Heterotic Components of Carcass and Meat Quality Traits for Crossing Gabali with V-Line Rabbits

Abstract Text:

Carcass traits (CT) and meat quality (MQ) for 2770 rabbit were evaluated in crossbreeding project involving V-line and Saudi rabbits. Direct additive effects (G^I) for CT were moderately in favour of V-line and ranging from 4.7 to 11.5%, while estimates for MQ traits were low and ranged from 1.0 to 6.6% in favour of Saudi. V-line dams showed slight favorable maternal genetic effects for most CT compared to Saudi dams. V-line had slightly less G^I for dry matter content in the lean (0.746±0.237) than in Saudi. Direct heterosis and recombination effects were positive, while maternal heterosis were negative and significant for most carcass traits. Recombination effects were significant for most CT and neither heterosis and recombination effects for MQ traits were significant.

Keywords:

Rabbits

Carcass and Meat quality

Additive and heterotic effects