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.