Serum chemistry and haematology values in commercial rabbits : preliminary data from industrial farms in Northern Italy

The aim of this preliminary study was to establish reference normal ranges of hematological and biochemical parameters in rabbits. A total of 8 industrial farms, located in Brescia, Milano and Bergamo Provinces (Northern Italy), were monitored during a 4-year period (2004-2007). Farms showed some variability as regards size, management and production parameters. Blood samples, collected from post weaning (30-45 days old) and growing (57-65 days old) rabbits, as well as restocking females before pregnancy (nulliparous), breeders at first pregnancy (primiparous), lactating does and breeders at culling (multiparous), were delivered within three hours to the laboratory. The following analyses were performed on serum samples: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), urea, Phosphorus (Pi), creatine kinase (CK), lysozyme, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatinine. Blood samples were tested for: white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, red blood cells (RBC), platelets (PLT), hemoglobin (Hg), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean concentration of hemoglobin in the corpuscular volume (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Results indicate that hematological and biochemical data are similar to those described in laboratory rabbits. In particular, the age-dependent trend of values was in agreement with previous observations. However, in does, a lower level of hemoglobin and lymphocyte numbers and a higher number of neutrophils and monocytes was observed, probably due to intensive production and exploitation. On the whole, this may indicate chronic stress under seemingly normal clinical conditions. LDH and CK values particularly differed from those described for laboratory rabbits. High urea and creatinine values in lactating does could be traced back to concurrent E. cuniculi infection.