Re: Cornell University Rabbit Size Study

[The Hurst Family]

Yes, we could help

Laurel Hurst
702 Mae Street
Kent OH 44240

I will pass this on to AKC dog and rabbit breeders I know.

Laurel

On Wed, Apr 13, 2011 at 2:55 PM, Sutter Dog Genetics Lab <sutt...@cornell.edu> wrote:

Dear Rabbit Breeder,

My name is Eve Waters and I’m an undergraduate researcher at Cornell University in the laboratory of Nathan Sutter. We study the genetics of body size and shape in domestic mammals including the dog, horse and rabbit. I want to find the genes that help determine the different body types in rabbit breeds. What genes make rabbits grow large or small?

I’d like your help!

Would you provide body measurements from a few of your rabbits? We need samples from every rabbit breed. Email the laboratory to sign up and we’ll send you the measurement kit with an illustrated protocol and tape measure. You can collect the measurements as you have time. We also ask for a small sample of pulled hairs and a cheek cell sample (these are sources of DNA). Please also contact us if you know other breeders or owners who might like to help.

Thank you so much for making this research possible.


Our very best,


Eve Waters

Undergraduate Researcher


Nathan Sutter, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Medical Genetics
Cornell University
College of Veterinary Medicine
Phone: 607.253.3592
Email: sutt...@cornell.edu


More information:


I first became interested in rabbit body types when I started breeding Holland Lops twelve years ago and gained an appreciation for the variation in body type, size and shape between rabbit breeds. For example, the slender full arched Britannia Petite is very different from the semi-arched Flemish Giant. The Netherland Dwarf and Polish are only 2-3.5 pounds at maturity while French Lops often weigh more than 12 pounds.


After you indicate your interest and supply your mailing address, we’ll provide an illustrated protocol.  It will show you how to collect the 10 body measurements (head length, ear length, chest circumference, etc.).  Measurements are collected in inches. The kit includes instructions and a checklist for the materials you send back to us and we’re available by email and phone to give assistance. We obtain your signed consent to collect the data you provide and we will maintain confidentiality with regard to the data (as detailed on the consent form included in the measurement packet we send).


By exploring the genetics of body size and shape in the rabbit, we aim to contribute to both lagomorph and human biology. Studies like ours will also increase understanding of traits important to conformation and show performance.


Contributing samples is simple and your rabbits are valuable to our research. Please also let us know if you’d like to measure your AKC registered dogs or your registered horses; we have ongoing studies in each of those species as well.


Thank you!

Sutter Dog|Rabbit|Horse Genetics Lab
sutt...@cornell.edu

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Laurel & David

Jacob, Micah, Ada and Leta Hurst

Portage County

http://AyreRabbitry.webs.com

Rex, Silver Fox and Jersey Wooly

330-990-1289