in a state of sound health.who observed non significant effect of yeast culture at different levels on total erythrocyte count in broiler Neutrophils: There were no significant differences in chicks while [24] did not report any effect of probiotics the mean neutrophil percent in rabbit blood due to the supplementation on blood characteristics in pigs.influence of housing system.Supplementation of enzymes, Enzyme supplemented group of rabbits in both the probiotics or both did not have any significant effect systems of housing showed a non-significant increase on neutrophil per cent either in cage or backyard in erythrocyte count, similar to the findings of [16,23].system.The observations of the present study were in the normal range of 35.02 to 43.2 %, as reported by Total leucocyte count: Leucocytes are cells of [11].Normal neutrophil count observed in the present immune system chiefly involved in defending the study indicates that the rabbits are free from any body against both infectious diseases and foreign infection or inflammatory conditions as in such cases, material.No significant differences were observed in there will be a general increase in the neutrophil count.broiler rabbits with respect to leucocyte count in two systems of housing.There was a non significant Eosinophils: Housing system and dietary supplemenincrease in the TLC in broilers fed rations tation of probiotics and enzymes did not exert supplemented with probiotics in both the systems of significant influence on the eosonophil count in broiler housing and ranged from 5.94 ± 0.16 in (T1) to 6.34 ± rabbits.The mean eosinophil per cent in rabbits was 0.20(x103/mm3) in (T3) in cage system and 6.21 ± 1.35 ± 0.14 and ranged from 1.33 ± 0.19 in backyard 0.26 in (T1) to 6.68 ± 0.34 (x103/mm3) in (T4) under system to 1.38 ± 0.19 in cage system of rearing.The backyard system.The TLC obtained in the present Eosnophil count in the present experiment was within study was within the normal range of 5-8 x 103/mm3 the normal range of 0 to 4% as reported by [11].[11].The results obtained in the present study are in Increased eosonophil counts are generally indicative accordance with the findings of [17] who have of allergic conditions and parasitic infestation and the normal values obtained in the present study hint at the Veterinary University for the infrastructure and funding.good health status of the rabbits.
The concentrate feed mixture contained Maize

Packed Cell Volume (PCV):
The mean PCV of

Table - 1
. Mean haematological parameters of rabbits reared under cage and backyard systems as affected by experimental rations