• Animal Bioscience
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• 제36권6호
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• pp.929-942
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• 2023

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of β-glucan with vitamin E supplementation on the growth performance, blood profiles, immune response, pork quality, pork flavor, and economic benefit in growing and finishing pigs. Methods: A total of 140 growing pigs ([Yorkshire×Landrace]×Duroc) were assigned to five treatments considering sex and initial body weight (BW) in 4 replications with 7 pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design. The experimental diets included a corn-soybean meal-based basal diet with or without 0.05% or 0.1% β-glucan and 0.02% vitamin E. The pigs were fed the diets for 12 weeks (phase I, 0 to 3; phase II, 3 to 6; phase III, 6 to 9; phase IV, 9 to 12). The BW and feed intake were measured at the end of each phase. Blood samples were collected at the end of each phase. Four pigs from each treatment were selected and slaughtered for meat quality. Economic benefit was calculated considering the total feed intake and feed price. Pork flavor was analyzed through inosine monophosphate analysis. Results: The average daily gain and feed efficiency were improved compared to the control when β-glucan or vitamin E was added. Supplementing 0.05% β-glucan significantly increased the lymphocyte concentration compared to the addition of 0.1% β-glucan and the content of vitamin E in the blood increased when 0.02% vitamin E was added. The treatment with 0.1% β-glucan and 0.02% vitamin E showed the most economic effect because it had the shortest days to market weight and the lowest total feed cost. The addition of β-glucan or vitamin E had a positive role in improving the flavor of pork when considering that the content of inosine monophosphate was increased. However, carcass traits and meat quality were not affected by β-glucan or vitamin E. Conclusion: The addition of 0.1% β-glucan with 0.02% vitamin E in growing and finishing pig diets showed great growth performance and economic effects by supplying vitamin E efficiently and by improving the health condition of pigs due to β-glucan.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제35권10호
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• pp.1512-1523
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• 2022

Objective: The growth of pigs involves multiple regulatory mechanisms, and modern molecular breeding techniques can be used to understand the skeletal muscle growth and development to promote the selection process of pigs. This study aims to explore candidate lncRNAs and mRNAs related to skeletal muscle growth and development among Duroc pigs with different average daily gain (ADG). Methods: A total of 8 pigs were selected and divided into two groups: H group (high-ADG) and L group (low-ADG). And followed by whole transcriptome sequencing to identify differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs and mRNAs. Results: In RNA-seq, 703 DE mRNAs (263 up-regulated and 440 down-regulated) and 74 DE lncRNAs (45 up-regulated and 29 down-regulated) were identified. In addition, 1,418 Transcription factors (TFs) were found. Compared with mRNAs, lncRNAs had fewer exons, shorter transcript length and open reading frame length. DE mRNAs and DE lncRNAs can form 417 lncRNA-mRNA pairs (antisense, cis and trans). DE mRNAs and target genes of lncRNAs were enriched in cellular processes, biological regulation, and regulation of biological processes. In addition, quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis was used to detect the functions of DE mRNAs and lncRNAs, the most of DE mRNAs and target genes of lncRNAs were enriched in QTLs related to growth traits and skeletal muscle development. In single-nucleotide polymorphism/insertion-deletion (SNP/INDEL) analysis, 1,081,182 SNP and 131,721 INDEL were found, and transition was more than transversion. Over 60% of percentage were skipped exon events among alternative splicing events. Conclusion: The results showed that different ADG among Duroc pigs with the same diet maybe due to the DE mRNAs and DE lncRNAs related to skeletal muscle growth and development.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.382-390
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• 2015

This work was conducted to investigate the performance and meat characteristics of commercial Korean native duck (KND). A total of 180 1-d-old ducklings of 2-way crossbreds from A and B lines (from National Institute of Animal Science) were used in this work and divided into 4 groups (3 replicates/group, 15 birds/replicate). The four groups were 4 crossbreds as AA (A line [♀]${\times}$A line [♂]), AB (A line [♀]${\times}$B line [♂]), BB (Pure line B strains) and BA (B strains [♀]${\times}$A strain [♂]). Ducks were fed diets based on corn-soybean meal for 0 to 3 wk (22.4% crude protein [CP], 2,945 kcal/kg metabolizable energy [ME]) and 3 to 8 wk (18.4% CP, 3,047 kcal/kg ME). As a result of this study, average body weight of 4 crossbreds were 625, 1,617, 2,466, and 2,836 g at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks, respectively, and significantly increased over the period of time (p<0.05). Body weight of BB group was greater than other crossbreds at the age of 6 weeks (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in weekly body weight gains (p<0.05), which were 573, 991, 850, and 371 g at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks old, respectively. Uniformity of 4 crossbreds was 84.9%, 80.5%, and 72.5% at 6, 7, and 8 weeks, respectively, and there was no difference among crossbreds. Body weight gain of BB crossbred was highest among crossbreds (p<0.05). Weekly feed intake significantly increased with weeks as 669, 1,839, 2,812, and 3,381 g at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks respectively (p<0.05). Feed intakes of AA and BB crossbreds were higher at 2 to 4 weeks old than others and that of BB crossbred was highest at 4 to 6 weeks old (p<0.05). Weekly feed conversion ratios were 1.17, 1.86, 3.32, and 9.37 at 0 to 2, 2 to 4, 4 to 6, and 6 to 8 weeks old, respectively, and it increased with age (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in feed conversion ratio among crossbreds. Carcass yields of 4 crossbreds were 73.6%, 71.6%, 73.5%, and 71.7%, respectively, so there was no significant difference among crossbreds. There was no difference in wing, neck, breast and leg ratios among crossbreds. However, back ratios of 4 crossbreds were 17.6%, 18.0%, 15.8%, and 17.6%, respectively, and back ratio of BB was the highest among crossbreds. Finally, these results may provide the basic data on the production, carcass quality, fatty acid and amino acid composition of commercial KND with 2-way crossbreeding.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.438-447
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• 2017

개화는 배추종 작물의 생산성과 연관된 중요 발달 특성 중 하나이다. 이식 후, 갑작스러운 저온에 노출되어 때이른 개화를 하게 되면 수확되는 생산물의 양과 질이 떨어지게 된다. 따라서, 개화조절 메커니즘을 이해하는 것은 배추 종 작물의 농업적 생산성을 향상시키는데 도움을 줄 것이다. 춘화는 배추과 작물에서 일반적으로 알려져 있는 개화를 유도하는 중요한 요소이다. 그러나 옐로우 사순이나 코마수나와 같은 배추 아종은 춘화처리 없이도 개화한다. 1일을 주기로 하여 생물의 생리기작을 조절하는 생체시계 유전자는 일장감응형의 개화 조절에 중요한 역할을 하지만 춘화처리를 통해 개화를 유도하는 기작과도 연관되어 있다. 본 논문에서는 22개의 배추 아종을 개화에 춘화처리가 필요한 춘화형과 춘화처리 없이도 개화하는 비춘화형으로 나누어 보존된 생체시계 유전자, BrPRR1 군의 염기서열 분석을 수행하였다. 그 중 BrPRR1b 유전자의 결손 영역으로 춘화형과 비춘화형 두 그룹을 구분할 수 있었다. 이 서열변이를 증폭할 수 있는 PCR 프라이머를 디자인하여 비춘화형 배추 아종에서는 451 bp의 긴밴드를, 춘화형 배추에서는 422 bp의 작은 크기의 밴드를 증폭할 수 있었다. 이 프라이머 세트는 43개 배추 아종과 4개의 배추속 작물, 브로콜리, 양배추, 갓, 그리고 유채의 개화형을 구분하는데 적용되었다. 각 작물의 PCR 결과와 개화시기에 대한 정보를 통하여 프라이머 세트가 개화형을 판별할 수 있는 마커로 이용될 수 있음이 확인되었다. 이 마커시스템은 배추 종 작물 육종에 유묘 단계에서 개화형을 판단하는데 이용할 수 을 것이다. 또한 이 결과들은 생체시계 유전자가 배추 종 작물의 개화를 조절하는 좋은 전략이 될 수 있음을 보여주었다.

• 한국가금학회지
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.1-5
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• 1981

2000년대 Broiler육종기술의 전망은 개량 역사로 보아 비교적 짧은 기간의 예측이라고 할 수 있다. Broiler의 본격적인 육종은 1945년경부터 시작되었는데 지금까지의 개량진도는 놀랄 만큼 향상되었다. 앞으로의 개량방향과 기대효과는 지금까지의 개량진도를 고찰하고 앞으로 개발될 육종기술의 추찰에 따라 추정될 것이다. 1. Broiler육종의 개량진도 (1) 성장률은 매年 4 -5%외 개량효과를 가져왔으며 (2) 사료효율도 매년 약1%의 향상을 가져왔다. (3) 부로일라의 복부지방 축적에 대한 개선이 요구되고 있으며 (4) 소비성향으로 보아 부분육 해체판매가 유망시되어 살부침이 양호한 닭으로 개량되어야할 것이다. (5) 다수수, 밀사의 환경조건에 알맞는 강건하고 온순한 체질로 개량되어야 하며 이로 인하여 사료효율 향상도 도모할 수 있을 것이다. (6) 모계통 육종에 있어서 산육능력라 기타 경제형질은 대부분 부의 유전상관을 가지고 있음이 밝혀졌으며 (7) 모계통의 산묘능력(연산묘수160개)과 부화율은 상당 수준의 개량을 가져왔다. (8) 부계통의 육종은 앞으로 더욱 성장률이 빠르고 산육능력이 높은 대형종으로 개량될 것으로 추측된다. 2. 앞으로 육종개발될 방향과 전망 : 앞으로의 육종기술의 개발은 추측에 지나지 않으나 선진국에서 연구하고 있는 방향을 소개하면 다음과 같다. (1) 칠면조와 닭과의 교배와 같이 앞으로 종간교배종이 이루어질 가능성이 엿보이며 (2) 생화학의 발달로 혈액형의 구명이 육종진도를 가속화 할 수 있을 것이다. (3) 방사성 동위원소와 화학물질의 이용으로 돌연변이를 일으켜 지금까지 없던 새로운 인자를 작출할 수 있을 것이며 (4) 나체성, 주익우 흠제인자 등을 이용하여 우모로 전환되는 영양소의 절감으로 사료효율를 향상시킬 수도 있을 것이다. (5) 사양환경의 개선이 또한 Broiler의 발육속도와 사료효율 등을 개량할 것으로 추측된다.e의 pattern을 paper chromatography로 확인한 바 2개의 효소단백질 Band는 동일한 작용 pattern을 나타내었다. 5. Soluble starch로부터 생성되는 유일한 초기 가수분해산물은 maltohexaose이었다. system 내의 주요 subsystem의 하나로서 활발히 움직이고 있다. 그러나 만약 기업의 외부환경에서 초래되는 stress, 즉 주민의 소득저하, 타 recreation 산업이 쇠퇴하게 되면 이 공업 또한 쇠퇴될 것이다. 요컨대 담수 지향성과 관련된 입지상의 특색을 제외하고는 연구지역의 소규모 boat 공업은 타 소규모 공업과 동일한 입지상의 특색을 가지고 있다.및 성안 등이 비교적 낮았고 기타 품종은 중정도였으며, 대체로 단백질함량이 높았던 품종들이 지방함량이 낮은 경향이었다. 7. 단백질과 지방함량기간의 상관은 5월 25일 파종에서 고도의 부의 상관(r=-0.5914)이나 6월10일과 6월 25일 상관에서 각각 r=-0.3038과 -0.2975로 부의 상관경향만을 보여 파종기에 따란 상관의 정도가 약간 달랐다. 8. 10a당 종실수량은 6월10일 파종(100%)에 비해 5월 25일 파종에서 104%로 그 착 적었으나, 6월 25일 파종에서는 76%로 만파에 의한 감수정도가 컸다. 품종별 수량은 5월 25일 파종에서 동산7003, Hill 및 Williams, 6월 10일 파종에서 동산 6001, 동산 7003, Williams 및 Hill 등이 대비품종인 광교에 비해 유의증수하였고, 6월 25일 파종에서는 동산 7003만이 증수하였다. 조생종서천백묘, H-25)은 어느 파종기에서나 가장 낮은 수량이였다. 9. 만파(6월 25일 파종)에 의한 감수정도를 기준하여 내만식성정도를 분류하면 광교, 수원8003, 동산69호, 성안, H-25 및 Harosoy 등은 컸고 수원8006, 수원9003, 서천백묘, 강림, 동산 7003,

• 한국가금학회지
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.211-218
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• 1988

산난종계의 주요 경제형질인 산난양의 개량은 단기검정에 의한 조기선발이 실용화되고 있는 바 산난수에 대하여 조기선발 하였을 경우 조기선발의 최적시기 및 조기선발에서 기대되는 상관적 선발효율을 알아본 결과는 다음과 같다. 1. 2계통의 일반능력을 조사란 평균치는 초산일령에서 150.5 일과 159.1 일이었고 조기산란수는 W계통에서 후기산란수는 B계통에서 더 많이 산란하였고 총산란수는 두 계통 모두 272개로 비슷하게 산란하였다. 2. 초산일령과 산란수에 대한 유전력 및 표준오차 추정치는 두 계통에서 전자매분산성분으로 추정하였을 때 $0.37\pm0.09$~$0.49\pm0.10$과 $0.18\pm0.10$x~$0.33\pm0.08$로 추정되었다. 특히 산란수에 대한 추정치는 W계통은 모분산성분에 의한 추정치가, B계통에서는 부분산성분에 의한 추정치가 더 높았고 두 계통 모두 후기산란수에 대한 유전력보다 조기산란수에 대한 유전력이 더 높게 추정되었다. 3. 각 조사형질들 간의 유전상관 및 표준오차의 추정결과는 W와 B계통에서 전자매공분산성분에 의하여 추정하였을 때 조기산란수와의 유전상관에 있어서 후기산란수는 $0.46\pm0.15$와 $0.39\pm0.16$, 총산란수는 $0.77\pm0.07$와 $0.76\pm0.08$ 초산일령은 -$0.77\pm0.06$와 $-0.82\pm0.05$이었고 후기산란수와는 총산란수는 $0.92\pm0.03$과 $0.89\pm0.04$로 비교적 높게 추정되었으며 초산일영령 $-0.11\pm0.17$과 $-0.15\pm0.18$로 미약한 원의 상관을 보였다. 총산란수와 초산일령과의 유전상관은 W계통에서 $-0.41\pm0.13$과 B계통에서 -$0.50\pm$0.13으로 모두 원의 상관을 보여 산란수에 준한 선발은 초산일영을 단축시킨다는 것을 추측할 수 있다. 4. 선발효율의 추정결과는 초산 시부터 40주령까지의 산란수에 의하여 선발하는 것이 가장 효율적인 것으로 추정되었으나 (1.69와 1.80) 이 시기의 산란수에 의하여 선발하였을 경우 초산일령과의 견전상관을 고려할 때 초산일영을 크게 단축시킬 것으로 사료되며 또한 초산일령의 단축으로 인한 난중의 감소 및 자료수집에 필요한 경비 등을 고려할 때 31주령 이후, 특히 31주령부터 40주령까지의 산란기녹에 의하여 선발하는 것이 바람직 할 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.171-182
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• 2018

파파야는 열대와 아열대 지역에서 광범위하게 재배되고 있는 주요 작물 중의 하나이다. 파파야 열매는 칼로리가 낮고 비타민 A와 C, 미네랄이 풍부하며, 미숙과에는 단백질 분해 효소인 파파인이 풍부하여 의약품, 화장품, 식품 가공 산업 등에 널리 활용되고 있다. 전세계 파파야 산업에서 가장 중요한 제한 요인 중의 하나가 potyvirus에 속하는 papaya ringspot virus (PRSV)에 의해 야기되는 식물병이다. 1992년에 미국 연구자들에 의해 PRSV의 coat protein (cp) 유전자를 발현하는 최초의 PRSV-저항성 GM 파파야 이벤트($R_0$ '55-1')가 만들어졌으며, 1997년에는 이로부터 유래한 GM 품종('SunUp', 'Rainbow')에 대해 미국 정부가 상업적 재배를 승인하였다. 현재까지 GM 파파야 개발은 해충 저항성, 병 저항성(곰팡이, 바이러스), 수확 후 저장성 증대, 알루미늄과 제초제 저항성 등의 형질에 초점을 맞추어 왔다. 아울러 파파야를 동물단백질(백신 등) 생산을 위한 식물공장으로 활용하기 위한 시도도 이루어졌다. 현재, 미국과 중국을 비롯한 약 17개 국가에서 GM 파파야 개발과 포장 실험 또는 상업적 재배가 이루어지고 있다. GM 파파야의 개발과 더불어 생물안전성 평가 및 GM 판별 기술 개발에 관한 연구도 이루어지고 있다. 생물안전성 평가와 관련하여 주로 인체 위해성과 환경 위해성에 관한 분석이 수행되고 있다. 인체 위해성의 경우, 동물 모델을 대상으로 장기간 식이섭취를 통해 일반 및 유전 독성, 알레르기항원성, 면역 반응, GM 유래 단백질의 안정성에 관한 연구가 수행되었다. 환경 위해성의 경우, GM 재배가 토양 미생물 다양성에 미치는 영향, GM 유래 유전물질의 토양 잔류 및 토양 미생물로의 전이 여부에 관한 연구가 이루어졌다. 우리나라, 유럽 및 일본을 비롯한 많은 나라에서는 상업적 재배를 위한 GM 품종 도입이나, 파파야 가공 식품 제조에 비승인 GM 파파야의 사용을 규제하고 있다. 도입 유전자 특이적 또는 이벤트 특이적인 분자표지를 개발하고, PCR(일반, real-time) 또는 loop-mediated isothermal amplification 방법을 통해 GM 여부를 판별하고 있다. 파파야에 대한 초안 수준의 유전체 정보가 2008년에 해독되었으며, 최근에는 차세대 유전체 분석 기술로 확보된 유전체와 전사체 정보를 활용하여 GM 여부를 판별하는 기술도 확립되었다.

• 한국작물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국작물학회 2017년도 9th Asian Crop Science Association conference
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• pp.323-323
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• 2017

In many sub-Saharan African countries, boosting rice production is a pressing food security issue. To contribute to the increase in rice production, we have developed lines of NERICA 1 introgressed with the gene for spikelet number, Gn1a, and the gene for primary rachis-branch number, WFP by cross breeding. The performance of rice lines introgressed with the genes for yield related traits can be affected by cultivation environment and management. Thus, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the lines of NERICA 1 introgressed with Gn1a or/and WFP for yield and yield components under different nitrogen fertilization conditions in Kenya. A field trial was conducted at a paddy field in Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization-Mwea, Kirinyaga County ($0^{\circ}39^{\prime}S$, $0^{\circ}20^{\prime}E$) from August 2016 to January 2017. Eight lines of NERICA 1 introgressed with Gn1a and/or WFP, and their parents, NERICA 1 and ST12, were grown under 0 (NF) and $75(SF)kg\;N\;ha^{-1}$. At maturity, five hills per plot were harvested to determine the yield and yield components. The number of primary and secondary rachis-branches per panicle was measured on the longest panicle in each hill. Under SF, the introgression of WFP to NERICA 1 increased the number of primary and secondary rachis-branches by 27 and 25%, respectively. On the other hand, Gn1a did not increase the number of primary rachis-branches, whereas the number of secondary rachis-branches was increased by 38% on average. The number of primary and secondary rachis-branches of the lines introgressed with both genes increased by 25 and 56%, respectively. Although grain number per panicle increased 33% by Gn1a, 34% by WFP, and 43% by Gn1a+WFP, the yield increase by Gn1a, WFP, and Gn1a+WFP was only 14, 7, and 14%, respectively. The suppression of the yield increase was mainly attributed to the decline in the filled grain ratio. Under NF, WFP increased the number of primary and secondary rachis-branches by 20 and 19%, respectively. The introgression of both genes increased the former and the later by 19 and 35%, respectively. However, Gn1a did not change them under NF. Thus, even under NF, grain yield increased 11% by WFP and 24% by Gn1a+WFP due to the increased grain number although filled grain ratio declined. Our findings suggest that the introgression of Gn1a and WFP could contribute to the rice productivity improvement in sub-Saharan Africa even under low fertility conditions. Improving filled grain ratio of the lines introgressed with these genes by further breeding and fertilization management will be the focus of subsequent work.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제26권6호
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• pp.845-855
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• 2013

Requirements of dietary chloride (dCl) and chloride salts were determined by using $4{\times}2$ factorial arrangement under four phase feeding program. Four levels (0.31, 0.45, 0.59 and 0.73%) and two sources ($NH_4Cl$ and $CaCl_2$) of the dCl were allocated to 1,472 chicks in eight dietary treatments in which each treatment was replicated four times with 46 birds per replicate. The four phase feeding program was comprised of four dietary phases: Prestarter (d 1 to 10), Starter (d 11 to 20), Grower (d 21 to 33) and Finisher (d 34 to 42); and diets were separately prepared for each phase. The cations, anions, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS) and salinity were analyzed in drinking water and were not affected by dietary treatments. BW gain (BWG; $p{\leq}0.009$) and feed:gain (FG; $p{\leq}0.03$) were improved in $CaCl_2$ supplemented diets during d 1 to 10. The maximum response of BWG and FG was observed at 0.38% and 0.42% dCl, respectively, for d 34 to 42. However, the level of dCl for BWG during d 21 to 33 ($p{\leq}0.04$) and d 34 to 42 ($p{\leq}0.009$) was optimized at 0.60% and 0.42%, respectively. The level of dCl for optimized feed intake (FI; $p{\leq}0.006$), FG ($p{\leq}0.007$) and litter moisture (LM; $p{\leq}0.001$) was observed at 0.60%, 0.38% and 0.73%, respectively, for d 1 to 42. Water intake (DWI) was not affected by increasing dCl supplementation (p>0.05); however, the ratio between DWI and FI (DWI:FI) was found highest at 0.73% dCl during d 1 to 10 ($p{\leq}0.05$) and d 21 to 33 ($p{\leq}0.009$). Except for d 34 to 42 ($p{\leq}0.006$), the increasing level of dCl did not result in a significant difference in mortality during any phase. Blood pH and glucose, and breast and thigh weights (percentage of dressed weight) were improved while dressing percentage (DP) and gastrointestinal health were exacerbated with $NH_4Cl$ as compared to $CaCl_2$ supplemented diets ($p{\leq}0.001$). Higher plasma $Na^+$ and $HCO_3{^-}$ and lower $Cl^-$ and $Ca^{{+}{+}}$ were observed in $NH_4Cl$ supplemented diets ($p{\leq}0.001$). Increasing supplementation of dCl increased plasma $Cl^-$ ($p{\leq}0.04$; quadratically) and linearly reduced plasma $K^+$ ($p{\leq}0.001$), $Ca^{{+}{+}}$ ($p{\leq}0.003$), $HCO_3{^-}$ ($p{\leq}0.001$), and $Na^+$ ($p{\leq}0.001$; quadratically). Consequently, higher requirements of dietary chloride are suggested for feed intake; nevertheless, lower levels of dietary chloride are sufficient to support optimal BWG and FG with increasing age. The $NH_4Cl$ supplemented diets ameliorate breast and thigh meat yield along with overall energy balance (glucose).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제15권6호
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• pp.812-820
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• 2002

An experiment was conducted on 190 progeny (winter -74; summer -59; rainy -57) of 12 Grey Giant rabbits (10 female +2 males), to assess the effect of different seasons in a year, on their reproductive, growth and productive performances along with feed efficiency, under sub-temperate Himalayan conditions. The daily meteorological attributes recorded during winter (October to March), summer (April to June) and rainy (July to September) seasons, and analysed were minimum and maximum temperature, relative humidity and rainfall. Various biological parameters recorded were doe weights at mating and kindling, litter size at birth, litter weight at birth, kit mortality, litter size at weaning, litter weight at weaning, weekly body weight up to 98 d and weaner mortality. Individual weight gains, dressing percentages, meat weights, liver weights, raw-pelt weights, processed pelt weights and processed pelt areas at slaughter on d 84 and 98, respectively were also recorded. The feed and fodder compositions and their nutritive values during different seasons were also analysed. Average ambient temperature during winter, summer and rainy seasons were $13.2{\pm}2.8$, $22.4{\pm}3.7$ and $24.8{\pm}2.3^{\circ}C$, respectively. The average relative humidity and total rainfall for winter, summer and rainy seasons were $68.9{\pm}1.5$% and $48{\pm}26.6$mm, $66.3{\pm}4.8$% and $125.6{\pm}56.8$ mm, and $77.3{\pm}1.3$% and $116.3{\pm}90.4$ mm, respectively. The weight of doe at mating and kindling, litter size at birth, litter weight at birth and litter size at weaning were comparatively higher whereas litter weight at weaning was significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter as compared to summer and rainy seasons. The kit mortality was significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter while the weaner mortality was significantly (p<0.05) higher during rainy season. At 84 d, the live weight per doe, slaughter weight, dressing percentage and liver weight were significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter than summer and rainy. Similarly, the gain in weight and meat weight at 84 and 98 d were significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter. The weight of raw pelt and processed pelt were recorded significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter while no difference in the area of processed pelts during different seasons could be observed. No difference in the biological performance could be observed between sexes in any of the seasons. Roughage analysis revealed comparatively higher crude protein percent and lower crude fibre percent during summer and rainy seasons than in winter. The roughage dry matter intake was comparatively higher during summer and rainy seasons vis-a-vis constant amount of concentrate supplied during all the three seasons. The digestibilities of dry matter was significantly (p<0.05) lower, whereas that of crude fiber, acid detergent fibre and cellulose were negative during winter. Interestingly, the feed:gain was exceedingly well during winter than in other seasons and it is concluded that it was the best season for production of rabbits under sub-temperate Himalayan conditions.