Indian Journal of Animal Research

  • Chief EditorK.M.L. Pathak

  • Print ISSN 0367-6722

  • Online ISSN 0976-0555

  • NAAS Rating 6.50

  • SJR 0.263

  • Impact Factor 0.4 (2024)

Frequency :
Monthly (January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December)
Indexing Services :
Science Citation Index Expanded, BIOSIS Preview, ISI Citation Index, Biological Abstracts, Scopus, AGRICOLA, Google Scholar, CrossRef, CAB Abstracting Journals, Chemical Abstracts, Indian Science Abstracts, EBSCO Indexing Services, Index Copernicus
Indian Journal of Animal Research, volume 54 issue 10 (october 2020) : 1206-1209

Genetic Parameters for Pre-Weaning Litter Traits in Heterogeneous Population of Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Raised in the Humid Tropics 

A.I. Adeolu, V.U. Oleforuh-Okoleh, W. Mathew, R.U. Onyeneke, R.N. Nwose, A. Oko-Isu, K.P. Ogbuagu
1Department of Agriculture Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, P.M. B. 1010, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. 
Cite article:- Adeolu A.I., Oleforuh-Okoleh V.U., Mathew W., Onyeneke R.U., Nwose R.N., Oko-Isu A., Ogbuagu K.P. (2019). Genetic Parameters for Pre-Weaning Litter Traits in Heterogeneous Population of Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Raised in the Humid Tropics. Indian Journal of Animal Research. 54(10): 1206-1209. doi: 10.18805/ijar.B-1124.
Data from 302 progeny in a heterogeneous population of rabbits were used to estimate the heritability and correlations (phenotypic and genetic) of pre-weaning litter traits (litter size at birth LSB, litter size at weaning LSW, litter weight birth LWB, litter weight at weaning LWW, kit weight birth KWB, and kit weight weaning KWW). Heritability estimates for litter size ranged from 0.16 (LSW) to 0.22 (LSB). LWB and LWW were more highly heritable (0.52 and 0.55 respectively) than KWB and KWW (0.36 and 0.25 respectively). The genetic (rG ) and phenotypic (rP) correlations between litter size and litter weight at birth and weaning were 0.69 to 0.88 (rG) and 0.28 to 0.88 (rP). Generally, litter traits gave higher estimates than individual kit traits implying that selection criteria based on litter performance rather than on individual kit performance should be applied in genetic improvement of pre-weaning traits in rabbits raised in derived savanna zone.  
  1. Abdel- kafy, E. M., Hassan, N. S., Morsy, W.A., Ali Kh., A. A. El-Sawy, M. A., Hassanein, M.N.F., Sabra, Z.A.M. (2012). Genetic parameters of litter traits in a local Baladi Black rabbit in Egypt. Proceeding 10th World Rabbit Congress Egypt. pp. 37-41.
  2. Abdel-Azeem, A.S., Abdel-Azeem, A.M., Darwish, A.A and Omar, E. M. (2007). Litter traits in four pure breeds of rabbit and their crosses under prevailing environmental conditions of Egypt. Proceeding 5th International C onference on Rabbit Production in Hot Climate. Hurghada, Egypt. pp. 39-51.
  3. Afifi, E.A. Yamani K.A., Marai I.F.M. and Maghawry A.M. (1992). Environmental and genetic aspects of litter traits in NZW and Californian rabbit, under the Egypt conditions. Journal of Applied Rabbit Resources. 15: 334-351.
  4. Akanno, E.C and Ibe, S.N. (2005). Estimates of genetic parameters for growth traits of domestic rabbits in the humid tropics. Livestock Research for Rural Development. 17(7) http://www.cipav.org.co /Irrd/Irrd20/5/iraq20069.htm
  5. Akanno, E.C., Ibe S.N. and Ogundu U.E. (2004). Reproduction and pre-weaning litter performance of different genotype of locally adapted rabbit breeds – Proc. of the 24th Annual Conference of the Genetics Society of Nigeria, UNAAB, Nigeria. 
  6. Becker, W.A. (1996). Manual of Quantitative Genetics 5th Edition. Academic Enterprises. Pullman Washington. pp. 45 – 49.
  7. El-Deghadi, A. S. (2005). Genetic evaluation for some reproductive traits in rabbits. Ph.D. Thesis submitted to Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Moshtohor, Benha University, Egypt. 
  8. El–Rahman, H. A., Elagib, H.A.A. and Babiker, S.A. (2012). Reproductive performance, meat chemical composition and quality of Sudan Baladi, New Zealand White and Californian rabbit breeds. Asian Journal of Animal Science. 6:47-50. 
  9. Enab, A. A., El-Weshahy, O. A. and Abdou, F. H. (2000). Genetic analysis of some economic tracts in rabbits. Egyptian Journal of Rabbit Science. 10 (2): 327 – 339.
  10. Harvey, W. R. (1990). Mixed Model Least Square and Maximum Likelihood Programme. Ohio State University, Ohio, USA.
  11. Iraqi, M.M., Afifi, E.A., Nayera, Z. B. and Gad, S. M. A. (2007). Estimation of genetic parameters for litter traits in Gabali rabbits raised in the north – western coast of Egypt using multi-trait animal model. 5th International Conference on Rabbit Production in Hot Climate. Hurghada, Egypt. pp. 103-112.
  12. Iraqi, M.M., Ibrahim, M.K., Hassan, N.S.H. and El-Deghadi, A.S. (2006). Evaluation of litter traits in purebred and crossbred rabbits raised under Egyptian conditions. Livestock Research for Rural Development. 18 (6). 
  13. Kabir, M., Akpa G.N, Nwagu B.I. and Adeyinka I.A. (2012). Litter Traits in a Diallel Crossing of Three Rabbit Breeds in Northern Guinea Savannah Zone of Nigeria, In: Proceedings, 10th World Rabbit Congress, World Rabbit Science Association, September 3-6, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. pp. 69–74.
  14. Kabir, M., Oni, O.O, Akpa, G.N. and Adeyinka, I.A. (2006). Heritability estimates and the interrelationships of body weight and shank length in two strains of Rhode Island Chickens. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences. 9 (15): 2892–2896.
  15. Khalil, M.H., Owen, J.B. and Afifi, E.A. (1986). A review of phenotypic and genetic parameters associated with meat production traits in rabbits. Animal Breeding Abstract. 54 (9): 725-749. 
  16. Oke, U. K. and Iheanocho, V. C. (2011). Effect of breed and breeding system on reproductive performance of rabbits in a humid tropical environment. Tropical and Subtropical Agro-ecosystem. 14: 369 – 373. 
  17. Okoro, V. M. O., Ogundu, U. E., Ukoli, I. C., Anyanwu, G. A., Chikaire, J., Raji, A. O. and Maduka, C. G. (2012). Estimation of heritability and repeatability for pre-weaning and post–weaning litter weight of unselected Domestic Rabbits in South Eastern Nigeria. International Journal of Agriculture and Forestry. 2(1): 7 – 10.
  18. Oludayo, M.A. (2012). Genetic and Physiological Evaluation of Hyla Rabbits in Guinea Savannah Zone of Nigeria. M.Sc. Thesis. Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Nigeria.
  19. Onifade, A. A., Abu, O.A Obiyan, R.L and Abanikannda, O.T F. (1999). Rabbit production in Nigeria: Some aspect of current status and promotional strategies. World Rabbit Science. 7 (2): 51-58.
  20. Orunmuyi, M., Adeyinka, I. A., Ojo, O. A. and Adeyinka, F. D. (2006). Genetic parameters estimates for pre-weaning litters traits in rabbits. Pakistan Journal of Biology and Science. 9 (15): 2909 – 2911. 
  21. Rastogi, R.K., Lukefahr, S.D. and Lukefahr, F.B. (2000). Heritability and repeatability of litter traits based on dam records from a tropical rabbit’s population in Trinidad, West -Indies. 7th World Rabbit Congress Valencia. 
  22. Ragab, M,. Sanchez, J. P. and Baselga, M. (2014). Effective population size and inbreeding depression on litter size in rabbits. A case study. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics. Wiley Online Library. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbg/12110.
  23. Sorhue, G.U., Akporhuarho, P.O., Udeh, I., and Mmereole, F.U.C. (2013). Estimates of genetic parameters of litter size traits at birth and weaning in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) raised in Anwai community, South Nigeria. International Journal of the Bio-flux Society. 3(1): 7-14. http://www.rg. Bioflux.com.ro. Retrieved on 24/11/2018.

Editorial Board

View all (0)