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Vitamins in rabbit nutrition Literature review and recommandations

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François Lebas at French National Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE)
François Lebas
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Abstract

Vitamins are classified in a total of 13 substances or groups of substances. Four vitamins are fat-soluble (vitamin A, D E, and K) and the nine others (vitamins of the B-complex and vitamin C) are water-soluble. The water-soluble vitamins and vitamin K are normally synthesised by the rabbit's digestive flora; but in cases of high risk of digestive disorders (e.g. just after weaning), dietary supplementation may be advisable. In addition, a vitamin C supplementation (25 to 30 mg per rabbit and per day) can help the animal in stress situations (heat stress, ...). The vitamin A requirement is largely satisfied if the diet contains 10 000 IU vitamin A per kg or 30 ppm of beta-carotene. Additional provision of vitamin A is unnecessary for growing rabbits and may be toxic to the foetus in pregnant does. The dietary recommended vitamin D level is 800 to 1000 IU/kg. If the dietary concentration is greater than 2000 IUi/kg, abnormal calcification of soft tissues (aorta, kidneys, ...) is generally observed. The recommendation for vitamin E is 50 mg/kg. A diet that contains only 15 mg/kg of vitamin E induces deficiency symptoms (muscular dystrophy, sudden death, reproduction disorders, ...). A massive introduction of vitamin E is not toxic but may improve rabbit meat shelf-life, by reduction of the rate of lipid oxidation
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... Historically, vitamin D has been provided to captive rabbits through their diet; however, this is not without risk. Hypervitaminosis D is typically linked to dietary sources of vitamin D, with rabbits fed diets containing 3250 to 5000 IU/kg of vitamin D developing calcification of their tissues [21][22][23]. To date, there is no record of hypervitaminosis D associated with UVB exposure [4], and research in humans suggests that there are even mechanisms to destroy previtamin D when UVB exposure is prolonged [24]. ...
... To date, there is no record of hypervitaminosis D associated with UVB exposure [4], and research in humans suggests that there are even mechanisms to destroy previtamin D when UVB exposure is prolonged [24]. The results of the Emerson et al. [3] study noted that the 25-OHD 3 concentrations did not change in their control group when fed a commercial diet containing vitamin D concentrations considered appropriate for rabbits (900 IU/kg) [21,23,25]. This was also the same diet used in the present study and in Watson et al. [4]. ...
Effects of Short-Duration Artificial Ultraviolet B Exposure on 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 Concentrations in Domestic Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Article
Full-text available
  • Apr 2023
Simple Summary Vitamin D is an important hormone that can be acquired through diet or exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. Few studies have evaluated the effects of UVB radiation on vitamin D concentrations in the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus); however, initial findings have found they can increase their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OHD3) following 12 h of artificial UVB exposure. Current husbandry recommendations for rabbits do not include specific UVB lighting requirements. Rabbits are a common pet and research model and are frequently housed indoors without access to natural UVB lighting. Rabbits that are chronically vitamin D deficient may develop mineral deficiencies that can lead to poor calcification of the teeth and skull, predisposing these animals to dental abnormalities, bone infections, and other debilitating diseases. While initial results suggest artificial UVB is positive for rabbits, UVB can also be detrimental to the health of vertebrates. The aim of this study was to determine if shorter-duration UVB exposure could also increase 25-OHD3 concentrations. Rabbits were provided 6 h of artificial UVB daily for 14 days, and there was a significant increase in 25-OHD3 concentrations over time. These findings affirm that rabbits can use short-duration artificial UVB to increase 25-OHD3 concentrations. Abstract Vitamin D is an important hormone that can be acquired through diet, exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, or a combination of these methods. In domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), both methods appear viable, but there is limited research evaluating the effects of UVB on this species. Previous studies found that 12 h of artificial UVB radiation significantly increased 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OHD3) concentrations over time. While these findings suggest UVB can be beneficial in rabbits, this form of radiation can also be detrimental to vertebrates. The purpose of this study was to determine if shorter-duration UVB could elicit a similar physiological response in rabbits while minimizing potential negative effects. Six rabbits were used for this pilot study. The baseline serum 25-OHD3 was measured for each rabbit and following 14 days of 6 h/day exposure to artificial UVB, a second 25-OHD3 sample was collected. There was a significant increase (p = 0.001) in serum 25-OHD3 over time (Baseline: 27.7 ± 8.1 nmol/L; Day 14: 79.8 ± 9 nmol/L). This study affirmed that 6 h of UVB produced 25-OHD3 concentrations similar to those found in rabbits exposed to 12 h of UVB. Future studies should continue to determine how the duration of UVB exposure affects 25-OHD3 concentrations.
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... TBARS analysis is one of the oldest and most commonly used methods of assessing lipid oxidation in food, and it is based on the spectrophotometric determination of MDA, a product of oxidation, directly in the food [2]. The TBARS test is often used to evaluate oxidative status owing to its simple procedure and its high correlation with sensory scores [21]; however, it has often been the object of criticism. In fact, MDA only forms from fatty acid chains containing at least three double bonds, such as linolenic acid. ...
... In the EcoE premixture, the amount (50,000 mg/kg) of vitamin C (VC) corresponded to 5 and 10 mg/kg of feed in the EcoE100 and EcoE200 diets, respectively. The small amount of VC present in EcoE, lower than the minimum requirements for rabbits [21], suggests excluding that any effects found with the administration of EcoE could be attributed to VC. ...
The Evaluation of the Effects of Dietary Vitamin E or Selenium on Lipid Oxidation in Rabbit Hamburgers: Comparing TBARS and Hexanal SPME-GC Analyses
Article
Full-text available
  • Jun 2022
The effects and specificity of dietary supplementation of EconomasETM (EcoE), mainly consisting of organic selenium (0.15 or 0.30 mg/kg feed; Se) or of vitamin E (100 or 200 mg/kg feed; VE), on lipid oxidation were evaluated in rabbit hamburgers during refrigerated storage. Oxidation data obtained by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) spectrophotometric analysis and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography (GC) to determine hexanal content were compared. The relationships between oxidation levels, colour and pH and the discriminability of EcoE- or VE-treatment compared with control were also examined. TBARS content decreased in both VE and EcoE groups, while hexanal showed lower values only in the VE100 dietary group. The colour parameters were compatible with acceptable product quality and seemed to parallel the TBARS values up to the second day storage. Both VE and EcoE improved oxidative stability without affecting the sensory properties, but the VE effect appeared to more specifically hamper lipid oxidation, as evidenced by the determination and quantification of hexanal, a specific product of fatty acid peroxidation.
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... First, it should be considered that the proposed safe upper limits of vitamin D concentration in herbivore diets were already exceeded in this experiment after 12 h of irradiation (Lebas 2000;NRC 1987). These limits have, however, been established for cholecalciferol, which was undetectable in the present experiment, and might be more active or even toxic than ergocalciferol. ...
The Potential of an Artificially Ultraviolet B Irradiated Hay as a Source of Vitamin D
Article
  • Jan 2025
  • J ANIM PHYSIOL AN N
Roughage can be a significant source of vitamin D in herbivore diets. The vitamin D content of forages can vary considerably and depends, among others, on plant species, plant maturity and climate fluctuations. Ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure causes conversion of provitamin D to vitamin D and thus represents the most important influence. To characterise this effect, two batches of a young‐cut roughage of high hygienic and nutritional quality were exposed to constant artificial UVB‐irradiation up to 192 h and were sampled at regular intervals. In previous studies, both ergocalciferol (vitamin D 2 ), cholecalciferol (vitamin D 3 ) and/or their metabolites have been detected in plants. Therefore, the present roughage was analysed for both D 2 and D 3 . Whereas cholecalciferol never exceeded the detection limit of 0.25 µg/100 g, ergocalciferol increased from 2.22 µg to 19.15 µg/100 g dry matter in a time‐dependent manner. Additionally, the values indicate an interplay with other factors not investigated in this study, for example, leaf‐stem‐ratio in the different samples. The high amounts of ergocalciferol in the experimental roughage after UVB‐exposure confirm the value of hay as a vitamin D source for managed herbivores. The quick rise with time cautions against neglecting UVB‐irradiation's effect on feed, both in practical as well as in experimental settings.
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... Vitamin A is available as feed supplements in form of retinyl acetate or retinyl palmitate (preformed vitamin A) and β-carotene (provitamin A). In rabbits, vitamin A supplementation could be sufficiently met with consuming β-carotene because intestinal mucosa is able to convert β-carotene to retinol (Lebas, 2000). Strychalski et al. (2022) proved that addition of Aztec marigold flower extract to rabbit diets increased the gene expression of β-carotene oxygenase 2 (BCO2), which involved in metabolism of carotenoids and vitamin A. Moreover, dietary carotenoids increased yellow pigmentation in rabbits' meat, adipose tissue, liver, and milk as well as there is a strong positive relationship between dietary carotenoids and their concentration in plasma, which is involved in enhancing the antioxidative properties (Strychalski et al., 2019a, b). ...
Current Prospects of Nutraceuticals in Rabbit Productivity and Health – an Updated Review
Article
Full-text available
  • Oct 2023
  • ANN ANIM SCI
Weaned rabbits become extremely vulnerable to enteric infections as a result of ban of using antibiotics as growth promoters. Recently, there are a growing interest in natural alternatives of antibiotics that could be used in rabbit production. Nutraceuticals are dietary components that offer additional health benefits override their nutritive benefits. Nutraceuticals include vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, enzymes, organic acids, fatty acids, medicinal plants, etc. Due to its potential impacts on maintaining the normal physiological status, strengthening the immune system, and preventing illness, which ultimately led to an increase in productivity, nutraceuticals have recently attracted a lot of attention in rabbit farms. The objective of the present review is to provide information on recent findings about the advantages of dietary supplementation of nutraceuticals on performance, digestibility, meat quality, antioxidative properties, and immunological response in rabbits.
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... The clinical signs include intense pruritus, itching, pyodermatitis, and skin appears as diffuse erythema, thickening, wrinkling, crust formation, scale production, extensive hyperkeratosis and alopecia around the ear's pinna, nose, lips, face, legs, abdomen, perianal region, and genitalia 3,4 . Selamectin is a semi-synthetic avermectin that acts on ectoparasites similar to Ivermectin but is used only topically. ...
Selamectin Spot-on: A Cure for Scabies in Rabbits
Article
Full-text available
  • Jun 2023
Introduction: Mange in rabbits is a highly contagious zoonotic disease. The disease is caused mainly by Sarcoptes scabiei, Psoroptes cuniculi, Cheyletiella parasitovorax, and Notoedres cati. The most common forms of this disease in rabbits are body and ear mange. Mites infest animals through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated. Case report: An 8-month-old non-descript female rabbit weighing about 700 g was presented to the Teaching Veterinary clinical complex, Mettupalayam, Puducherry, India, with a history of scratching, pruritus and dried crusty lesions on the margins of the ears, snout, around the eyes and legs and patchy hair loss for the past 15 days. Rectal temperature was 38.4°C, heart rate was 210 bpm, respiratory rate was 40 breaths/minute, and the color of the conjunctival mucous membrane was pink. Other signs included inappetence with normal voiding habits and a thin body condition. The collected skin scraping from the affected areas was examined under the microscope with a 10x objective lens, confirming the presence of live motile Sarcoptes spp. Mite species could be determined through the morphological characteristics (adult mites are nearly circular with short legs, and the third and fourth pairs do not project beyond the margin of the body with terminal anus) under the microscopic examination of the skin scrapings. Therefore, 6% selamectin was applied topically on a single spot at the base of the neck. Supportive therapy with multivitamin (vitamin A, D3, E, B12) drops was given orally at 1 ml per day. Conclusion: The rabbit responded well to the treatments within 2 weeks.
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... Vitamin A is available as feed supplements in retinyl acetate or retinyl palmitate (preformed vitamin A) and β-carotene (provitamin A). Vitamin A supplementation could be sufficiently met in rabbits by consuming β-carotene because intestinal mucosa can convert β-carotene to retinol [102]. Strychalski et al. [103] proved that the administration of Aztec marigold flower extract to rabbit feeds increased the gene expression of β-carotene oxygenase 2 (BCO 2 ), which is involved in the metabolism of carotenoids and vitamin A. Moreover, dietary carotenoids increased the yellow pigmentation in rabbit meat, adipose tissue, liver, and milk. ...
Ramifications of Heat Stress on Rabbit Production and Role of Nutraceuticals in Alleviating Its Negative Impacts: An Updated Review
Article
Full-text available
  • Jul 2023
Heat stress has become a widespread concern worldwide, which is a major environmental stress that causes substantial economic loss in the rabbit industry. Compared to other agricultural animals, rabbits are more sensitive to heat stress as they have fewer sweat glands and a thicker coat of fur, increasing the heat dissipation complexity. Thus, heat stress hurts rabbits’ productivity, meat quality, reproductive performance, antioxidative properties, immune responsiveness, intestinal histomorphology, and microbiome. Nutraceuticals include vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, organic acids, fatty acids, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, enzymes, and medicinal plants due to the possible impacts on maintaining common biological situations, strengthening immune response, and preventing illness, which ultimately led to an increase in productivity. Nutraceuticals have recently attracted a lot of attention to alleviate the adverse impacts of heat stress in rabbit farms. The objective of the current review is to provide acquaintance with the recent findings about the impact of heat stress on rabbit productivity and the advantages of dietary supplementation of nutraceuticals in mitigating it.
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... Prophylactic antibiotics and anti-coccidial medications were applied to the water for 3-5 days until weaning. Kits were injected every two weeks with multi-vitamins to mask any shortages and operate against declining immunity arising from weaning (Lebas, 2000). In addition, injectable vitamin E and selenium were also used for fertility enhancement. ...
MC4R gene polymorphisms for classification of growth efficiency and carcass measurements in two rabbit breeds in Egypt
Article
Full-text available
  • Feb 2023
  • S AFR J ANIM SCI
Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R), a protein derived from the MC4R gene, is involved in feed intake, metabolism control, and body weight regulation in humans. The purpose of this research was to explore MC4R polymorphisms alongside metabolic marker changes and their relationship with growth and carcass measurements in rabbits. Using synthetic line V (V-line) and Baladi Black rabbit breeds (60 rabbits per breed), blood samples were collected for DNA extraction and biochemical analysis. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product of MC4R (493 bp) revealed five nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; submitted to GenBank with accession numbers gb|MT832144|, gb|MT832145|, and gb|MT832146|). Four SNPs were characteristic of the V-line breed, and one was characteristic of the Baladi Black. For classification of the defined SNP-dependent groups within and between breeds, a discriminant analysis model correctly classified a percentage of cases with the following predictor variables: 90.8% for body weight at 5-14 weeks of age; 85% for feed consumption, daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio; and 93.3% for carcass measurements (for which hind part weight, liver weight, and liver percentage were the best predictors in both breeds). There were significant differences between and within V-line and Baladi Black breeds in agreement with metabolic biochemical marker profiles and the defined SNPs. The identified SNPs in the MC4R gene and profile of the investigated metabolic biomarkers could be used as candidates and reference for the effective characterization of the two rabbit breeds. This study could therefore facilitate the introduction of marker-assisted selection for growth performance characteristics in rabbits.
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... Suggesting that the use of vitamin A could improve the growth performance and health of rabbits under heat stress. In addition, vitamin D, vitamin K and nicotinic acid also play an important role in regulating heat stress response and preventing high body temperature (129,130), but more researches about these vitamins are needed. ...
Impacts of Heat Stress on Rabbit Immune Function, Endocrine, Blood Biochemical Changes, Antioxidant Capacity and Production Performance, and the Potential Mitigation Strategies of Nutritional Intervention
Article
Full-text available
  • May 2022
Heat stress has become a widespread concern in the world, which is one of the major environmental stressors and causes substantial economic loss in the rabbit industry. Heat stress leads to multiple damages to the health of rabbits, such as organ damage, oxidative stress, disordered endocrine regulation, suppressed immune function and reproductive disorders, ultimately, induces the decreased production performance and increased mortality. Nutritional approaches, including feeding strategies, adjusting feed formula, and supplementing vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, Chinese herbal medicines, and functional active substances to the feed, were reported to mitigate the detrimental effects of heat stress in rabbits. Therefore, elucidating the damage of heat stress to rabbits; proper management and nutritional approaches should be considered to solve the heat stress issue in rabbits. This review highlights the scientific evidence regarding the effects of heat stress on rabbit's immune function, endocrine, blood biochemical changes, antioxidant capacity and production performance, and the potential mitigation strategies of nutritional intervention to alleviate heat stress in rabbits; which could contribute to develop nutritional strategies in relieving heat stress of rabbits.
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Rabbit Skins and Furs: Production, Properties, and Potentiality as Raw Materials for Tanning and Other Industries
Chapter
  • May 2024
Rabbit skin is a by-product of rabbit meat production. For years, rabbit skins have not received adequate attention compared to the skins and hides of other animal species, despite their unique characteristics. In this regard, this chapter aims to discuss all matters related to rabbit skins, furs, and leathers. While rabbit skins have distinctive characteristics in terms of softness, low thickness, and distinguishing appearance, they compete with the skins or hides of other types in the areas of its industrial usages, although they are not used sufficiently. The main reasons for the limited industrial use of rabbit skin are improper skinning, small surface area, and the difficulty of assembling skins into larger pieces. However, with rabbit domestication, the application of correct skinning methods, proper handling of skins, and use of modern tanning processes may lead to an increase in the marketing of rabbit skins.
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