The Last Project of INRA on Angora Rabbit

In this book, we present our research to analyze the efficiency of an experiment of divergent selection in French Angora rabbit. Objectives of the experiment were to assess genetic parameter estimates for total fleece weight and correlated trait, and to get an experience on management of a population of angora rabbits under selection with overlapping generations. This book is also the last research project of INRA after nearly 30 years of research on this animal. We present an overview of the genetic and non-genetic factors of quantitative and qualitative traits influencing fibre production. The genetic parameters and genetic trends were analysed using a BLUP animal model. Results showed that selection for high and low total fleece weight was successfully performed and a divergence of three genetic standard deviations was observed between the high and low lines after eight years of selection.This book is also of practical interest for Angora rabbit breeders for knowledge of effects of selection for total fleece weight. Under supervision of: Hubert de Rochambeau and Daniel Allain