Genetic Parameters and Epigenetic Trend of Litter Size Traits of Acclimatized New-Zealand White Rabbits in Egypt

Abstract

A total of 93 litters produced from 36 does pedigreed by 13 dams and 9 sires, were analyzed using Animal Model Procedure (MTDFREML). Traits assessed were Litter Size traits, at birth, LSB; at 21 days, LS21 and at weaning, LSW (at 35 days) on two consecutive years. Heritability estimates of all considered litter traits were low. Genetic correlations among LSB and LSW were moderate and positive (0.490). The ranges of the NZW does transmitting ability (TA) were 0.814, 0.278 and 0.168 bunny for LSB; LS21 and LSW traits, resp. The percentages of positive breeding values estimate were 48.7, 48.7 and 56.4% for LSB; LS21 and LSW traits, rasp. Comparable significant moderate Pearson and Spearman correlation were obtained among BLUP's values& Ranks of the studied traits and they could both especially in cases with complexity of computations. Epigenetic Trend (EPG) with parities, the highest for Litter Size traits response was to the first parity. LS showed that epigenetic trend with Year-season (Y-S) effects gave better positive trends during good environmental circumstances and genetic expression could possibly change one environmental circumstance to another. Conclusively, this study recommends providing the acclimated New Zealand rabbits in Egypt more consideration and genetic improvement through selection to reach the performance of the standard breed due to the significant amounts of the trait's non-additional genetic component.