Motor activity of rabbits of various genetic groups in the open field

Two lines deriving from the same rabbit stock were selected for 8 generations for high (H) or low (L) locomotor activity score in the open field (OFS). The divergent selection was most effective up to the 3rd generation in the H line and up to the 4th generation in the L line. In further generations a decrease of OFS in the H line and a "floor effect" (OFS = 0) in the L line were observed. The mean OFS increased significantly in consecutive trials in the H line, whereas this increase was non-significant in the L line. There was a negative and very high correlation between the latency to enter the open field and the OFS (-0.95 and -0.98 for the H and L line, respectively). The realized heritability of the OFS was 0.46 and 0.23 in generations 0-3 within the L and H line, respectively, and 0.44 and -0.06 in generations 0-8. As calculated on the basis of divergent selection, the heritability was 0.31 and 0.15 for generations 0-3 and 0-8, respectively. The L rabbits were heavier shortly before (4th wk, P < 0.001) and after (8th wk, P < 0.01) weaning, than those of the H line, whereas the H rabbits grew faster (P < 0.05) between the 4th and 20th wk of age. There was a tendency for decreasing weight gains in consecutive generations. Generally, a lower percentage of H females delivered litters than those of the L line, but this was due to a very low percentage of such females in the 3rd and 6th generations. It can be assumed that H and L lines represent different, i.e., active and passive, coping strategies. These lines of rabbits offer increased possibilities for physiologically and ethologically oriented studies, e.g., on the welfare of caged animals.

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

hi@scite.ai

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Motor activity of rabbits of various genetic groups in the open field

Cited by 2 publications

References 5 publications

Demand functions for cage size in rabbits selectively bred for high and low activity in open-field

Demand functions for cage size in rabbits selectively bred for high and low activity in open-field

Untitled

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About