Behavioral and performance effects on female offspring from rabbit does housed in enriched cages during gestation and lactation

Abstract

In mammals, intrauterine experiences and early-life conditions can influence future behaviors. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of enriched and conventional cages for rabbit does during gestation and lactation on the behavior and performance of the first generation of offspring. A 2 × 2 factorial experimental design was used, with 16 White New Zealand does. During the last two thirds of gestation and lactation (birth to day 35), the does were housed individually in either enriched or conventional cages, resulting in the following four treatments: enriched-enriched (E-E), enriched-conventional (E-C), conventional-enriched (C-E), and conventional-conventional (C-C). Does entered the study after pregnancy confirmation (10 days after mating). Close to partum, on the 28th day of gestation, they were transferred to the cages assigned for their respective treatment group. Conventional cages measured 80x60x40 cm, while enriched cages were eight times larger, with hiding areas, resting platforms, space to stand, and a sawdust box. After weaning on day 35, the offspring were transferred to conventional cages. At 90 days of age, two females from each litter were randomly selected for behavioral tests (n = 32): open field, novel object, novel object recognition, and social interactions. The observed behaviors were analyzed using mixed linear regression to assess the effects of the treatments. Offspring from does housed in enriched cages during gestation had a reduced latency to interact with the object in the novel object recognition test compared to offspring from does housed in conventional cages during gestation; however, no other effects were seen in the behaviours measured in the other tests. Offspring of does housed in enriched environments during lactation exhibited a higher frequency of joy jumps. They also interacted less with the object compared to the conventional reared group. Regarding performance, offspring reared in the enriched cages weighed more at weaning compared to offspring reared in conventional cages in any phase. However, the number of weaned offspring was lower in the group exposed to environmental enrichment during gestation, compared to those of the conventional group. This study highlights the importance of the environment during gestation and lactation for does, showing that these stages significantly influence the behavior and performance of the offspring. While enriched housing during pregnancy positively influenced some behaviors of the offspring, it appeared to have a negative effect on the number of kittens weaned. After birth, environmental enrichment impacted exploration, curiosity, and weight gain.