Performance, health, bacterial metabolites and intestinal histomorphology in does and growing rabbits fed diets with increasing lignocellulose-to-cellulose proportions.

Adequate levels of dietary fibre can reduce the risk of intestinal health disorders in rabbits after weaning. Therefore, it was the aim of the study to investigate the impact of different lignocellulose and cellulose addition to rabbits' diets on performance and intestinal traits in lactating does and weaned rabbits. A total of 60 rabbit does (4.

Discharge Driven Nitrogen Dynamics in a Mesoscale River Basin As Constrained by Stable Isotope Patterns.

Nitrate loads and corresponding dual-isotope signatures were used to evaluate large scale N dynamics and trends in a river catchment with a strong anthropogenic gradient (forest conservation areas in mountain regions, and intensive agriculturally used lowlands). The Bode River catchment with an area of 3200 km(2) in the Harz Mountains and central German lowlands was investigated by a two years monitoring program including 133 water sampling points each representing a subcatchment. Based on discharge data either observed or simulated by the mesoscale hydrological model (mHM) a load based interpretation of hydrochemical and isotope data was conducted.

Regional nitrogen dynamics in the TERENO Bode River catchment, Germany, as constrained by stable isotope patterns.

Interactions between hydrological characteristics and microbial activities affect the isotopic composition of dissolved nitrate in surface water. Nitrogen and oxygen isotopic signatures of riverine nitrate in 133 sampling locations distributed over the Bode River catchment in the Harz Mountains, Germany, were used to identify nitrate sources and transformation processes. An annual monitoring programme consisting of seasonal sampling campaigns in spring, summer and autumn was conducted.

Investigation of sewer exfiltration using integral pumping tests and wastewater indicators.

Leaky sewers affect urban groundwater by the exfiltration of untreated wastewater. However, the impact of sewer exfiltration on the groundwater is poorly understood. Most studies on sewer exfiltration focus on water exfiltration, but not on the impact on groundwater quality.

The successful double cryopreservation of rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) semen in large volume using the directional freezing technique with reduced concentration of cryoprotectant.

Using directional freezing, our objective was to cryopreserve rabbit semen and achieve fertility that was equal or higher than that achieved with conventional freezing. The working hypothesis was that controlling the ice-front propagation would allow reduction of DMSO concentration to <1M, in addition to the capability to freeze large volumes (2-10 mL). Moreover, single and double freezing of semen were used to demonstrate the abbreviated mechanical stress imparted by directional freezing.