Raufutter als Alleinfutter für Kaninchen – Auswirkungen auf das Fettsäurenmuster des FleischesJanina S.MeierauthorFlorianLeiberauthorBettinaBurgerauthorHans-RudolfWettsteinauthorJean-MichelHattauthorMarcusClaussauthorMichaelKreuzerauthorFour groups of eight New Zealand hybrid rabbits were fed ryegrass meal only, alfalfa meal only, ryegrass and oats 1:1, or alfalfa and oats 1:1. Diets were offered ad libitum in pelleted form from 5-30 weeks of age, when they were slaughtered. Intramuscular fatty acid profiles were determined in the Musculus quadriceps of the left hindleg. Feed intake was not statistically different between the four groups, nor was carcass weight. The main effect of the forage-only diets on the fatty acid profiles was a decrease of monounsaturated and an increase of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) proportions. Within PUFA, the n-3 fatty acids more than doubled with forage-only compared to forage-oats diets, while the n-6 fatty acids slightly decreased. In general, the proportion of n-3 fatty acids in intramuscular fat of forage-only fed rabbits was extraordinarily high compared to any other meat of agricultural origin. The results demonstrate a specific advantage of roughage-based diets in the nutrition of productive herbivores, which is also known for ruminants. Food security, food quality and human health Production systems Feeding and growth2009Conference paper, poster, etc.