Efecto del orden de parto y de la edad al destete de la camada sobre la productividad y el balance energetico en conejas reproductoras

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of doe parity order and litter weaning age on reproductive performance and body energy balance of rabbit does from one kindling to the following. To this aim, 138 lactating does of 3 parity orders (first, second and third kindling: P1, P2 and P3) were remated 12 days after kindling. Their litters were weaned at 21, 26 and 32 d of age according to a bi-factorial experimental design (3 parity orders by 3 weaning ages). Thirty does at initial kindling and 69 pregnant does at final kindling were slaughtered to determine body tissue and energy balance. When increasing parity order, milk production, feed and digestible energy intake during lactation increased linearly while body energy deficit decreased (from -20.5% of the initial content in P1 does to -9.2% in P3 does). When weaning age was decreased from 32 to 21 d, body energy deficit decreased (-19.4% to -8.0%). Significant interactions between parity order and weaning age were recorded on energy balance and reproductive performance. According to our results, multiparous does showed a lower but still relevant energy deficit than primiparous does. Early weaning permitted to reduce body energy deficit, especially at lower parity orders.