The study investigated heterosis effects for preweaning litter characteristics using three Nigerian localrabbits (Local White LW, Local Brown Tail LBT, Local Black LB). The percent heterosis for litter size inLW x LB crossbred kits was positive at the 7th, 14th and 21st day postpartum (+24.20%, +31.63% and+22.94%, respectively). Direct heterosis and percent heterosis were negative for litter size in LW x LBTand LBT x LB crosses from birth to 21-day post-partum. A positive percent heterosis of 19% wasrecorded for litter size in LW x LB crossbred kits from birth to 21-day post-partum. Mortality within litterin LW x LBT and LBT x LB crossbred kits was reduced by 159% and 125%, respectively. Heterosiseffect for litter weight (birth to 21-day postpartum) was 11% for LW x LB crossbred kits. Estimates ofdirect heterosis (and percent heterosis) for average kit birth weights were favourable for crossbred kits inthis study. The potential of crossbreeding to tap the non-additive genes for reproductive performance wasconfirmed in the present study. Crossing LW with LB resulted in positive heterosis for postbirth litter sizeand litter weight while LW x LBT and LBT x LB helped to improve preweaning mortality and averagekits’ weight.
Author Biography
Timothy Rotimi Fayeye, University of Ilorin, Nigeria
