Effect of maternal lysine supplementation on the performance of growing rabbits. Preliminary results

The experiment studied the effect of dietary lysine supplementation to rabbit does on the performance and on meat’s protein and lysine content of their offspring. Half of the does (n=43) fed control diet (C; Lys: 0.68%), while the other half a lysine supplemented diet (L; Lys: 0.80%) from 3 days before AI until weaning. After kindling, half of the litters of C does were put under C does, while the other half under L does. The same procedure was followed for offspring of L does. After weaning, rabbits fed the same diet (0.68% Lys). Does’ dietary treatment significantly affected the weaning weight, however, only lysine supplementation during suckling age had negative effect (340 vs 315g for C and L does, respectively; P<0.01). The kit’s milk intake, measured at 3rd and 7th day of age, nursed by L does was significantly lower. Other productive and carcass traits did not differ significantly.