Comparison of carcass and meat characteristics of three rabbit lines selected for litter size or growth rate

Rabbits from three synthetic lines were compared. Line V and A were selected for litter size at weaning and line R was selected for growth rate between weaning and slaughter time. Forty animals of each line were slaughtered at 9 week of age. Comparisons between lines were made using Bayesian statistical techniques. Line R had a higher meat/bone ratio, higher loin percentage and higher ultimate pH of M. Longissimus lumborum (LL) than A and V, but lower dressing out and lower hind part percentages. Some differences between lines in carcass and meat colour were found. No differences were found for percentage of released water of LL and for the activity of energy metabolic enzymes. At present, rabbit carcasses are not costed according to their retail cuts or meat/bone ratio, but dressing out percentage is taken into account, thus breeding companies should be concerned about lower carcass yield of lines selected by growth rate.