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Environmental heat stress in rabbits: implications and ameliorations

Research Authors
Abioja Monsuru Oladimeji, Temitope Gloria Johnson, Khaled Metwally, Mohamed Farghly, Khalid Mohamed Mahrose
Research Abstract

Profitable production of rabbit meat requires comfortable environment for expression of good quality traits embedded in the genetic components of rabbits. One of the major problems facing rabbit production is heat stress, especially in hot regions of the world. This is further aggravated by global warming being experienced as a result of climate change. Rabbits have no or few sweat glands, complicating the problem of heat dissipation, thereby predisposing the animals to heat stress (HS). Heat stress adversely affect welfare and adaptation, feed consumption and utilization, immunity and health status, growth, reproduction, and milk production in rabbits. Rabbits are homoeothermic animals. They should be capable of body temperature regulation within a narrow range. Thermoregulation is extremely poor in rabbits because of lack of sweat glands. Rabbits are highly sensitive to high ambient temperature. The

Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
International Journal of Biometeorology
Research Member
Research Publisher
33456789)
Research Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-021-02191-0
Research Year
2021
Research Pages
1-11