Genetic Analysis of Productive Performance in New Zealand White Rabbits

Abstract

In this study, the genetic parmeters of the New Zealand white (NZW) rabbit were evaluated and clarified, including heritability and the common-litter effect, as well as genetic, common-litter, phenotypic correlations, and breeding values. For this purpose, 656 rabbits were kept at the Sakha research farm, for two years. A multi-trait animal model was used to analyze the body weights and relative growth rates data. Heritability estimations (h2a) for various body weights ranged from 0.15 to 0.30 and were low to moderate. The minimum estimate of h2a for relative growth rates at 4 to 6 weeks was 0.13, and the maximum estimate of h2a for relative growth rates at 10 to 12 weeks was 0.24. Moderate to high and positive genetic correlation (rg) between body weights, 0.36 to 0.73. rg estimates between relative growth rates ranged from moderate (0.45) to high (0.84) and positive. Common-litter correlation (rc) between body weights ranged from moderate (0.32) to high (0.71) and positive. rc estimates between relative growth rates ranged from moderate (0.43) to high (0.71) and positive. The phenotypic correlation (rp) between body weights was moderate (0.41) to high (0.80) and positive. rp estimates between the relative growth rates were high and positive. The estimated ranges of breeding values were 175.07, 263.89, 299.48, 267.78, and 279.86 for 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks, respectively. While were 24.56, 27.04, 31.80, 35.14, and 29.28 during the period of 4-6, 6-8, 8-10, 10-12, and 4-12 weeks, respectively.