The rabbit as a model and farm animal at the Research Institute for Animal Production Nitra: A review

Abstract

Use of the rabbit as a model and farm animals builds on the rich farming tradition in Slovakia. It is associated with the name of Jaroslav Zelnik, who put down the foundations for zootechnical and biological research of the rabbit at the early seventies of the 20th century. He built and managed the Department of Experimental Biology and Genetics, which had its own experimental farm for rabbit breeding. In the beginning of the existence of this department, the research program was focused mostly on the use of the rabbit as productive animals. The performance parameters of individual breeds were evaluated, the effects of inbreeding and hybridization on production abilities of rabbits were investigated and first rabbit broiler populations were created. Later, research activities were expanded to include physiological, immunological and behavioral experiments. At the turn of the eighties and nineties, genomic approaches and methods of biotechnology, especially in the area of reproduction, viability and genetic manipulations began to be used. In recent time, farming rooms have been reconstructed to meet the actual requirements of animal welfare. Concomitantly, the department has got a new laboratory equipment allowing experiments performed in a larger range of biological goals.