Background:

The danger of disappearance of the different unprotected genotypes in the Andean highlands of Ecuador forces us to study and propose conservation measures to maintain that biological richness that has enormous prospects for the feeding of humanity. The objective of the study was to compare the sizes and weights of the litters until the weaning of native Ecuadorian guinea pigs from the provinces of Azuay, Cañar and the improved line of Peru.

Methods:

The study was carried out in the experimental farm of Irquis of the Faculty of Agropecific Sciences of the University of Cuenca. The database was constructed with the records of breeders prospective among the farmers of the provinces of Azuay and Cañar, taking as a reference the phenotypic characteristics.

Results:

No significant differences were proved for the month of parturition or for the number of births or the genotype in the size of the litter at weaning. The Azuay did not differ from Peru in the size of the litter at birth (3.1 and 3.2 respectively). This one exceeded in the weight of the litter at birth and at weaning with 432 and 837 g at 313 and 570 g of Azuay, which does not differ from the Cañar genotype.

Conclusions:

The Creole genotypes of Azuay and Cañar showed inferiority in the traits related to birth weight and mortality compared to Peru. The Azuay does not differ from Peru or in litter size at birth or at weaning, this genotype manifested a potential that can be developed.