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Divergent selection for uterine capacity in rabbits
M J Argente1, M A Santacreu, A Climent
1Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Spain.
Journal of Animal Science
|September 26, 1997
Summary
This study investigated rabbit uterine capacity, finding that selection for litter size effectively increased implanted embryos. However, fetal survival showed limited heritability, indicating challenges in improving this component of reproductive success through breeding.
Area of Science:
- Animal Genetics
- Reproductive Biology
- Quantitative Genetics
Background:
- Uterine capacity is a key determinant of litter size in mammals.
- Understanding genetic and phenotypic parameters is crucial for improving reproductive efficiency in livestock.
- Rabbit models offer insights into mammalian reproductive physiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters for uterine capacity and its components in rabbits.
- To investigate the effectiveness of divergent selection for uterine capacity.
- To analyze correlated responses in reproductive traits following selection.
Main Methods:
- A divergent selection experiment was conducted on rabbits for uterine capacity.
- Surgical procedures (unilateral ovariectomy, laparoscopy) were used to assess reproductive traits.
- Genetic parameters were estimated using restricted maximum likelihood (REML).
Main Results:
- Litter size showed high genetic and phenotypic correlations with the number of implanted embryos.
- Fetal survival had a high genetic but moderate phenotypic correlation with litter size.
- Uterine capacity exhibited low heritability (0.16), and fetal survival within a horn had very low heritability (0.05).
- Divergent selection effectively improved uterine capacity, with a correlated response in implanted embryos.
Conclusions:
- Selection for uterine capacity in rabbits is feasible and impacts embryo implantation.
- Low heritability of fetal survival limits direct selection for this trait.
- Reproductive performance is influenced by complex genetic and environmental interactions affecting uterine capacity and fetal development.