A summary of the studies using the rabbit model
| Author | Title | NEC protocol | Gestational age (days) | Area of study |
| Gupta et al37 | Occurrence of necrotizing enterocolitis may be dependent on patterns of bacterial adherence and intestinal colonization: studies in caco-2 tissue culture and weanling rabbit model | Adherent E. coli isolates, from necrotizing enterocolitis cases, were able to cause pathologic changes typical of necrotizing enterocolitis in a weanling rabbit ileal loop model | No age specification | The role of intestinal microbial ecology in the pathophysiology of necrotizing enterocolitis |
| Garston et al38 | The role of intraluminal tension and pH in the development of necrotizing enterocolitis: an animal model | A closed intestinal loop, 20 cm distal to the cecum was created. A solution containing faty acids at pH 3 or 5 were infused into the loop at a pressure of 10 or 40 mm Hg | 6- to 8- weeks old | Relative effects of pH and intraluminal tension on colonic mucosa |
| Bozeman et al21 | An animal model of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm rabbits | Pups were intestinally blocked to stimulate abdominal distention. Pups were then bolus fed 120 kcal/kg/day with kitten milk replacer mixed with Enterobacter cloacae | 2 days premature | Developing a non-invasive, premature animal model that closely mimics clinical conditions |
| Mark et al24 | Super oxide dismutase prevents damage and attenuates eicosanoid release in a rabbit model of necrotizing enterocolitis | Transmural injection of intestinal loops with an acidified solution of casein and calcium gluconate, mimicking the luminal milieu of afflicted neonates | No age specification | Localizing eicosanoids released from necrotic and healthy intestine in response to proinflammatory agents |
| Hwa-Young et al39 | Bowel sonography in sepsis with pathological correlation: an experimental study | Animals received 1 mg/kg of E. coli O55-B5 lipopolysaccharide to induce sepsis. Bowel wall thickness and injury were evaluated. | 1-week old | Facilitating early detection of intestinal injury in septic infants with necrotizing enterocolitis |
| Erdener et al40 | Pentoxifylline does not prevent hypoxia/ reoxygenation-induced necrotizing enterocolitis | Pups were pretreated with pentoxifylline 15 min prior to being exposed to 5 min hypoxic/ reoxygenation episodes 3 times a day for 3 days | 1-day old | Investigating the protective effects of pentoxifylline in necrotizing enterocolitis |