Effect of does parity order on litter homogeneity parameters
In rabbits’ reproductive performance, litter size, birth weight, growth, and mortality rate are among the most important indicators to define the productive potential and they are associated with parity order. Birth weight and little size are valuable parameters as related to mortality and weaning w...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2020-12-01
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| Series: | Italian Journal of Animal Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2020.1827990 |
| _version_ | 1818741938774343680 |
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| author | Marta Pollesel Marco Tassinari Andrea Frabetti Daniela Fornasini Damiano Cavallini |
| author_facet | Marta Pollesel Marco Tassinari Andrea Frabetti Daniela Fornasini Damiano Cavallini |
| author_sort | Marta Pollesel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In rabbits’ reproductive performance, litter size, birth weight, growth, and mortality rate are among the most important indicators to define the productive potential and they are associated with parity order. Birth weight and little size are valuable parameters as related to mortality and weaning weight. Thus, it is important to study individual newborn and intra-litter homogeneity parameters. This trial aimed to consider the litter homogeneity weight at birth, both within each litter and in the whole population, in order to suggest new proper within-litter homogenisation parameters. In this study, the 1st and 6th parity order had, respectively, the lowest and highest values in litter size (8.96 vs 12.39, n), born-alive (8.36 vs 12.22, n), litter weight (456.4 g vs 719.8, g), born-alive weight, and quartiles’ homogeneity. These parameters decreased in greater parity orders. No significant effects on still-born numbers and mortality rates were evidenced. All these litter homogeneity evaluation parameters appeared interesting in describing differences between parity orders. The results confirmed that does parity order influences litter size and born-alive weight, but also the intra- and inter-litter homogenisation. Litter homogenisation is crucial to ensure a proportionate share of milk, more equal growth, and better productive performances. Based on these results, we suggest for the commercial genetic centres to equalise the litters according to the birth weight, by dividing the population into quartiles and rearing kits with light birth weight in smaller litters and those with heavier birth weight in larger litters.HIGHLIGHTS Does parity order influences litter size and born-alive weight Kit’s quartiles distribution is a useful tool for equalisation practice |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T02:04:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3c39ae6c84024dda991bfd5afe01efe0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1594-4077 1828-051X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T02:04:35Z |
| publishDate | 2020-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Italian Journal of Animal Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-3c39ae6c84024dda991bfd5afe01efe02022-12-21T21:24:39ZengTaylor & Francis GroupItalian Journal of Animal Science1594-40771828-051X2020-12-011911188119410.1080/1828051X.2020.18279901827990Effect of does parity order on litter homogeneity parametersMarta Pollesel0Marco Tassinari1Andrea Frabetti2Daniela Fornasini3Damiano Cavallini4Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, University of BolognaDipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, University of BolognaCentro Genetico Conigli, Martini spaCentro Genetico Conigli, Martini spaDipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, University of BolognaIn rabbits’ reproductive performance, litter size, birth weight, growth, and mortality rate are among the most important indicators to define the productive potential and they are associated with parity order. Birth weight and little size are valuable parameters as related to mortality and weaning weight. Thus, it is important to study individual newborn and intra-litter homogeneity parameters. This trial aimed to consider the litter homogeneity weight at birth, both within each litter and in the whole population, in order to suggest new proper within-litter homogenisation parameters. In this study, the 1st and 6th parity order had, respectively, the lowest and highest values in litter size (8.96 vs 12.39, n), born-alive (8.36 vs 12.22, n), litter weight (456.4 g vs 719.8, g), born-alive weight, and quartiles’ homogeneity. These parameters decreased in greater parity orders. No significant effects on still-born numbers and mortality rates were evidenced. All these litter homogeneity evaluation parameters appeared interesting in describing differences between parity orders. The results confirmed that does parity order influences litter size and born-alive weight, but also the intra- and inter-litter homogenisation. Litter homogenisation is crucial to ensure a proportionate share of milk, more equal growth, and better productive performances. Based on these results, we suggest for the commercial genetic centres to equalise the litters according to the birth weight, by dividing the population into quartiles and rearing kits with light birth weight in smaller litters and those with heavier birth weight in larger litters.HIGHLIGHTS Does parity order influences litter size and born-alive weight Kit’s quartiles distribution is a useful tool for equalisation practicehttp://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2020.1827990rabbitdoes reproductionparity orderlitter homogeneitykits viability |
| spellingShingle | Marta Pollesel Marco Tassinari Andrea Frabetti Daniela Fornasini Damiano Cavallini Effect of does parity order on litter homogeneity parameters Italian Journal of Animal Science rabbit does reproduction parity order litter homogeneity kits viability |
| title | Effect of does parity order on litter homogeneity parameters |
| title_full | Effect of does parity order on litter homogeneity parameters |
| title_fullStr | Effect of does parity order on litter homogeneity parameters |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of does parity order on litter homogeneity parameters |
| title_short | Effect of does parity order on litter homogeneity parameters |
| title_sort | effect of does parity order on litter homogeneity parameters |
| topic | rabbit does reproduction parity order litter homogeneity kits viability |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2020.1827990 |
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