Effect of Inbreeding on Reproductive Performance in Blue Fox (Alopex lagopus) Vixens
Titel:
Effect of Inbreeding on Reproductive Performance in Blue Fox (Alopex lagopus) Vixens
Auteur:
Nordrum, Nina M. Valberg
Verschenen in:
Acta agriculturae Scandinavica. Section A, Animal science
Paginering:
Jaargang 44 (1994) nr. 4 pagina's 214-221
Jaar:
1994-11-01
Inhoud:
Multiple regression models were used to determine the effects of inbreeding on litter size at birth, and on the potential litter size in the prenatal and postnatal period. Inbreeding was achieved by repeated sire-daughter matings for three generations. In addition, “contrast matings” in the form of inbred dams carrying non-inbred litters and vice versa, reduced the colinearity between inbreeding of dam and inbreeding of litter. Average inbreeding coefficients were: dams, 16% (range 0-41%), litters, 24% (range 0-53%) and sires, 9% (range 0-41%). Inbreeding of sire had no significant effects. The total number of pups born per mated vixen declined significantly by 0.71 pups per 10% increased inbreeding of the dam (P=0.01). Litter inbreeding caused a significant reduction of 0.47 pups per 10% increase in inbreeding (P=0.05). Maternal inbreeding did not affect ovulation rate, but caused increased loss of ova or early embryos before implantation. Litter inbreeding caused increased mortality in the post-implantation period and during the first three days after parturition. Litter size shortly after parturition declined at a rate of 0.41 pups per 10% increase in litter inbreeding (P=0.02). Litter size at weaning was not affected by inbreeding. This suggests that genes affecting prenatal and early postnatal survival exhibit a dominance effect.
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