Selected haematological and biochemical indicators in different breeds of rabbits

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate differences in haematological and biochemical indicators in young rabbits of breeds embedded in the Czech genetic resources. Seven breeds (Moravian Blue, Czech Spotted, Czech Solver, Czech White, Czech Red, Moravian White of Brown Eyes and Czech Black Guard Hairs) represented by six males of each breed were used. Weaned rabbits were fattened under identical conditions till the age of 91 days. Haematological values were measured by using automatic analyzer; biochemical indicators were determined photometrically. From the haematological indicators, mean cell volume was significantly (P≤ 0.05) higher in Czech Black Guard Hairs (83.00 fl) and the lowest (73.75 fl) in Czech Red. Significantly higher (P ≤0.05) concentration of haemoglobin (143.3 g·l-1) was recorded in Czech Spotted; values of 125.6 and 123.4 g·l-1were found in Czech White and Czech Black Guard Hairs, respectively. From the biochemical indicators, cholesterol and triacylglycerols significantly differed in rabbit breeds. Significantly (P≤ 0.05)higher level of cholesterol (3.16 mmol·l-1) was determined in Moravian Blue, decreasing with body size in other breeds. Significant correlations of 0.390 were determined between live weight and serum cholesterol content. Significantly different (P≤ 0.05) content of triacylglycerols was found in Czech White and Moravian White of Brown Eyes (1.30 vs. 0.75 mmol·l-1). Our results showed for the first time haematological and biochemical indicators in rabbits from Czech genetic resources and the results revealed that some of these variables could be affected by the rabbit genotype.