EFFECT OF DIETARY PROTIEN LEVEL ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF NEW-ZEALAND WHITE RABBIT DOES EXPOSED TO SHORT FEED RESTRICTION PERIOD

This shady aimed to investigate the effect of three levels of dietary protein on reproductive performance of rabbit does exposed to short feed restriction period before the first insemination. Thirty NZW rabbit does, average live body weight of 23479 and about 17 weeks of age, were used. All does were fed restrictively 75% of ad‌IrbiWm for 15 days from 17 to 19 weeks of age. The rabbit does were fed a basal diet containing 16.4% crude protein (0') and 2510 DE Kcal./Kg diet. Three diets were formulated to provide 16.4, 17.6 or 18.9% CP, respectively. At the beginning of 20 weeks of age rabbit does (10 does per level) were randomly assigned to one of the three experimental diets (low, medium or high 0%). At mid pregnancy, three does from each CP level were slaughtered to evaluate genital weight and histcpattiolegical studies. Besides, blood samples were also collected to determine some hematological and hormonal parameters. Results showed that conception rate and the number of services per conception were improved in the medium CP level group compared with the other levels. The values of fitter are and weight at tell were the highest In the high CP level. The RBCs counts were increased by feeding low CP level. The LH and FSH concentrations increased, whi'e 1-3 decreased in medium ce level. The histopathologIcal observations indicated that there were more primary and growing follicles near the outer surface in Urea alboginea in ovaries of rabbit does fed medium CP level. Also, the uterine well of this group had gravid endarnetrium with rich blood vascular supply in serosal layer. It Is concluded that before mating, rabbit does fed diet with 17.6% CP flushing post short feed restriction improved sexual maturity, ovarian activity and decreased fetal mortality.