"Covering all aspects of the genetics and genomics of the rabbit, this book includes domestication, classical genetics, the rabbit genome, genetic maps and markers, coat colour genetics, immunogenetics, transgenic rabbits and biotechnology applications. It also covers the genetics of meat and fibre production, reproduction and disease resistance"--.

• Cover
• The Genetics and Genomics of the Rabbit
• Copyright
• Contents
• To Giovanna, Davide and Sara
• Contributors
• Preface
• 1 The Evolution, Domestication and World Distribution of the European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
  • 1.1 The Order Lagomorpha
  • 1.2 The European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
    • 1.2.1 The evolutionary history of the European rabbit: fossil records
    • 1.2.2 The evolutionary history of the European rabbit: molecular data
    • 1.2.3 The domestication process of the European rabbit
      • 1.2.3.1 Molecular evidences
      • 1.2.3.2 The first waves of rabbit distribution in Europe: archaeological and historical sources
    • 1.2.4 World distribution of the European rabbit and genetic perspectives
  • References
• 2 Rabbit Breeds and Lines and Genetic Resources
  • 2.1 What Does the Term ‘Race’ or Breed, as Applied to Rabbits, Mean Today?
  • 2.2 The Origin of Breeds
  • 2.3 Creation of Breeds
  • 2.4 Recognition of an Isolated Population as a Breed or a Line
  • 2.5 Rabbit Breeds on an International Level
  • 2.6 A Breed Has One or More Purposes
  • 2.7 Evolution of Breeds and Lines
  • 2.8 Synthetic Lines in Developing Countries
    • 2.8.1 Western Asia
    • 2.8.2 North Africa
    • 2.8.3 Sub-Saharan Africa
    • 2.8.4 Latin America
  • References
• 3 The Genome of the European Rabbit and Genomic Tools
  • 3.1 Introduction
  • 3.2 The Genome of Oryctolagus cuniculus
  • 3.3 Genomic Tools and Applications
  • References
• 4 Cytogenetics, Physical and Genetic Maps and QTL Mapping in the European Rabbit
  • 4.1 The Karyotype of Oryctolagus cuniculus
  • 4.2 Gene Mapping in the Domestic Rabbit: Physical Gene Maps
    • 4.2.1 Mapping using somatic cell hybrids
    • 4.2.2 Mapping by in situ hybridization
  • 4.3 Synteny Mapping
  • 4.4 Genetic Linkage Maps
    • 4.4.1 History of the rabbit linkage map
    • 4.4.2 Comparison of linkage maps in European rabbit populations
    • 4.4.3 Physical versus genetic maps
  • 4.5 QTL Studies in Rabbits
    • 4.5.1 QTL studies for carcass composition and meat-quality traits
    • 4.5.2 QTL studies for atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia
  • 4.6 Concluding Remarks
  • References
• 5 Immunogenetics in the Rabbit
  • 5.1 Introduction
  • 5.2 Immunoglobulins (Igs)
    • 5.2.1 Genes encoding Igs
      • 5.2.1.1 Definitions
    • 5.2.2 Heavy-chain genes
    • 5.2.3 Light chain genes – Kappa and Lambda variable and constant regions
  • 5.3 Ig Protein Structure
    • 5.3.1 Genetic variants detectable with alloantisera (allotypes)
    • 5.3.2 Haplotypes and recombinants
  • 5.4 B Cell Development and Diversification of Sequence sEncodingIgs
    • 5.4.1 Early development of the B-cell repertoire
    • 5.4.2 Diversification by gene conversion and somatic hypermutation of rearranged rabbit heavy- and light-chain gene sequences
      • 5.4.2.1 Gene conversion
      • 5.4.2.2 Clonally related sequence diversification patterns in developing appendix differ from patterns during specific immune responses in secondary lymphoid organs
  • 5.5 T-Cell Receptors
    • 5.5.1 TCR Gamma (TRG)
    • 5.5.2 TCR beta (TRB)
    • 5.5.3 TCR alpha and delta
  • 5.6 The Rabbit Leukocyte Antigen (RLA) Complex
    • 5.6.1 Mapping and organization
    • 5.6.2 The MHC class I genes
    • 5.6.3 The MHC class II genes
    • 5.6.4 Genetic variability of the RLA complex
    • 5.6.5 Insights provided by the current assembly of the rabbit genome
  • 5.7 Cytokine Genes
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
• 6 Genetics and Molecular Genetics of Coat Colour in the European Rabbit
  • 6.1 Introduction
  • 6.2 The Albino Locus: Characterization of the Tyrosinase Gene
  • 6.3 The Extension Locus: Several Deletions in the Melanocortin 1 Receptor Gene
  • 6.4 The Agouti Locus: Mutations Affecting the Agouti Signalling Protein Gene
  • 6.5 The Dilute Locus: Polymorphisms in the Melanophilin Gene
  • 6.6 The Brown Locus: A Mutation in the Tyrosinase-related Protein 1 Gene
  • 6.7 The English Spotting Locus: Association with a KIT Gene Marker
  • 6.8 The Dutch Series
  • 6.9 The Viennese White Locus
  • 6.10 Silvering
  • 6.11 The Red Eye Locus
  • 6.12 The Wide Band Locus
  • 6.13 Conclusion
  • References
• 7 Genetics of Fibre and Fur Production in Rabbits
  • 7.1 Introduction
  • 7.2 Biology of the Coat of the Rabbit
    • 7.2.1 Structure and composition of the coat
    • 7.2.2 Hair structure
    • 7.2.3 Hair growth and moulting periods
  • 7.3 Single Genes Affecting Hair and Coat Structure
    • 7.3.1 Angora
    • 7.3.2 Rex
    • 7.3.3 Satin
    • 7.3.4 Waved
    • 7.3.5 ‘Wuzzy’ (hair sticky and matted)
    • 7.3.6 Naked or furless
  • 7.4 Genetic Improvement of Fibre and Fur Production
    • 7.4.1 Genetic improvement of Angora rabbit for fibre production
      • 7.4.1.1 Relevant traits
      • 7.4.1.2 Non-genetic factors affecting fibre production in Angora rabbits
      • 7.4.1.3 Genetic parameters
      • 7.4.1.4 Response to selection
    • 7.4.2 Genetic improvement of rabbit for fur production
      • 7.4.2.1 Relevant traits in Rex rabbits
      • 7.4.2.2 Genetic parameters and response to selection for fur production in Rex rabbits
  • 7.5 Concluding Remarks
  • References
• 8 Genetics and Molecular Genetics of Morphological and Physiological Traits and Inherited Disorders in the European Rabbit
  • 8.1 Introduction
  • 8.2 Sources of Information
  • 8.3 Sources of Genetic Variability
  • 8.4 Quantitative Inheritance
  • 8.5 Single-locus or Oligogenic Determined Traits and Defects
  • 8.6 Conclusion
  • References
• 9 Genetics of Disease Resistance in the European Rabbit
  • 9.1 Introduction
  • 9.2 Pasteurellosis
    • 9.2.1 Disease description
    • 9.2.2 Selection for resistance to bacterial infection
    • 9.2.3 Genetic resistance to experimental Pasteurella multicoda infection
  • 9.3 Epizootic Rabbit Enterocolitis and Digestive Disorders
    • 9.3.1 Disease description
    • 9.3.2 Genetic variability of the resistance to digestive disorders of various origins
    • 9.3.3 Selection for the resistance to digestive disorders
    • 9.3.4 Resistance to an experimental Escherichia coli infection
    • 9.3.5 Candidate genes studied to identify markers associated with resistance to digestive disorders
  • 9.4 Multiple Disease Syndromes
    • 9.4.1 Unspecific disease resistance under two feeding systems
    • 9.4.2 Resistance to infectious syndromes
    • 9.4.3 Resistance to non-specific disease in a selection and challenged environment
  • 9.5 Myxomatosis
  • 9.6 Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD)
  • 9.7 Concluding Remarks
  • References
• 10 Genetics and Genomics of Growth, Carcass and Meat Production Traits in Rabbits
  • 10.1 Introduction
  • 10.2 Economic Importance of Growth and Carcass Traits in Genetic Programmes
  • 10.3 Genetics of Growth Traits
    • 10.3.1 Between-breed genetic variability
    • 10.3.2 Genetic parameters of growth traits
  • 10.4 Genetics of Carcass Traits
    • 10.4.1 Between-breed genetic variability
    • 10.4.2 Genetic parameters of carcass traits
  • 10.5 Genetics of Rabbit Meat Quality
    • 10.5.1 Genetic variability between rabbit lines
    • 10.5.2 Genetic parameters of meat-quality traits in rabbits
  • 10.6 Selection Experiments
    • 10.6.1 Selection for growth
    • 10.6.2 Selection for feed efficiency
    • 10.6.3 Consequences of selection for growth rate or feed efficiency
      • 10.6.3.1 Changes in adult weight
      • 10.6.3.2 Changes in feed conversion rate
      • 10.6.3.3 Changes in carcass quality
      • 10.6.3.4 Changes in meat quality
    • 10.6.4 Selection for increasing muscle volume
    • 10.6.5 Selection for intramuscular fat content
  • 10.7 Genomics in Rabbit Growth, Carcass and Meat Quality
    • 10.7.1 Genome-wide association studies for growth, carcass and meat quality in rabbits
    • 10.7.2 Rabbit metagenomics for growth, carcass and meat-quality traits
    • 10.7.3 Genomic selection for meat-quality traits
  • References
• 11 Biology of Reproduction and Reproduction Technologies in the Rabbit
  • 11.1 Introduction
  • 11.2 Gonadogenesis
  • 11.3 Reproduction in the Male
    • 11.3.1 Sperm cell
    • 11.3.2 Sperm membrane
    • 11.3.3 Sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction
    • 11.3.4 Seminal granules (SGs), ejaculate and daily sperm production
    • 11.3.5 Buck and semen
      • 11.3.5.1 Factors influencing semen production
  • 11.4 Reproduction in the Female
    • 11.4.1 Estrous synchronization and ovulation
    • 11.4.2 Luteal function and pseudopregnancy
    • 11.4.3 Breeding strategies
      • 11.4.3.1 Induction of ovulation
      • 11.4.3.2 Sexual receptivity
  • 11.5 Modern ReproductiveTechnologies
    • 11.5.1 Cryopreservation of embryos
    • 11.5.2 Cryopreservation of rabbit spermatozoa
      • 11.5.2.1 Semen freezing in the straws (French method)
      • 15.5.2.2 Semen freezing in the PELLETS (Japanese method)
    • 11.5.3 Embryo development and losses
    • 11.5.4 Superovulation and collection of rabbit embryos and embryo transfer
  • 11.6 Feto-placental Development, Growth and Parturition
  • 11.7 The Rabbit Model in the ­Toxicology of Pregnancy and in the Developmental Origins of Health and Diseases
  • References
• 12 Genetics of Reproduction in the Rabbit
  • 12.1 Genetics of Reproduction Traits
  • 12.2 Fertility
    • 12.2.1 Between-breed/line variation
    • 12.2.2 Within-line variation
    • 12.2.3 Relationship with other traits
  • 12.3 Semen Production and Quality
    • 12.3.1 Between-breed/line variation
    • 12.3.2 Within-line variation
    • 12.3.3 Relationship with other traits
  • 12.4 Prolificacy
    • 12.4.1 Between-breed/line variation
    • 12.4.2 Within-line variation
    • 12.4.3 Relationship with other traits
  • 12.5 Components of Prolificacy
    • 12.5.1 Within-line variation
      • 12.5.1.1 Relationship between litter size, ovulation rate and prenatal survival
  • 12.6 Selection Experiments
    • 12.6.1 Selection for uterine capacity
    • 12.6.2 Selection for ovulation rate
    • 12.6.3 Selection for ovulation rate and litter size
  • 12.7 Homogeneity and Residual Variance
    • 12.7.1 Residual variance of litter size
    • 12.7.2 Residual variance of birth weight
  • 12.8 Length of Productive Life
    • 12.8.1 Between-breed/line variation
    • 12.8.2 Within-line variation
    • 12.8.3 Selection experiments
    • 12.8.4 Relationships with other traits
  • References
• 13 Genetic Improvement in the Meat Rabbit
  • 13.1 Introduction
  • 13.2 Rabbit Production Schemes
    • 13.2.1 Crossbreeding schemes
    • 13.2.2 Schemes based on multi-purpose lines
  • 13.3 Development of Lines
    • 13.3.1 Criteria for the development of new lines
    • 13.3.2 Criteria and methods of selection – paternal lines
      • 13.3.2.1 The current approaches
      • 13.3.2.2 Alternative approaches
    • 13.3.3 Criteria and methods of selection – maternal lines
      • 13.3.3.1 The current approaches
      • 13.3.3.2 Alternative approaches
    • 13.3.4 Responses to selection
      • 13.3.4.1 Within-line responses
      • 13.3.4.2 Crossbred responses
  • 13.4 Dissemination of the Genetic Improvement
  • 13.5 Perspectives of the Genomic Selection
  • References
• 14 Rabbit Research in the Post-genomic Era: Transcriptome, Proteome and Metabolome Analyses
  • 14.1 Introduction
  • 14.2 Transcriptomics
    • 14.2.1 Microarrays: general principles, applications and case studies in the rabbit
      • 14.2.1.1 Performing a microarray experiment
      • 14.2.1.2 Arrays for rabbit analysis
      • 14.2.1.3 Target preparation
      • 14.2.1.4 Hybridization to the array
      • 14.2.1.5 Data analysis for a microarray experiment
    • 14.2.2 RNA sequencing application in rabbits
  • 14.3 Proteomics
    • 14.3.1 Principles and methodologies in proteomics: a brief introduction
    • 14.3.2 Proteomics in rabbit skeletal muscle research
  • 14.4 Metabolomics
  • 14.5 Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
• 15 Methods to Create Transgenic and Genome-edited Rabbits
  • 15.1 Introduction
  • 15.2 Pronucleus Microinjection
  • 15.3 Artificial Chromosome-type Transgenesis
  • 15.4 Lentiviral Transgenesis
  • 15.5 Transposon-mediated Transgenesis
  • 15.6 The Role of Somatic Nuclear Transfer in Rabbit Transgenesis
  • 15.7 Adenoviral Transduction into Rabbit Somatic Cells for Local In Vivo Gene Transfer
  • 15.8 Genome Editor/Designer Nucleases
  • 15.9 The Influence of Transgene Expression on Productivity Traits
    • 15.9.1 Effect of transgene expression on milk quality and lactation
    • 15.9.2 Meat quality of transgenic rabbits
  • 15.10 Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
• 16 Pluripotent Stem Cells in Rabbits
  • 16.1 Introduction
  • 16.2 Genome Modifications in Rabbits
    • 16.2.1 Modelling human diseases in rabbits
    • 16.2.2 Modelling human early developmentin rabbits
    • 16.2.3 Rabbits as bioreactors
    • 16.2.4 Transgenesis in rabbits
    • 16.2.5 Rabbit iPSCs and the preservation of genetic resources
  • 16.3 Rabbit Embryonic Stem Cells (Rabbit ESCs)
    • 16.3.1 Derivation of rabbit ESCs
    • 16.3.2 Characterization of rabbit ESCs
    • 16.3.3 Signalling pathways in rabbit ESCs
  • 16.4 Rabbit Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (Rabbit iPSCs)
    • 16.4.1 Reprogramming of somatic cells into rabbit iPSCs
    • 16.4.2 Characterization of rabbit iPSCs
  • 16.5 Transcription Factors and miRNAsInvolved in Rabbit Pluripotency
    • 16.5.1 Naïve versus primed states of pluripotency
    • 16.5.2 Transcriptome of rabbit ESCs and rabbit iPSCs
    • 16.5.3 miRNAsome of rabbit ESCs and iPSCs
  • 16.6 In Vitro Differentiation of Rabbit ESCs and iPSCs
  • 16.7 Current Bottlenecks
  • 16.8 Conclusion
  • References
• 17 Biotechnology Applications in the Rabbit
  • 17.1 Introduction
  • 17.2 Transgenic Rabbits for Biotechnology Applications
    • 17.2.1 Targeted production of pharmaceutical proteins
    • 17.2.2 The purification steps of recombinant proteins from milk and other tissues
    • 17.2.3 Animal systems and tissues used to produce recombinant proteins
  • 17.3 Rabbit Antibodies
  • 17.4 Biotechnology Applications: Cryopreservation of Rabbit Lines
  • 17.5 Concluding Remarks
  • References
• 18 The Rabbit as a Biomedical Model
  • 18.1 Introduction
  • 18.2 Rabbit Models for Atherosclerosis
  • 18.3 Rabbit Models for Heart Disease
  • 18.4 Rabbit Models for Alzheimer’s Disease
  • 18.5 Rabbit Models for Ophthalmological Research
  • 18.6 Rabbit Models for Osteoarthritis
  • 18.7 Rabbit Models for Infectious and Autoimmune Disease
  • 18.8 Rabbit Models for Studying Reproductive Physiology
  • 18.9 Respiratory System
    • 18.9.1 Asthma and COPD
    • 18.9.2 Cough
    • 18.9.3 Tuberculosis
  • References
• Index
• Back Cover