Vol. 43, No. 4, 1999
GROWTH AND REPRODUCTIVE ABILITY OF MALE RABBITS AFTER CADMIUM INTAKE FROM DIET
Toman, R., Massányi, P., Kováčik, J.
Slovak University of Agriculture
Department of Physiology and Anatomy of Farm Animals
Tr. A. Hlinku 2
949 76 Nitra
The Slovak Republic
Summary
The effects of cadmium applied per os on the rabbit growth and reproduction were studied. The metal was applied to male rabbits in a daily dose of 1 mg Cd2+.kg-1 during 5 months. The animals were regularly weighed and after 5 months mated with control females. After the birth of offspring, their number and weight were measured.
The average body weight was similar in both groups of rabbits after 22 weeks of experiment and attained 3.5 kg on average. The average daily body weight gain of the experimental animals was 17.07 g and of the control rabbits only 14.69 g after 22 weeks of cadmium administration. The results of mating with healthy females showed that only three out of five females were pregnant and gave birth to the offspring. Born offspring were without any malformations and their number per litter was lower in the experimental group than that of the controls. The live weights of the offspring were higher in the experimental group on the 1st day. Their live weights on the 21st and 42nd days were higher in the control group.
Key words: cadmium; growth; rabbits; reproduction
References
Folia Veterinaria / 1999