Correlated Response to Selection for Litter Size Residual Variability in Rabbits’ Body Condition
A divergent selection experiment for residual variance of litter size at birth was carried out in rabbits during twelve generations. Residual variance of litter size was estimated as the within-doe variance of litter size after pre-correction for year and season as well as parity and lactation statu...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2020-12-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/12/2447 |
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| author | Iván Agea María de la Luz García Agustín Blasco Peter Massányi Marcela Capcarová María-José Argente |
| author_facet | Iván Agea María de la Luz García Agustín Blasco Peter Massányi Marcela Capcarová María-José Argente |
| author_sort | Iván Agea |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A divergent selection experiment for residual variance of litter size at birth was carried out in rabbits during twelve generations. Residual variance of litter size was estimated as the within-doe variance of litter size after pre-correction for year and season as well as parity and lactation status effects. The aim of this work was to study the correlated response to selection for litter size residual variability in body condition from mating to weaning. Body condition is related directly to an animal’s fat deposits. Perirenal fat is the main fat deposit in rabbits. Individual body weight (IBW) and perirenal fat thickness (PFT) were used to measure body condition at second mating, delivery, 10 days after delivery, and weaning. Litter size of the first three parities was analyzed. Both lines decreased body condition between mating to delivery; however, the decrease in body condition at delivery was lower in the low line, despite this line having higher litter size at birth (+0.54 kits, <i>p</i> = 0.93). The increment of body condition between delivery and early lactation was slightly higher in the low line. On the other hand, body condition affected success of females’ receptivity and fertility at the third mating, e.g., receptive females showed a higher IBW and PFT than unreceptive ones (+129 g and +0.28 mm, respectively), and fertile females had a higher IBW and PFT than unfertile ones (+82 g and +0.28 mm, respectively). In conclusion, the does selected for reducing litter size variability showed a better deal with situations of high-energy demand, such as delivery and lactation, than those selected for increasing litter size variability, which would agree with the better health and welfare condition in the low line. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:54:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a464f25190c6438bb450010d773577ab |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:54:28Z |
| publishDate | 2020-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-a464f25190c6438bb450010d773577ab2023-11-21T01:50:04ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152020-12-011012244710.3390/ani10122447Correlated Response to Selection for Litter Size Residual Variability in Rabbits’ Body ConditionIván Agea0María de la Luz García1Agustín Blasco2Peter Massányi3Marcela Capcarová4María-José Argente5Departamento de Tecnología Agroalimentaria, Escuela Politécnica Superior de Orihuela, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Ctra. de Beniel km 3.2, 03312 Orihuela, SpainDepartamento de Tecnología Agroalimentaria, Escuela Politécnica Superior de Orihuela, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Ctra. de Beniel km 3.2, 03312 Orihuela, SpainInstitute for Animal Science and Technology, Universitat Politècnica de València, P.O. Box 22012, 46022 València, SpainDepartment of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture, 949 76 Nitra, SlovakiaDepartment of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture, 949 76 Nitra, SlovakiaDepartamento de Tecnología Agroalimentaria, Escuela Politécnica Superior de Orihuela, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Ctra. de Beniel km 3.2, 03312 Orihuela, SpainA divergent selection experiment for residual variance of litter size at birth was carried out in rabbits during twelve generations. Residual variance of litter size was estimated as the within-doe variance of litter size after pre-correction for year and season as well as parity and lactation status effects. The aim of this work was to study the correlated response to selection for litter size residual variability in body condition from mating to weaning. Body condition is related directly to an animal’s fat deposits. Perirenal fat is the main fat deposit in rabbits. Individual body weight (IBW) and perirenal fat thickness (PFT) were used to measure body condition at second mating, delivery, 10 days after delivery, and weaning. Litter size of the first three parities was analyzed. Both lines decreased body condition between mating to delivery; however, the decrease in body condition at delivery was lower in the low line, despite this line having higher litter size at birth (+0.54 kits, <i>p</i> = 0.93). The increment of body condition between delivery and early lactation was slightly higher in the low line. On the other hand, body condition affected success of females’ receptivity and fertility at the third mating, e.g., receptive females showed a higher IBW and PFT than unreceptive ones (+129 g and +0.28 mm, respectively), and fertile females had a higher IBW and PFT than unfertile ones (+82 g and +0.28 mm, respectively). In conclusion, the does selected for reducing litter size variability showed a better deal with situations of high-energy demand, such as delivery and lactation, than those selected for increasing litter size variability, which would agree with the better health and welfare condition in the low line.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/12/2447body conditionfertilitylitter size variabilityrabbitsselection |
| spellingShingle | Iván Agea María de la Luz García Agustín Blasco Peter Massányi Marcela Capcarová María-José Argente Correlated Response to Selection for Litter Size Residual Variability in Rabbits’ Body Condition Animals body condition fertility litter size variability rabbits selection |
| title | Correlated Response to Selection for Litter Size Residual Variability in Rabbits’ Body Condition |
| title_full | Correlated Response to Selection for Litter Size Residual Variability in Rabbits’ Body Condition |
| title_fullStr | Correlated Response to Selection for Litter Size Residual Variability in Rabbits’ Body Condition |
| title_full_unstemmed | Correlated Response to Selection for Litter Size Residual Variability in Rabbits’ Body Condition |
| title_short | Correlated Response to Selection for Litter Size Residual Variability in Rabbits’ Body Condition |
| title_sort | correlated response to selection for litter size residual variability in rabbits body condition |
| topic | body condition fertility litter size variability rabbits selection |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/12/2447 |
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