Effect of insufficient magnesium supply on fertility in rabbits
Kamphues, J.; Meyer, H.
Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift 91(1): 3-8
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0341-6593 PMID: 6368174 Document Number: 234137
Rabbits given a ration deficient in magnesium before and during the first two weeks of pregnancy or during the whole of pregnancy were compared with controls given sufficient Mg. Number of inseminations/pregnancy, progesterone content in plasma of pregnant doe, birth weight and litter size were not affected by Mg deficiency, but with severe hypomagnesaemia at the time of insemination there was a tendency for a reduced litter size. Mg deficiency during the whole of pregnancy led to longer parturition in some rabbits, reduced Mg content in the femur of young does, significantly lower Mg in newborn rabbits and in the placenta and a slightly lower Mg concentration in the serum of newborn rabbits. It is concluded from these results and previous findings in sheep that magnesium supply is not of practical importance in fertility in ruminants under practical feeding conditions.