Effect of dam and sire genotypes on productive and carcass traits of rabbits1

Abstract

The aim of the experiment was to study the effect of dam and sire genotypes on the production and slaughter performance of growing rabbits. The experiment was carried out at Kaposvár University. Pannon White (PW) and maternal line (M) does were inseminated with the sperm of PW, M, large body line (LB), terminal line of Hycole hybrid (H), or colored line (CL) bucks. The mature body size of the M, PW, and CL genotypes was medium. The mature body size of the LB and H genotypes was large. Only PW and LB rabbits were selected for carcass traits based on computer tomograph (CT) scanning data. The rabbits (n = 320) were weaned at the age of 5 wk and housed in a closed climate-controlled rabbitry in wire cages. Rabbits were fed ad libitum a commercial pellet. Rabbits were slaughtered at 78 d of age. Daily BW gain (5.7%, P < 0.001) and G:F (6.2%, P < 0.001) of the progeny of PW does were better than those of the progeny of the M does. The weight of the chilled carcass and body parts was greater for the progeny of the PW does (P < 0.001). The ratio of the hind part compared with the reference carcass was greater in the PW group (P < 0.001); however, the ratio of the fore part was greater in the M group (P < 0.05). Examining the effect of the genotype of the sires, the BW and daily BW gain were greater in groups H and LB, whereas the progeny of M and CL sires were inferior (P < 0.05). Body weights at 11 wk of age were H: 2,918 g, LB: 2,793 g, PW: 2,678 g, CL: 2,636 g, and M: 2,585 g (P < 0.001). Similar differences were found for daily feed intake (P < 0.05). The G:F differed (P < 0.05) significantly between groups H and CL. The weights of the chilled carcass and of the body parts were the greatest for the progeny of the H sires, and the smallest in the M group. The differences between the dressing out percentages of the groups were not significant. The ratio of the fore part was greater (P < 0.05) in groups LB, H, and CL, but the ratio of the middle part was not different. The ratio of hind part related to the reference carcass was largest in progeny of PW and least in LB and CL groups (P < 0.05). It was concluded that the production of growing rabbits was affected by the adult BW of their sires, but the carcass traits were influenced by their own adult BW and by the CT-based selection.

Pannon breeding program in rabbit at Kaposvár University

“…The estimated correlation coefficient was moderate for the 1 st and 2 nd parities (-0.37 for both), but high for the 3 rd and 4 th parities (-0.53 and -0.70). Compared to other rabbit breeds, Szendrő et al (2010) observed that P rabbits have a lower amount of perirenal fat, which may suggest that the CT-aided selection decreased the rabbits' fat depots. This finding is unfavourable and can affect the P does, as it is known that energy deficit and depletion of body stores lead to a decrease in reproductive performance (Fortun-Lamothe, 2006).…”

“…Figure 2: The applied circular mating scheme (the arrows show the direction of the male transfer). (Nagy et al, 2010). 1, 2, 3, 4 are groups within each line.…”

Meat physical quality and muscle fibre properties of rabbit meat as affected by the sire breed, season, parity order and gender in an organic production system

“…It has long been demonstrated that the rabbit's weight and age at slaughter markedly influence the meat quality (Ouhayoun and Dalle Zotte, 1993;Ouhayoun, 1998;Dalle Zotte, 2002;Szendrő et al, 2010). Meat quality differences due to gender depend on the slaughter age, as the differences between sexes become more evident as age gradually approaches puberty.…”

Application possibilities of selection indices in Pannon White rabbits’ breeding programme

“…Contrary to the favourable results, Szendr} o et al (2010) and Gyovai et al (2012) pointed out that TMV has a negative correlation with the LW21 (from À0.37 to À0.7). As a result, individuals with the best TMV may not have the best LW21 in the first step of selection.…”