Crossbreeding genetic effects for growth and livability traits in rabbits raised under hot climate conditions [electronic resource].

Includes reference.

This study was canied out within a project for five consecutive production years. This project involved Egyptian GabaIi andNew zealand White (NZW) rabbits. Data of Fourteen different genetic groups of rabbits (represented by 4208 NZW and 255 Gabali purebreds anc14022 crossbreds ofdifferent genetic combinations between them with different genetic percentages in progeny produced rabbits) were used. Traits of growth (body weight at weaning (BW4), 8 (BW8) and 12 (BWI2) weeks of age, as well as daily gain during intervals of 4-8 (DG4-8), 8-12 (DG8-12) and 4-12 (DG4-12) weeks ofage and post-weaning livability traits during the periods from 4-8 (L4-8) and 8-12 (L8-12) weeks of age were studied. Data were analyzed using crossbreeding effect program to estimate crossbreeding genetic components (additive, heterosis and recombination effects ofdirect individual, maternal and paternal components, respectively). Results showed that the differences between NZW and Gabali breeds were non-significance for all the studied traits, in spite of favorable results of Gabali breed for all traits except DG8-12.The crossbred genetic group contained 75% of Gabali and 25% of NZW blood was the heaviest in body weights at 4, 8 and 12 weeks of age. These results explained the good mothering ability of Gabali rabbit breed. Direct additive genetic effects were negative and significant for most traits.

Summary in Arabic.

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