HOW CAN RABBIT RESEARCH IN THE LABORATORY CONTRIBUTE TO CUNICULTURE ON THE FARM

Abstract

Rabbit research coming from the laboratory can have a profound impact on Cuniculture, performed on the farm, and viceversa.  This bi-directional communication is scarce at present but, by finding issues of common interest, an effective interaction between these two niches can be promoted. I will present five examples from Reproductive Neuroendocrinology where I have identified evidence that research in one niche has had (or can have) an impact on the other one, specifically: 1) distinguishing between pregnancy and pseudopregnancy; 2) preventing death of kits due to deterioration of the maternal nest and/or loss of maternal behavior; 3) facilitating the management of groups of does mated according to the “biostimulation†method; 4) increasing the success of the “biostimulation†method; 5) improving the welfare of rabbits housed in the laboratory and on the farm.  Promoting communication between “the lab and the farm†will lead to new ways of exploring key scientific questions and to better management practices on the farm.