ABSTRACT

An 18-week experiment was conducted to determine the relationship between markers and some quantitative traits in the domestic rabbit. Twenty-seven Chinchilla breed of rabbits about 8-9 weeks of age, were used for the study. Data were collected hi-weekly on biologic markers (rectal temperature, packed cell volume, white blood cell, blood haemoglobin, red blood cell, blood glucose, blood protein) and quantitative traits (body weight, ear length, body length, heart girth, head-to-shoulder, shoulder-to-tail drops,length of hind limb) for each rabbit. The relationship between each identified maker and the quantitative traits was determined using Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient (r). White blood cells and blood protein showed significant (P<O.05) positive association with shoulder-to-tail drops and body weight. Rectal temperature showed significant (P<O.05) positive association with ear length and body weight. Blood glucose showed significant (P<O.Ol) positive relationship with length of hind limb. Red blood cell count showed significant (P<O.05) positive association with body weight. However, significant (P<O.05) negative association was found between white blood cells and heart girth and between rectal temperature and shoulder-to-tail drops and head-to-shoulder. Other markers did not show any significant association with the quantitative traits studied.