Abstract

GALLEGO, Fernando. EFFECTS OF CROSSBREEDING BETWEEN NEW ZEALAND AND CALIFORNIA RABBITS ON LITTER WEANING TRAITS. rev.udcaactual.divulg.cient. [online]. 2016, vol.19, n.1, pp.115-121. ISSN 0123-4226.

In order to assess the presence of individual and maternal heterosis and maternal effects on litter size at birth and weaning weight and survival, under commercial conditions F1 crosses between New Zealand and California breeds were established; in a second generation the females were mated to males of the Blue of Viena as terminal sire breed. For each genetic group six females, two males and their respective litters were used. As statistical procedures general linear models were implemented. As a result, in the progeny F1 significant differences in litter size and survival at weaning between reciprocal crosses were obtained; no differences between breeds were detected. The California breed used as maternal line presented superiority when compared to New Zealand females. The weaning weight variation was due to the number of young rabbits born and weaned per litter, maternal breed and genetic group. Also the results showed differences in maternal effects between breeds, which were favorables to California dams. The individual heterosis in weaning weight was 12.2 per cent for NZ x CAL genetic group. The terminal crossing of F1 females mated to Vienna Blue sires produced greater number of young rabbits and a more favorable weight at weaning relative to purebred females; maternal heterosis was 2.78 and 1.46 per cent for weight and weaning survival respectively. Finally for the improvement of rabbit production the use of dams NZ x CAL reared to AZ as terminal sire breed could be recommended.

Keywords : Heterosis; maternal effects; Oryctolagus cuniculus.

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