Rabbit livestock is especially important in the Mediterranean area and in the semi-arid zones of Africa, Asia, and America, representing a valuable alternative source of good animal protein of high quality (low fat and low cholesterol). However, rabbit husbandry should adapt to be a competitive and sustainable sector. In addition, it must maintain a balance between rabbit welfare, customer demands, and breeder requirements. Then, improvement in breeding systems is needed and may involve avoiding hormones and antibiotics in rabbit management; enhancing the efficiency of reproductive procedures such as artificial insemination systems and freezing of semen and embryos; extending the productive lifespan of does; improving genetic selection systems; and adjusting nutritional systems to optimize the physiological status of animals and the immune response. This Special Issue concerns all these challenges in increasing rabbit productivity and sustainability.

This book is included in DOAB.