Effect of Cage Type on Fecal Corticosterone Concentration in Buck Rabbits During the Reproductive Cycle

Fecal corticosterone concentration (FCC) was measured in 14 buck rabbits individually housed in standard dimension cages (SC) or in bigger cages (BC, with a volume more than double than that of SC and equipped with a plastic foot mat) during four consecutive reproductive cycles. Cage type and reproductive phase (estrus synchronization of doe rabbits, artificial insemination, partum, pre-weaning and post-weaning) were not statistically significant, but tendentially affected FCCs (0.05 < p < 0.10). Buck rabbits housed in SC showed higher FCCs than those housed in BC (27.42 pg g-1 dried feces and 25.57 pg g-1, respectively; SEM: 2.952). The highest FCC values were detected at artificial insemination (BC: 27.91 pg g-1; SC: 30.45 pg g-1; SEM: 3.520), highlighting the phase of semen collection could be one of the most critical moments for buck rabbits, although further investigations are needed. These preliminary results suggest that measurement of FCC could be used as an indicator of chronic stress in buck rabbits