ESTIMATION OF CROSSBREEDING EFFECTS FOR DOE TRAITS IN CROSSING OF BAUSCAT AND BALADI RED RABBITS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Dept. of Anim. Prod., Fac. of Agric., Al-Azhar Univ., Nasr City, Egypt

2 Anim. Prod. Res. Institute, Ministry of Agric., Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.

Abstract

A crossbreeding experiment was carried out, which involving Baladi Red (BR) and Bauscat (B) rabbits to estimate direct heterosis (HI), maternal additive (GM) and direct additive (GI) effects on doe traits (reproductive and litter traits).  The doe traits of 690 litters (NSC, GL, LSB, NBA, LSW, LWB, LWW and LWG) were analyzed using a linear mixed model.  Mating group’s effect on doe traits were non-significant except NSC (P ≤0.05). Results were in favour of Bauscat rabbit for NBA, LWB, LWW and LWG traits. Crossbreeding between Bauscat and Baladi Red rabbits was associated with significant positive direct heterotic effect on NSC, LWW and LWG traits (P ≤0.05), direct heterosis estimates were positive for all doe traits studied except NSC. Direct additive effect for doe traits were not significant except NSC (P ≤0.001). Linear functions were in the favour of Bauscat-sired rabbits.  Maternal additive effect was also not-significant except NSC (P ≤0.001), in favour of local Baladi Red rabbits (as a dam breed) except in the NSC and LWG traits.

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