Evolution of research axes at INRA for the genetic improvement of meat rabbits

Abstract

The increased emphasis on triple bottom line reporting for agricultural businesses (economic, social and environmental) has led the genetic research program for meat rabbits to focus on new selection traits that improve animal health and welfare and moderate reliance on drugs. These studies are mainly based on experiments but also on analyses of data of private breeding companies and have led to applications in commercial breeding schemes after validation. In order to reduce mortality in young rabbits, scientists have been studying the maternal ability of the doe. The use of a complex genetic animal model including direct and maternal effects has made it possible to improve the maternal ability of does, resulting in improved survival and growth of young rabbits. In addition, an experiment of canalising selection has demonstrated that the survival of young rabbits is improved with selection for homogeneity of birth weight. An increase in longevity of breeding does has been demonstrated by the implementation of survival analysis. Genetic resistance to disease, mainly epizootic enterocolitis and pasteurellosis, has been investigated in order to reduce economic losses but also to improve animal welfare and to reduce risk due to the use of antibiotics. To improve feed efficiency and to reduce feeding costs, which are a major determinant of farmers' income, two selection criteria have been evaluated for possible inclusion in breeding programs: residual consumption and growth rate on a restricted food ration. In order to reduce the use of hormones for oestrus induction, new programs have commenced to study the genetic variability of oestrus  ehaviour in does.