Maternal microbiota in relation to mortality, culling, and offspring survival in rabbits.

ABSTRACT: Mortality and culling in rabbits, particularly among breeding does and their offspring, present significant challenges by reducing longevity, productivity, and profitability. This study investigates whether fecal microbiota composition varies depending on whether the female will experience death, culling, or remain healthy and how it correlates with the proximity of the event. Additionally, it examines whether disruptions in the maternal microbiota, transferred naturally to offspring, is associated with their survival. To do so, does were categorized based on their fate: death (D, deceased naturally during productive lifespan), culled for reproductive reasons (CR), or healthy controls (C). Soft fecal samples were collected for V3-V4 16S rRNA sequencing to assess microbial diversity and com

SUBMITTER: Biada I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12863950 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature