Genetic parameters for litter weight, average daily gain and thigh muscle volume measured by in vivo Computer Tomography technique in Pannon White rabbits

Genetic parameters were estimated in Pannon White rabbits for average daily gain (ADG, between the ages of 5 and 10 weeks), thigh muscle volume (TMV, determined by Computer Tomography-scan) and litter weight at day 21 (recorded separately for each parity within the first four parities, LW21). LW21 of each parity of the first four parities were considered as separate traits, and all traits were analysed jointly using a six-trait animal model. REML procedure was applied using PEST for data coding and VCE software for estimating variance components. The heritability estimates for LW21 were moderately low and ranged between 0.10 ± 0.02 and 0.17 ± 0.02. Higher heritability estimates were recorded for TMV (0.20 ± 0.02) and for ADG (0.21 ± 0.01). The random common litter effects were low for LW21 (ranged between 0.04 ± 0.01 and 0.13 ± 0.04) and TMV (0.14 ± 0.02) but these effects were moderate for ADG (0.18 ± 0.01). An unfavourable genetic correlation was found between LW21 and TMV especially for the 3rd (− 0.53 ± 0.09) and 4th (− 0.70 ± 0.09) parities.