HETEROSIS IN MATERNAL TRAITS FROM CROSSBREEDING OF EXOTIC AND LOCAL BREEDS OF RABBITS

Abstract

Heterosis in maternal traits was estimated using least-squares mixed model methodology and records on 442 offspring from 114 litters produced in a reciprocal crossbreeding programme involving Local (LOC), New Zealand White (N- and Californian (CAL) rabbits at the Institute of Animal and Veterinary Research (ImV), Mankon, Bamenda-Cameroon. For the NZW x LQC matings (main and reciprocal)
the amount of heterosis expressed varied from -19.3'/0 for litter weight at birth to l6O/0 for litter size at 56 days. In the NZW x CAL matings (main and reciprocal), heterosis estimates ranged from -24O/0 for percent stillbirth to 18.5°/~f or average daily growth
rate from 21 to 56 days. Differences in performance between crossbreds and purebreds were significant (gC0.05) for litter weight at birth in the NZW x LOC mating types and for individual weaning weights in the NZW x CAL mating, Average percent heterosis from khe two types of crosses was negative for dl early preweaning characters and positive for all late preweaning characters. These low to
high heterosis estimates suggest a possible use of non-additive gene action for the improvement sf some maternal traits through crossbreeding.