Animal management
Twenty-five female New Zealand white rabbits at late gestation
(gestational age: 28 days, weight: 3.5-3.9 kg; Japan SLC, Hamamatsu,
Japan) were used in this study. The rabbits had free access to standard
feed and water during a 7-day adaptation period before the experiment.
Sixteen male New Zealand white rabbits (weight: 2.6-2.8 kg; Japan SLC,
Hamamatsu, Japan) were used as blood donors. Cross-matching between the
donor and transfused rabbit was performed to avoid transfusion of
incompatible blood types, with strict adherence to the ARRIVE guidelines
during the procedure22.