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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
04:29
Pregnancy and Nursing Management for Embryo-Transferred and Genetically Modified Rabbits
Published on: December 13, 2024
Additive genetic and maternal effects on litter traits in rabbits*
D Krogmeier1, V Dzapo, I L Mao
1Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA Institut für Tierzucht und Haustiergenetik der Justus-Liebig-Universität, Gießen, Germany.
Summary
Genetic and maternal effects on rabbit litter traits were analyzed. Live litter size at birth is a useful selection criterion for improving litter traits, with an optimal size of approximately 11 kits.
Area of Science:
- Animal Genetics
- Reproductive Biology
- Quantitative Genetics
Background:
- Litter traits in rabbits are influenced by genetic and maternal factors.
- Understanding these influences is crucial for improving rabbit production efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate additive genetic and maternal effects on various litter traits in rabbits.
- To identify optimal litter size for maximizing weaning and slaughter traits.
- To evaluate live litter size at birth as a selection criterion.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 457 litters from 3267 rabbits in a reciprocal crossbreeding experiment.
- Application of an animal model using a derivative-free Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) procedure.
- Estimation of heritability and genetic correlations for litter size, weight, and mortality.
Main Results:
- Heritability estimates for litter size ranged from 0.09 to 0.25, and for litter weight from 0.00 to 0.13.
- Maternal effects accounted for approximately 10% of preweaning litter trait variation.
- Live litter size at birth explained 2.3% to 43.2% of preweaning trait variation.
- An optimal litter size of approximately 11 kits was identified to prevent declines in weaning traits.
Conclusions:
- Live litter size at birth is a valuable selection criterion for enhancing rabbit litter traits.
- Genetic selection based on live litter size at birth can significantly improve litter size and weight at later stages.
- Maintaining an optimal litter size of around 11 kits is recommended for maximizing productivity.
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