PENINGKATAN PENGETAHUAN PETERNAK TERHADAP PENYAKIT DAN KEBUNTINGAN KELINCI DI KELOMPOK TERNAK SUMBER REJEKI KOTA KEDIRI

Rabbits are easily animal bred in Indonesia. The potential for meat production and reproduction very good. Rabbits can give birth 6-8 times a year with a gestation period of approximately 30 days. Each time giving birth can produced until 8 kit. However, this potential is constrained by the high mortality rate and the decline in the quality of adult rabbit production. Most of the deaths occurred when the rabbit was still young and had not yet been weaned, some occurred when the rabbit was an adult. Sometimes the mated mother also does not give birth, after checking it turns out that the mate was unsuccessful or failed to conceive. The cause of this problem is the low knowledge of breeders about rabbit diseases and the success of pregnancy after mating. The solution that can be given is to provide counseling about the characteristics of sick rabbits, the symptoms experienced and their handling. Farmers are taught how to hold and inject sick rabbits. The second solution is to provide training on how to mate rabbits until they are successful and detect pregnancy rabbits after 12-14 days of mating. So breeders do not need to wait 30 days for re-breeding. The method used is counseling, pretest and post test, mentoring and training for group members and final evaluation. The results of this activity indicate an increase in the knowledge and ability of farmers in the Sumber Rejeki group in Kediri City regarding disease handling and detection of pregnant rabbits.Kelinci merupakan hewan ternak yang mudah dikembangbiakkan di Indonesia. Potensi produksi daging dan reproduksi anak yang dihasilkan sangat baik. Kelinci mampu melahirkan sebanyak 6 – 8 kali dalam setahun dengan lama kebuntingan kurang lebih 30 hari. Setiap kali melahirkan jumlah anak yang dihasilkan bisa mencapai 8 ekor per induk. Namun potensi ini terkendala dengan banyaknya angka kematian dan penurunan kualitas produksi kelinci dewasa. Kematian banyak terjadi ketika kelinci masih kecil dan belum lepas sapih sebagian terjadi ketika kelinci sudah dewasa. Kadang induk yang sudah dikawinkan juga tidak kunjung melahirkan, setelah dicek ternyata perkawinan tidak berhasil atau gagal bunting. Penyebab masalah ini adalah rendahnya pengetahuan peternak terhadap penyakit kelinci dan keberhasilan bunting pasca dikawinkan. Solusi yang dapat diberikan adalah dengan memberikan penyuluhan mengenai ciri ciri ternak sakit, gejala yang dialami dan penangannnya. Peternak diajari cara memegang dan menyuntik kelinci yang sakit. Solusi kedua adalah dengan memberikan pelatihan mengenai cara mengawinkan kelinci sampai berhasil dan mendeteksi kebuntingan kelinci setelah 12 – 14 hari dikawinkan. Sehingga peternak tidak perlu menunggu 30 hari lamanya untuk dikawinkan ulang. Metode yang digunakan dalam kegiatan ini adalah penyuluhan, adanya pre test dan post test, pendampingan dan pelatihan pada anggota kelompok dan evaluasi akhir. Hasil kegiatan ini menunjukkan peningkatan pengetahuan dan kemampuan peternak di kelompok ternak Sumber Rejeki Kota Kediri terkait penanganan penyakit dan deteksi kelinci bunting. Kegiatan ini penting untuk meningkatkan kesejahteraan peternak kelinci dikemudian hari.

Three-Week-Old Rabbit Ventricular Cardiomyocytes as a Novel System to Study Cardiac Excitation and EC Coupling

Cardiac arrhythmias significantly contribute to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The rabbit heart serves as an accepted model system for studying cardiac cell excitation and arrhythmogenicity. Accordingly, primary cultures of adult rabbit ventricular cardiomyocytes serve as a preferable model to study molecular mechanisms of human cardiac excitation. However, the use of adult rabbit cardiomyocytes is often regarded as excessively costly. Therefore, we developed and characterized a novel low-cost rabbit cardiomyocyte model, namely, 3-week-old ventricular cardiomyocytes (3wRbCMs). Ventricular myocytes were isolated from whole ventricles of 3-week-old New Zealand White rabbits of both sexes by standard enzymatic techniques. Using wheat germ agglutinin, we found a clear T-tubule structure in acutely isolated 3wRbCMs. Cells were adenovirally infected (multiplicity of infection of 10) to express Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) and cultured for 48 h. The cells showed action potential duration (APD90 = 253 ± 24 ms) and calcium transients similar to adult rabbit cardiomyocytes. Freshly isolated and 48-h-old-cultured cells expressed critical ion channel proteins: calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 C (Cavα1c), sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 5 (Nav1.5), potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily D member 3 (Kv4.3), and subfamily A member 4 (Kv1.4), and also subfamily H member 2 (RERG. Kv11.1), KvLQT1 (K7.1) protein and inward-rectifier potassium channel (Kir2.1). The cells displayed an appropriate electrophysiological phenotype, including fast sodium current (INa), transient outward potassium current (Ito), L-type calcium channel peak current (ICa,L), rapid and slow components of the delayed rectifier potassium current (IKr and IKs), and inward rectifier (IK1). Although expression of the channel proteins and some currents decreased during the 48 h of culturing, we conclude that 3wRbCMs are a new, low-cost alternative to the adult-rabbit-cardiomyocytes system, which allows the investigation of molecular mechanisms of cardiac excitation on morphological, biochemical, genetic, physiological, and biophysical levels.

Diverse methanogens, bacteria and tannase genes in the feces of the endangered volcano rabbit (Romerolagus diazi)

Background The volcano rabbit is the smallest lagomorph in Mexico, it is monotypic and endemic to the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. It is classified as endangered by Mexican legislation and as critically endangered by the IUCN, in the Red List. Romerolagus diazi consumes large amounts of grasses, seedlings, shrubs, and trees. Pines and oaks contain tannins that can be toxic to the organisms which consume them. The volcano rabbit microbiota may be rich in bacteria capable of degrading fiber and phenolic compounds. Methods We obtained the fecal microbiome of three adults and one young rabbit collected in Coajomulco, Morelos, Mexico. Taxonomic assignments and gene annotation revealed the possible roles of different bacteria in the rabbit gut. We searched for sequences encoding tannase enzymes and enzymes associated with digestion of plant fibers such as cellulose and hemicellulose. Results The most representative phyla within the Bacteria domain were: Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria for the young rabbit sample (S1) and adult rabbit sample (S2), which was the only sample not confirmed by sequencing to correspond to the volcano rabbit. Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Cyanobacteria were found in adult rabbit samples S3 and S4. The most abundant phylum within the Archaea domain was Euryarchaeota. The most abundant genera of the Bacteria domain were Lachnoclostridium (Firmicutes) and Acinetobacter (Proteobacteria), while Methanosarcina predominated from the Archaea. In addition, the potential functions of metagenomic sequences were identified, which include carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. We obtained genes encoding enzymes for plant fiber degradation such as endo 1,4 β-xylanases, arabinofuranosidases, endoglucanases and β-glucosidases. We also found 18 bacterial tannase sequences.

Mechanoelectric coupling and arrhythmogenesis in cardiomyocytes contracting under mechanical afterload in a 3D viscoelastic hydrogel

The heart pumps blood against the mechanical afterload from arterial resistance, and increased afterload may alter cardiac electrophysiology and contribute to life-threatening arrhythmias. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying mechanoelectric coupling in cardiomyocytes remain unclear. We developed an innovative patch-clamp-in-gel technology to embed cardiomyocytes in a three-dimensional (3D) viscoelastic hydrogel that imposes an afterload during regular myocyte contraction. Here, we investigated how afterload affects action potentials, ionic currents, intracellular Ca2+ transients, and cell contraction of adult rabbit ventricular cardiomyocytes. We found that afterload prolonged action potential duration (APD), increased transient outward K+ current, decreased inward rectifier K+ current, and increased L-type Ca2+ current. Increased Ca2+ entry caused enhanced Ca2+ transients and contractility. Moreover, elevated afterload led to discordant alternans in APD and Ca2+ transient. Ca2+ alternans persisted under action potential clamp, indicating that the alternans was Ca2+ dependent. Furthermore, all these afterload effects were significantly attenuated by inhibiting nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1). Taken together, our data reveal a mechano-chemo-electrotransduction (MCET) mechanism that acutely transduces afterload through NOS1–nitric oxide signaling to modulate the action potential, Ca2+ transient, and contractility. The MCET pathway provides a feedback loop in excitation–Ca2+ signaling–contraction coupling, enabling autoregulation of contractility in cardiomyocytes in response to afterload. This MCET mechanism is integral to the individual cardiomyocyte (and thus the heart) to intrinsically enhance its contractility in response to the load against which it has to do work. While this MCET is largely compensatory for physiological load changes, it may also increase susceptibility to arrhythmias under excessive pathological loading.

Morphological changes and functional circRNAs screening of rabbit skeletal muscle development

Background The temporal expression pattern of circular RNAs (circRNAs) across developmental stages is essential for skeletal muscle growth and functional analysis. However, there are few analyses on the potential functions of circRNAs in rabbit skeletal muscle development. Results Initially, the paraffin sections showed extremely significant differences in the diameter, number, area and density of skeletal muscle fibers of the fetus, child, adult rabbit hind legs (P < 0.01). Then, RNA-seq libraries of these three stages were constructed. A total of 481 differentially expressed circRNAs (DE-circRNAs) and 5,658 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Subsequently, DE-circRNAs, whose host genes were DEGs or non-DEGs, were analyzed by GO respectively. In the fetus vs. child group, up-regulated DE-circRNAs (whose host genes were DEGs) were related to muscle fiber structure, and down-regulated ones were related to mitosis. The up-regulated DE-circRNAs (whose host genes were non-DEGs) were involved in enzyme activity, methylation and glycosylation, and the down-regulated ones were involved in mitosis and catabolism. In the fetus vs. adult group, the up-regulated DE-circRNAs (whose host genes were DEGs) were related to skeletal muscle basic structure, and the down-regulated ones were also associated with cell proliferation. But the up-regulated DE-circRNAs (whose host genes were non-DEGs) were connected with regulation of histone ubiquitination, chromatin and organelles. The down-regulated DE-circRNAs were connected with the catabolism processes. In addition, novel_circ_0022663 and novel_circ_0005489, which might have coding potential, and novel_circ_0004210 and novel_circ_0001669, which might have miRNA sponge capability, were screened out. Conclusions In this study, hind leg muscles of fetus, child and adult rabbits were collected for paraffin section and RNA-seq to observe the structural changes of skeletal muscle and obtain circRNA expression profiles at different stages. These data provided a catalog of circRNAs related to muscle development in New Zealand rabbits, allowing us to better understand the functional transitions in mammalian muscle development.

Sample preparation strategy for the detection of steroid-like compounds using MALDI mass spectrometry imaging: pulmonary distribution of budesonide as a case study

Corticosteroids as budesonide can be effective in reducing topic inflammation processes in different organs. Therapeutic use of budesonide in respiratory diseases, like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and allergic rhinitis is well known. However, the pulmonary distribution of budesonide is not well understood, mainly due to the difficulties in tracing the molecule in lung samples without the addition of a label. In this paper, we present a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging protocol that can be used to visualize the pulmonary distribution of budesonide administered to a surfactant-depleted adult rabbit. Considering that budesonide is not easily ionized by MALDI, we developed an on-tissue derivatization method with Girard’s reagent P followed by ferulic acid deposition as MALDI matrix. Interestingly, this sample preparation protocol results as a very effective strategy to raise the sensitivity towards not only budesonide but also other corticosteroids, allowing us to track its distribution and quantify the drug inside lung samples. Graphical abstract

Tissue Antioxidant Status and Lipid Peroxidation Are Related to Dietary Intake of n-3 Polyunsaturated Acids: A Rabbit Model

Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) metabolism and tissue distribution is modulated by the oxidation of these molecules. This research aimed to investigate the implication of dietary n-3 PUFA supplementation (precursor and long-chain PUFA) on the PUFA profile and oxidative status of the liver, testis, and brain of adult rabbit bucks. Twenty New Zealand White rabbit bucks were divided into four experimental groups (n = 5 per group) and were fed different diets for 110 days: control (CNT), standard diet containing 50 mg/kg alpha-tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E); CNT+, standard diet + 200 mg/kg vitamin E; FLAX, standard diet + 10% flaxseed + 200 mg/kg vitamin E; or FISH, standard diet + 3.5% fish oil + 200 mg/kg vitamin E. Antioxidants (enzymatic and non-enzymatic), oxidative status (malondialdehyde and isoprostanoids), and n-3 and n-6 PUFAs of tissues were analysed. A chain mechanism of oxidant/antioxidant molecules, which largely depended on the particular PUFA composition, was delineated in the different organs. The liver showed an oxidant/antioxidant profile and lipid pathways widely modulated by PUFA and vitamin E administration; on the other hand, the testis’ oxidative profile rather than its lipid profile seemed to be particularly affected, an outcome opposite to that of the brain (modulation operated by dietary PUFA).

A 65-Day Fumonisin B Exposure at High Dietary Levels Has Negligible Effects on the Testicular and Spermatological Parameters of Adult Rabbit Bucks

A 65-day study was undertaken to test the effects of two doses (10 and 20 mg/kg) of dietary fumonisin Bs (FB) on the rabbit male reproduction system. Body and testicular weight was not affected by the intoxication, neither the fatty acid composition of the testicular total phospholipids; the testis histological analysis failed to reveal any toxic effect. The FBs increased the testicular concentration and activity of reduced glutathione and glutathione peroxidase and decreased initial phase lipid peroxidation (conjugated dienes and trienes) in a dose dependent manner. Sperm morphology and chromatin condensation were monitored on Feulgen-stained smears. No significant differences were observed between the treatment groups and between sampling time points. The live cell ratio in the sperm (as assessed with flow cytometry) was not different among groups at any of the five sampling timepoints and was also identical within groups. Similarly, the spermatozoa membrane lipid profile was also identical in all three groups after the total intoxication period. In summary, it was demonstrated that FBs in an unrealistic and unjustified high dose still do not exert any drastic harmful effect on the leporine, male reproduction system, meanwhile slightly augmenting testicular antioxidant response.

Preparation of rabbit kidney immortalized cell culture

Preparation of immortalized cell lines obtained from organs and tissues of farm animals is an essential area of biotechnology. The paper presents results of continuous (immortalized) cell line preparation from a primary trypsinized cell culture of an adult rabbit kidney. Cytomorphologic analysis and karyotyping were performed during the process of subcultivation in the cell culture at passages 1, 3, 24, 31, 38, 56, 66, 75, 86, 101. Dynamics of spontaneous continuous cell line formation during long-term serial passaging was examined using standard nutrient media and fetal serum. Contrary to the known cell lines of rabbit origin (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.), immortalization was not accompanied with enhanced cell production and cell size reduction. The prepared continuous cell line in its adhesive phase was up to 200 µm in size and its productivity was about 7,000 cells/cm2. Significant differences (compared to the known cell lines) in the karyotype were detected during passaging. The formed genotype was found to be near-tetrapioid when the CCL cultural properties were stabilized at passages 66–101. The known cell lines – rabbit kidney (RK-13) and rabbit cornea (SIRC) – can be characterized as pseudotriploid basing on their karyotype. This culture demonstrated low sensitivity to viruses – causative agents of rabbit diseases and sensitivity to heterologous porcine and bovine viruses.

Management, blood and reproductive parameters of rabbits reared in Imo State

The management, haematological, serum biochemical and reproductive parameters of rabbits reared in the 3 zones (Okigwe, Orlu and Owerri) of Imo State were investigated. Data for this study were collected through questionnaire, on-the-farm assessment and fluid sample (blood and semen) from the rabbits. The hutch/cage type of housing is the most prevalent in Imo State, constituting 73.58 %. Most rabbit farmers in Imo State (45.28 %) combine concentrate and forage in rabbit feeding, 47.17 % of the rabbit house/environment were fairly clean, 30.19 % dirty and 22.64 % were clean. Rabbits with ages ranging from 5 – 8 months recorded average live weight of 1.91 kg, while annual average kindling and litter size of rabbit does reared in Imo State were 5.67 and 7.43, respectively; with average litter survival rate of 60.16 % between parturition and weaning. Haematological analysis of the adult rabbits recorded 27.80 %, 9.56 g/dl and 3.40 x 106/ml in packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count, respectively, which were lower than normal reference values. Total serum protein, globulin and urea values were lower than normal reference values recording 4.44 g/dl, 1.57 g/dl and 16.56 mg/dl, respectively. Semen parameters obtained from adult rabbit bucks were inferior to semen parameters of adult rabbit bucks reared in similar geographical locations and environment, but under standard management practices. This study was therefore designed to assess the level of management, blood and reproductive parameters of rabbits in Imo State.