A. M. Orheruata

The levels of serum biochemical indices have a direct association with the status and performance of animals at every given stage of its life. The current study was carried out in the University of teaching and research farm, Benin City to evaluate the relationship between some breed of rabbit, some biochemical parameters and weight of kits. The experimental animals were Dutch and Zealand white rabbits. The design used for the experiment was Completely Randomized Design. Biochemical parameters measured where body weight of kits ALP, ALT and AST levels. The data collected were subjected to one way statistical analysis of variance. The results showed that ALP, ALT and AST levels were significantly affected (P<0.05) by breeds of rabbits. Dutch does had higher values for ALP (20U/L), ALT (17U/L) and AST (12.5U/L) compared to NewZealand does which recorded lowest for ALP (15U/L), ALT (5U/L) and AST (6U/L). All measured biochemical parameters of Dutch and NewZealand does had no significant effect (P>0.05) on body weight of kits. Body weight of NewZealand kits were numerically but not statistically higher than Dutch kits. The results showed that NewZealand kits recorded highest for body weight at week 6 (551.67), week 7 (576.67), week 8 (604.00), week 9 (631.67) and week 10 (641.67) compared to Dutch kits which recorded lowest for body weight at 6th (506.67), 7th 548.00), 8th (575.00), 9th (595.83 + 30.25) and 10th week (635.33) respectively. It was obtain from this study that the breed of an animal can significantly affect the levels of some biochemical parameters such as ALP, ALT and AST. Recommended as a result of this study is that NewZealand rabbits should be the genotype of choice for broiler rabbit production and the nee for more needed attention to be paid to the biochemical indices in animals

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) initiate an innate immune response system(Chang, 2010). TLR2 genetic differentiation between populations could result from neutral processes or natural selection. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic distance of toll-like receptor 2 gene in breeds of rabbits. A total number of 40adult rabbits (5months and above) were raised at the University of Benin teaching and research farm. Four (4) breeds of rabbits were selected for this experiment (Chinchilla, New Zealand, Hyla and Dutch breeds). About 2ml of blood was collected from the ear vein of the Rabbit separately and placed in a plain bottle containing 6ml of RNA shield. Blood samples were temporarily stored in a refrigerator before DNA extraction and analysis. Genomic DNA was isolated from each blood sample using the Zymo quick-g DNATM. Miniprep kit. Following the manufacturer’s instructions. The results showed that there was no genetic diversity between Hyla male (F1) x Chinchilla Male (Parent) as well asHyla male (F1 generation) x Hyla male (F1). Furthermore, the degree to which Chinchilla Male (F1generation) x Chinchilla Male (F2generation), Chinchilla Male(Parent) x Chinchilla Male (F1generation) and Hyla Female (Parent) x Chinchilla Male (F1generation) differ was constant and the same, while the lowest degree of diversity in genetic Tol-like receptors was obtained from Chinchilla, Male (Parent)x Chinchilla, Male (Parent).

This project was carried out to determine the Estimate of Heritability of Growth Rate in Rabbits" which endeavors to interpret the genetic basis governing the growth performance of rabbits, an important trait in the context of animal agriculture. The experiment was carried out at the rabbitry section of the University of Benin Farm Project, Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria. A total of
twenty rabbits (fifteen females and five males), of which five belong to one breed, were used for this experiment. The breeds used were New Zealand White, Chinchilla, Hyla and Dutch. The rabbits, which were 3 months of age, were kept for a duration of 18 weeks. Data collected were on Litter size at Birth, at two weeks and at weaning, Litter weight at Birth, at two weeks and at weaning were collected. encompassing a diverse population of rabbits, we aimed to quantify the heritability of growth rates, thereby discerning the relative influence of genetic factors. The data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using GENSTAT, 12th edition and Heritability estimate was obtained by first Solving for variance components (due to sire, due to standard error and phenotype) using the result obtained from the analysis.