Recipient maternal genotypes improved the litter size components of a paternal line involved in a MOET programme in rabbits

Abstract

An essential factor in the success of multiple ovulation and embryo transfer programmes (MOET) in any species is the selection of the recipient females. In rabbit there is a notable lack of studies on the effects of recipient genotype on postnatal growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of recipient maternal genotypes on litter size components within a MOET programme applied to a commercial paternal line that appears to have exhausted its selection programme after 37 generations. The experiment was designed using 13 nulliparous donors from the R line (paternal line) to produce 453 embryos, which were transferred to two recipient maternal genotypes (A and V lines) and the own donor paternal line (R line). Litter size components and pre-and postnatal body mass of kits were evaluated. The differences between the genetic groups of recipients were estimated using a general linear model applying Bayesian analysis. The results showed that maternal lines have a high capacity to implant the embryos, maintain the pregnancy and present a favourable environment for embryo development compared to the R line. Specifically, A line dams showed the highest prenatal survival, total born and number born alive without effects on growth traits. The present study demonstrated the applicability of a MOET programme based on maternal ability recipients to improve the number of kits per cycle. Therefore, to allow the genetic improvement programme of meat rabbits to continue using the R line, we recommended applying for a MOET programme as a routine procedure. HIGHLIGHTS MOET programme based on maternal ability recipients enhanced the number of kits per cycle. The MOET programme could be a routine procedure to favour the selection of paternal lines by increasing selection pressure.