Response to selection for litter weaning weight in two lines of rabbits raised in Egypt
Abstract: An experiment to evaluate a new synthetic maternal line of rabbits named APRI, recently formed in Egypt, compared with the exotic V line for litter weight traits (litter birth weight, litter weaning weight, litter marketing weight and pre-weaning litter gain) has been carried out. Data on 1400 and 1906 litters were collected from APRI and V line, respectively. The selection criterion was litter weaning weight in both lines based on BLUP estimations under multi-traits repeatability animal model. V line was significantly superior to APRI line in all studied traits except litter marketing weight which was in favor of APRI line. Heritability estimates were generally low and comparable in both lines with ranges of 0.08 to 0.11. Low to moderate estimates of repeatability were observed for all studied traits with ranges of 0.14 to 0.31. Estimates of genetic correlations were high and ranged from 0.75 to 0.93, while non-additive plus permanent environmental effects correlations were mostly lower than genetic
correlations (0.47 to 0.91). The direct selection response for litter weaning weight was significant and valued 103 and 97 gram in APRI and V line rabbits, respectively. Correlated response was found to be significant (P < 0.05) for other litter weight traits. These results indicate that the current selection program was effective to achieve genetic improvement in litter weight traits. Furthermore, the superiority of APRI line to V line in marketing weight trait confirmed the importance of Baladi Red (one of APRI parents) as a local genetic resource. This is an encouragement factor to use the Baladi Red rabbis in the programs of establishing new synthetic lines in Egypt.
Publication year 2009
Pages 250-259
Availability location معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى- الجيزة
Availability number
Organization Name
City طابا
serial title 5th International Poultry Conference
Author(s) from ARC
External authors (outside ARC)
    جلال ابو خديجة جامعة الاسكندرية
    كمال صالح جامعة كفر الشيخ
    رياض يوسف نوفل جامعة كفر الشيخ
Agris Categories Animal husbandry
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Egypt. Litter size. Rabbits. Selection. Weight.
Proposed Agrovoc litter birth weight;litter weaning weight;litter marketing weight;pre-weaning litter gain;genetic correlations;
Publication Type Conference/Workshop
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