Evaluation of polymorphisms in IGFBPs genes and their influence on meat quality traits in different rabbit breeds (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Rabbits are important livestock animals, popular mostly in theMediterranean area. In Poland, the consumption of rabbit meat is constantly increasing as a result of its nutritional value. Nowadays, molecular background of traits influencing on quality of meat and products are highly demanding.Therefore, inour study we analysed the influence of five polymorphisms within the IGFBPs genes in different rabbits breeds. Statistical significances were found for growth, carcass and meat quality traits however not for all analysed breeds. Most promising polymorphism seems to be g.158093018A > T within IGFBP5 . The values of pH 24 on m.longissimus lumborum (m.l.l.) and b.biceps femoris (m.b.f.) were higher for AT genotypes compared to AA genotypes for Termond White and New Zealand White x Flemish Giant crossbreds. We conclude that this polymorphism may be promising for better quality meat in rabbits