Caracterización de parámetros reproductivos y endocrinos en una población de conejas ibicencas

Resumen

The Ibicean rabbit, also known as conill pagès d’Eivissa, is a native breed with very few remaining individuals, because it has been replaced by other more productive breeds. the conservation of this population requires the creation of some germplasm banks, which is necessary to establish their reproductive characteristics. therefore, the aim of this research was to define some reproductive parameters of female Ibicean rabbits. We also compare them to California x New Zealand commercialy crossbred white rabbit does, which are more commonly used in rabbit production. fertility was similar between groups, being 76.8% and 81.3% in crossbred and Ibicean rabbit does respectively, respectively (p>0.05). total newborn, born alive, stillborn, litter weight at 21 days of life, milk production, number of weaned rabbits, litter weight at weaning and average daily gain of the litter were higher in California x New Zealand crossbred rabbits than in the Ibicean rabbits. In contrast, gestation in Ibicean does was longer and their individual weaning weight was higher. It took a few days more for the Ibicean rabbits to achieve their slaughter weight than for the crossbred ones, since their average daily gain was lower and their conversion rate was always higher, except for the last week, when conversion rates decreased and were similar to that of the crossbred individuals. Regarding endocrine parameters, both LH and progesterone concentrations post-ovulation were higher in the crossbred females. finally, the ovarian response data showed crossbred females have a greater number of preovulatory follicles and oocytes per ovary and also a greater number of recovered embryos and corpora lutea, with a greater embryonic development than in the case of the ibicenco females. therefore, it has been experimentally shown that the rabbit from Ibiza, which is a non-selected rare breed, has less improved reproductive characteristics than commercial rabbits. However, it is very important to preserve this breed from the point of view of maintaining genetic biodiversity.