Comparison of carcass traits and meat quality of Hyplus hybrid, purebred Pannon White rabbits and their crossbreds

Abstract. The aim of the experiment was to compare the weight gain, carcass traits and meat quality of Hyplus hybrid (HH, offspring of Hyplus PS59 bucks and Hyplus PS19 does, n = 77), purebred Pannon White rabbits (PP, offspring of Pannon White bucks and Pannon White does, n = 84) and their crossbreds (PH: offspring of Pannon White bucks and Hyplus PS19 does, n = 97; HP: offspring of Hyplus PS59 bucks and Pannon White does, n = 79). Pannon White rabbits are selected for body weight gain and for carcass traits by computerised tomography (CT), while Hyplus PS19 females and Hyplus PS59 males are selected on prolificacy and body weight gain, respectively. Rabbits of HP genotype had the highest while those of PP genotype the lowest body weight gain (38.9 and 36.6 g/day, respectively; P<0.05). Pannon White breed had an advantageous influence on dressing out percentage (PP: 58.0%; PH: 58.7%; HP: 57.7%; HH: 57.6%; P<0.001) and on the weight of the m. Longissimus dorsi (PP: 152 g; PH: 143 g; HP: 137 g; HH: 136 g; P<0.001). The fat content of the carcass was lower in the offspring of the Hyplus PS59 bucks (1.15, 1.16, 0.89 and 0.85% for PP, PH, HP and HH rabbits, respectively; P<0.001). Significant differences were found between the meat samples of progenies of purebred Pannon White and the hybrid terminal cross rabbits in the moisture and fat content of hindleg meat (moisture content: PP: 75.5%, HH: 76.1%, P<0.05; fat content: PP: 2.38%, HH: 1.46%; P<0.001). From the view point of dressing out percentage and the volume of the m. Longissimus dorsi the usage of Pannon White genotype is advantageous. Dressing out percentage of the offspring of the early-matured Hyplus PS19 does and Pannon White bucks selected with the help of computerised tomography is remarkable.