Estimation of Genetic Parameters of Pasteurellosis Resistance in Crossbred Rabbits

Participation de la PFIE1277 - PlateForme d'Infectiologie Expérimentale INRA Nouzilly. [All experiments were conducted the facilities by the PlateForme d’Infectiologie Expérimentale : PFIE, UE-1277, INRA Centre Val de Loire, Nouzilly, France.]Participation de la PFIE1277 - PlateForme d'Infectiologie Expérimentale INRA NouzillyThis study is a first approach to estimate genetic parameters of resistance to Pasteurellosis in an experimental crossbred rabbit population. Novel disease-related traits were the abscess dissemination score, collected post autopsy, a score related to the presence or absence of Pasteurella multocida in the organs, and resistance score. For disease-related traits, heritability estimates ranged from 0.09 (±0.05) to 0.14 (±0.05). Highest heritability wasestimated for the resistance trait. Results for heritability estimates suggest a contribution of a genetic component to Pasteurellosis resistance. Genetic correlations among disease-related traits were strongly positive. Genetic correlations between disease-related traits and average daily weight gain were strongly negative. These results support the implementation of a selection against Pasteurellosis in the French breeding programs for meat rabbits. Further investigations will be performed using additional disease-related and production traits