Thermoregulation In Rabbits

Thermoregulation in rabbits:

Thermoregulation:

The maintenance of constant internal temperature of an organism independent of the temperature of the environment.

Thermoregulation in rabbits:

It is a research based fact that temprature of 21 degree celcius is the comfort zone in rabbits. In case when animals are exposed to high or low temprature then heat may be dessipated or produced in the body to maintain its body temprature. In rabbit thermoregulation can be maintained by:

 Respiration

 Nasal mucous

 Through long ears

Diurnal and seasonal variations in the body heat regulation:

a) Diurnal variation: There is a cyclic variation in the physiology of rabbits due to diurnal variation of climatic temprature(Finzi et al, 1994). The average

If we consider these two facts of temprature variation of air and rabbit body over the whole day then it reveals that there is no instaneous effect of chang in air temprature on body temprature of rabbit. The diurnal variation of temprature in rabbit’s body has very short ranged variation.(0.2-0.3 degre celcius) and this is the proof of high efficiency of regulation of body heat in rabbits(Shafie et al, 1970)

b) Seasional variation: The average body temprature is 39.5 degree celcius, respiratinon and pulse rates are 168 and 235 cpm respectively. In the case of new zealand white rabbit and whitee Eggyption “gizza” rabbit respiration, temprature and pulse rate values are 85 cpm, 39.4 degree celcius and 137 cpm respivtively under summer conditions. Accordin to the report of

For the temprature above 25-30 degre celcius the animal stretch out themselves to loose as many heat as possible by convection, radiation and also step up their ear temprature(Lebas et al 1986). But rabbit can tollerate low temprature more easily as compared to high(Lebas and matheron 1982). In cold weather extra feed must be provided as greater quantity of feed energy is used to maintain body temprature. Water consumption also increased as feed intake increases. Reduction in the supply of water in winter season will results in the reduction of performance. In some breeds such as Californian, if the fur on an adult is shaved and than exposed to the cold, the black fur is grown, temporarily, in the area where normally white fur is present. There might be possibility that more feeding takes place as a result of sudden drop in temprature, however this may results in an carbohydrate overload that is proliferation of pathogens in gut and also with the production of lethal