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Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with prebiotics, probiotics, and symbiotics on the reproductive and physiological performance of New Zealand White rabbits, emphasizing teat conformation. Forty-eight rabbits were divided into four groups: control (a), prebiotics (b), probiotics (c), and symbiotics (d). During the first parity, teat conformation varied across dietary treatments, with group d (symbiotic supplementation) generally exhibiting superior teat morphology. Horizontal teat length was highest in group a (4.38±0.35) and lowest in group d (4.02±0.43). The rear teat distance from the floor was longest in group d (1.71±0.25) and shortest in group a (1.41±0.50), with a similar trend observed for front teats. Udder attachment length was greatest in group d (1.08±0.53) and smallest in group a (0.78±0.18). Group d also demonstrated higher values for fore udder width (1.88±0.19), front teat length (0.87±0.25), and rear teat length (0.88±0.11). In the second parity, group d maintained the highest values for horizontal length (4.9±0.19), teat distances to the floor, udder depths, attachment length (1.74±0.68), and udder widths (fore: 2.69±0.34; rear: 2.62±0.46). Teat lengths and diameters were also greatest in group d. By the third parity, symbiotic supplementation continued to enhance teat characteristics, with group d showing the highest values for rear teat distance (2.96±0.32), fore udder width (3.08±0.18), rear udder width (3.05±0.31), and teat diameters (front: 0.99±0.34; rear: 0.63±0.20). Overall, symbiotic supplementation consistently improved teat conformation across all parities compared to other dietary treatments.

Article History

Received: Mar 02, 2025; Accepted: Jul 17, 2025; Published: Sep 30, 2025

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