Genetic and phenotypic parameters for Aleutian disease tests and their correlations with pelt quality, reproductive performance, packed-cell volume, and harvest length in mink

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guoyu Hu ◽  
Duy Ngoc Do ◽  
Karim Karimi ◽  
Younes Miar
Keyword(s):  
Cell Volume ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Packed Cell Volume ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay

Abstract Aleutian disease (AD), caused by the Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV), is a major health concern that results in global economic losses to the mink industry. The unsatisfactory outcome of the culling strategy, immunoprophylaxis, and medical treatment in controlling AD have urged mink farmers to select AD resilient mink based on several detection tests, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIEP), and iodine agglutination test (IAT). However, the genetic analysis of these AD tests and their correlations with pelt quality, reproductive performance, packed-cell volume (PCV), and harvest length (HL) have not been investigated. In this study, data on 5,824 mink were used to estimate the genetic and phenotypic parameters of four AD tests, including two systems of ELISA, CIEP, and IAT, and their genetic and phenotypic correlations with two pelt quality, five female reproductive performance, PCV, and HL traits. Significances (P<0.05) of fixed effects (sex, year, dam age, and color type), covariates (age at harvest and blood sampling ), and random effects (additive genetic, permanent environmental, and maternal effects) were determined under univariate models using ASReml 4.1 software. The genetic and phenotypic parameters for all traits were estimated under bivariate models using ASReml 4.1 software. Estimated heritabilities (±SE) were 0.39±0.06, 0.61±0.07, 0.11±0.07, and 0.26±0.05 for AMDV antigen-based ELISA (ELISA-G), AMDV capsid protein-based ELISA, CIEP, and IAT, respectively. The ELISA-G also showed a moderate repeatability (0.58±0.04) and had significant negative genetic correlations (±SE) with reproductive performance traits (from -0.41±0.16 to -0.49±0.12), PCV (-0.53±0.09), and HL (-0.45±0.16). These results indicated that ELISA-G had the potential to be applied as an indicator trait for genetic selection of AD resilient mink in AD endemic ranches, and therefore help mink farmers to reduce the adverse effects caused by AD.

18 Genetic and Phenotypic Parameters for Aleutian Disease Tests and Their Correlations with Pelt Quality, Reproductive Performance, Packed-cell Volume, and Harvest Length in Mink

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 8-9
Author(s):  
Guoyu Hu ◽  
Duy Ngoc Do ◽  
Karim Karimi ◽  
Younes Miar
Keyword(s):  
Cell Volume ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Packed Cell Volume ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Complex Disease ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract Aleutian disease (AD) is an untreatable immune complex disease in mink and brings tremendous economic losses to the mink industry globally. The ineffectiveness of culling, immunoprophylaxis, and medical treatment in controlling AD have urged mink farmers to select AD-resilient mink based on the AD tests. However, the genetic analysis of these tests and their correlations with AD-resilient traits have not been investigated. In this study, data on 5,824 mink were used to estimate the genetic and phenotypic parameters of four AD tests, including two systems of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIEP), and iodine agglutination test (IAT), and their genetic and phenotypic correlations with pelt quality, reproductive performance, packed-cell volume (PCV), and harvest length (HL). Significance (P < 0.05) of fixed effects (sex, year, color type, the number of mating, and dam age), covariates (age at blood sampling and age at harvest), and random effects (additive genetic, permanent environmental, and maternal effects) were determined using univariate models. The genetic and phenotypic parameters for all traits were estimated under bivariate models using ASReml 4.1. Estimated heritabilities (±SE) were 0.39±0.05, 0.61±0.07, 0.11±0.07, and 0.26±0.05 for antigen-based ELISA (ELISA-G), virus capsid protein-based ELISA, CIEP, and IAT, respectively. The ELISA-G showed moderate repeatability (0.58±0.04) and significant (P < 0.05) negative genetic correlations (±SE) with reproductive performance traits (from -0.41±0.16 to -0.49±0.12), PCV (-0.53±0.09), and HL (-0.45±0.16). These results indicated that the selection of mink with a lower ELISA-G score could not only decrease the anti-AMDV antibody level and the extent of anemia but also improve the female reproductive performance and the harvest length of mink without causing adverse influences on the pelt quality. Hence, ELISA-G could be applied as an indicator for genetic selection of AD-resilient mink and help mink farmers reduce the adverse effects of AD.

scholarly journals 197 Utilization of Katahdin rams with lower fecal egg count estimated breeding values improves parasite resistance and fitness traits of progeny

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 78-78
Author(s):  
Andrew R Weaver ◽  
Donald L Wright ◽  
Scott P Greiner ◽  
Scott A Bowdridge
Keyword(s):  
Cell Volume ◽  
Packed Cell Volume ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Breeding Value ◽  
Parasite Resistance ◽  
Internal Parasite ◽  
Fecal Egg Count

Abstract Genetic selection for internal parasite resistance in sheep is a valuable tool to mitigate effects of parasitism especially when significant within breed variability exists. To better understand the mechanism underpinning this variability, a divergent mating scheme was established. Katahdin rams (n = 4) were selected based on their estimated breeding value (EBV) for fecal egg count (FEC) and grouped as numerically high (HiFEC; n = 2) or low (LoFEC; n = 2). Rams were randomly mated to Katahdin ewes at the Southwest Virginia Agriculture Research and Extension Center. Lambs were born mid-March and managed as one group, then weaned in mid-June. Lambs were transported to the WVU Animal Sciences Farm where they were randomly allocated to four pens with even distribution of sire and sex. All lambs (n = 109) were infected with 10,000 H. contortus L3 and the infection persisted for 5 weeks. Weights, FEC, and packed cell volume (PCV) were collected weekly. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mixed Model procedure and repeated measures in SAS with fixed effects of sire group. Weaning FEC was numerically greater for HiFEC-sired lambs vs. LoFEC-sired lambs (2914 vs. 1821 eggs/g; respectively). However, death loss for HiFEC-sired lambs tended to be almost twice that of LoFEC-sired lambs (20% vs. 11%, P = 0.09; respectively). Weaning weights did not differ. Fecal egg count from the prepatent to patent period was greater in HiFEC vs. LoFEC-sired lambs (210 vs. 34 eggs/g; P = 0.05). Packed cell volume was numerically lower in HiFEC-sired lambs. There were no differences in post-weaning growth, ultrasound fat thickness, or loin depth in lambs from divergent sire groups. These data indicate that utilizing LoFEC EBV sires reduces FEC and improves disease resistance in progeny without affecting growth or carcass traits

scholarly journals 12 Genetic and phenotypic parameters for Aleutian disease tests and their correlations with growth and pelt quality traits in American mink

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 17-18
Author(s):  
Guoyu Hu ◽  
Duy Ngoc Do ◽  
Janine Gray ◽  
Karim Karimi ◽  
Younes Miar
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
American Mink ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Direct Selection ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Quality Traits ◽  
Genetically Improved ◽  
Significant Heritability ◽  
Improvement Programs ◽  
Selection For

Abstract Aleutian disease brings tremendous financial losses to the mink industry. The ineffective immunoprophylaxis, medication, and culling strategies have urged the mink industry to select mink with low quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (qELISA) score or negative counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIEP) test result. However, little is known about the heritabilities of qELISA and CEIP as well as their relationships with growth and pelt quality traits. The traits, including qELISA, CIEP, body length at harvest (HLEN), the size of dried pelt (SIZE), the overall quality of dried pelt (QUA), and the nap length of dried pelt (NAP), were measured on 1,683 American mink from the Canadian Center for Fur Animal Research (Nova Scotia, Canada) and Millbank Fur Farm (Ontario, Canada). Significance (P < 0.05) of fixed effects (sex, farm, age, and color) and random effects (common litter, permanent environment, and dam) were determined by univariate analyses, while genetic and phenotypic parameters for all traits were estimated under bivariate analyses using ASREML 4.1. Estimated heritabilities (±SE) were 0.41±0.07 for qELISA, 0.06±0.06 for CIEP, 0.39±0.06 for HLEN, 0.46±0.07 for SIZE, 0.25±0.06 for QUA, and 0.46±0.08 for NAP. The qELISA showed non-significant (P > 0.05) genetic correlations with HLEN (0.05±0.13) and dried pelt traits (0.02±0.18 with SIZE, -0.21±0.20 with QUA, and -0.13±0.16 with NAP). The CIEP only showed a significant (P < 0.05) negative genetic correlation with SIZE (-0.85±0.33). The moderate-to-high heritabilities of qELISA, HLEN, SIZE, QUA, and NAP indicated that these traits can be genetically improved through a genetic/genomic selection. The low and non-significant heritability of CIEP indicated the ineffectiveness of direct selection for this trait. The estimated genetic parameters for qELISA suggested that selection for lower qELISA scores may not interfere with the selection of pelt size and quality in the genetic improvement programs of American mink.

Polymorphisms associated with the number of live-born piglets in sows infected with the PRRS virus in southern Sonora Mexico

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 828-847
Author(s):  
Carlos Martín Aguilar-Trejo ◽  
Guillermo Luna-Nevárez ◽  
Javier Rolando Reyna-Granados ◽  
Ricardo Zamorano-Algandar ◽  
Javier Alonso Romo-Rubio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Substitution Effects ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Swine Industry ◽  
Prrs Virus

The porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a viral disease that decreases the reproductive performance in breeding sows and leads to economic losses to the swine industry. The objective of the present study was to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated to the number of live-born piglets in the first (LBP1) and second birth (LBP2) in breeding sows exposed to PRRS virus. The study included 100 pregnant females of the Landrace(¾)/ Yorkshire(¼) line, 75 of which were infected with the PRRS virus and 25 were free of PRRS. Individual blood samples (6-8 drops) were obtained and spotted onto FTA cards and subsequently processed for DNA extraction, which was genotyped using a 10,000 SNP chip for genomic profile. Resulting genotypes were analyzed using a multi-locus mixed model that detected three SNP associated to LBP1 and five SNP associated to LBP2 (P<0.001). These eight SNP were validated using an associative mixed effects model which included the terms genotype and age of dam as fixed effects, and sire as random effect. Allele substitution effects were estimated using the same model including the term genotype as covariate. The SNP rs81276080, rs81334603 and rs80947173 were associated to LBP1 (P<0.001), whereas the SNP rs81364943, rs80859829, rs80895640, rs80893794 and rs81245908 were associated to LBP2 (P<0.001). Only two SNP were in functional chromosomal regions and the remainder SNP were within an intergenic position. In conclusion, these results suggest the existence of gene variants associated with the reproductive performance of sows infected with the PRRS virus.

Estimates of genetic and phenotypic parameters for production, haematological and gastrointestinal nematode-associated traits in Australian cashmere goats

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 123 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Olayemi ◽  
S. Bolormaa ◽  
J. H. J. van der Werf ◽  
N. Baillie ◽  
L. F. Le Jambre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Volume ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Packed Cell Volume ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Gastrointestinal Nematode ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Female Progeny ◽  
Phenotypic Marker ◽  
Cashmere Goats

The present study was designed to estimate genetic parameters of 17 production, parasite-associated and haematological traits in Australian cashmere goats. It comprised 796 records of female progeny of 532 dams sired by 29 bucks over a 4-year period. Measurement of haematological and parasite-associated traits was carried out on female kids during low-level natural gastrointestinal nematode challenge at 3 and 5 months of age and at 28 and/or 35 days after artificial challenge with 10 000 infective larvae of Trichostrongylus colubriformis administered 1 week after the 5-month measurement. Production traits were measured up to 18 months of age. Year of birth significantly affected all traits apart from cashmere diameter (CSD). Twin kids had significantly lower liveweight (up to 10 months), packed cell volume and mean corpuscular volume (at 3 and 5 months) but higher specific IgG levels and mean corpuscular haemoglobin content at 3 months. Paddock of birth and early rearing and its interaction with year of birth had significant effects on worm egg count (WEC) during natural challenge, on IgG at both natural and post-artificial challenge measurements and on liveweight at early ages. The level of gastrointestinal nematode challenge in the nine different paddocks clearly influenced both WEC and IgG during natural and subsequent artificial challenge. Maternal permanent environmental effects were important only for liveweights at 3 month of age and for IgG at 5 months of age. For other traits, a simple animal model without maternal permanent environmental effects gave the best fit. Estimates of heritability (h2) of WEC and IgG were low (0.06–0.22) with the highest h2 estimates occurring after 5 months of natural infection or 35 days after artificial challenge. The majority of fleece traits were moderately to highly heritable, ranging from 0.38 to 0.78. The h2 estimates for mean fibre curvature are novel for cashmere goats and were moderate, varying from 0.32 to 0.48. Heritability estimates for erythrocyte traits were uniformly high (0.49–0.98) while those for leukocyte traits varied from low to moderate (0.09–0.43). Strong genetic and phenotypic correlations existed between major production traits. Due to the comparatively small dataset, the standard errors of genetic correlations were relatively high. CSD was positively correlated with cashmere weight and yield, an unfavourable direction. CSD was negatively correlated with fibre curvature, indicating that animals producing finer fibres produce cashmere with a higher crimp count. No phenotypic relationships were observed between WEC and fleece traits. Liveweight was weakly but negatively correlated with WEC and circulating neutrophils, while it was positively associated with eosinophils, lymphocytes and packed cell volume. This study has shown that selection for increased resistance to gastrointestinal nematode infection cashmere goats is possible but progress will be slow. WEC should remain the phenotypic marker of choice and the additional cost of alternative measures of resistance is not justified. Many of the parasite-associated traits appear to under independent genetic control.

scholarly journals Cobalamin, Folate and Pyridoxal 5- Phosphate Level of Smokers in Calabar Cross River State

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 15s-15s
Author(s):  
I. Okafor ◽  
G. Uzoma ◽  
L. Nvani
Keyword(s):  
Cell Volume ◽  
Packed Cell Volume ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Phosphate Level ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Cigarette Smokers ◽  
Major Health Problem ◽  
Cross River ◽  
Cross River State ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: Smoking among individuals remains a major health problem worldwide as it is associated with certain disease conditions and decrease in concentration of several vitamins. Aim: This study was aimed at providing information on cobalamin, folate and pyridoxal 5-phosphate levels of male cigarette smokers within Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Methods: Ninety adult male subjects participated in the study with 60 as cigarette smokers and 30 as nonsmokers. Serum cobalamin and folate levels were estimated using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay technique while packed cell volume was estimated using microhematocrit method. Vitamin B6 status was determined using fasting plasma concentrations of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate. Plasma PLP was measured by quantification of its semicarbazide derivative using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Results: Results show that male cigarette smokers had significantly higher packed cell volume ( P = 0.014) and serum cobalamin ( P = 0.005) and there was no significant difference in folate level of cigarette smokers ( P = 0.375) when compared with noncigarette smokers. Pyridoxal 5-phosphate was found to be significantly higher ( P = 0.00) in nonsmokers when compared with smokers. It was also shown that duration of smoking does not have significant effect on the serum level of cobalamin (0.09), folate ( P = 0.06) and pyridoxal 5-phosphate (0.15) respectively. The result also show that there was no significant correlation ( P = 0.095, 0.085 and 0.197) between number of sticks smoked per day and serum cobalamin, folate and pyridoxal 5-phosphate level of male cigarette smokers respectively. Conclusion: While smoking is known to have hazardous effect on health, this study has shown that smoking and duration of smoking does not affect serum cobalamin, folate and pyridoxal 5-phosphate level of male cigarette smokers living within Calabar Cross River State, Nigeria.

Genetic aspects of cold resistance and related characters in newborn Merino lambs

1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 175 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Slee ◽  
G Alexander ◽  
LR Bradley ◽  
N Jackson ◽  
D Stevens
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Cold Resistance ◽  
Selection Index ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Skin Thickness ◽  
Significant Other ◽  
Manual Palpation ◽  
Rate Of Recovery ◽  
Body Cooling

Resistance to body cooling and rate of recovery from induced hypothermia were measured in 287 single, newborn Merino lambs from 24 different sire families, using a water bath test in which partly immersed lambs were progressively cooled. Birth weight, birthcoat type (fine-hairy) and skin thickness were recorded at the time of test. There was an unexpected occurrence of congenital goitre, the incidence and severity of which was estimated by manual palpation of the thyroid gland. Heritability (� s.e.) of cold resistance (CR), estimated by paternal half-sib analysis, was 0.70 � 0.25. Sex of lamb, type of weather, time of test, Fecundin treatment and age of ewe were fitted in the model as fixed effects but none were significant. Other heritable traits (h2 � s.e.) included birthweight (0.50 � 0.22), birthcoat grade (0.61 � 0.24), coat depth (0.62 � 0.24), skin thickness (0.35 � 0.19) and the severity of goitre (0.21 � 0.16). Significant genetic correlations (r �s.e.) between cold resistance and other traits were: birthweight, +0.76 � 0.18; birthcoat grade, +0.56 � 0.24; birthcoat depth, +0.56 � 0.24; skin thickness, +0.51 � 0.27; goitre, -0.58 � 0.40. Most of the corresponding phenotypic correlations were small. Goitre did not affect CR significantly, despite the genetic correlation between them. Heritability of CR, further adjusted for the effects of birthweight, birthcoat grade and depth, and skin thickness as covariates, was 0.55 � 0.23. About 40% of the variation in CR was accounted for by fitting fixed effects and covariates, but significant sire effects remained. Rate of recovery from hypothermia was not heritable and it was unrelated to any other variable except goitre, which tended to be associated with slower recovery (rp = 0.18). It was concluded that genetic selection for increased CR would succeed but would promote birthcoat hairiness unless a corrective selection index was used. The relationship between birthcoat type and CR was considered to be mediated by genes affecting both coat type and CR, not primarily by a direct effect of coat insulation.

129 Genomic Relationship Between PRRSV Wild-type Infection and PRRSV Vaccination for Antibody Response and Reproductive Performance

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 18-18
Author(s):  
Leticia P Sanglard ◽  
Felipe Hickmann ◽  
Yijian Huang ◽  
Kent A Gray ◽  
Daniel Linhares ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibody Response ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Respiratory Syndrome Virus ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Large White ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Indicator Trait ◽  
Type Infection

Abstract Immunoglobulin G antibody response, measured as sample-to-positive (S/P) ratio, to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSV) has been proposed as an indicator trait for improved reproductive performance in PRRSV-infected purebred sows and PRRSV-vaccinated crossbred gilts. In this study, we investigated the genetic correlations (rg) of S/P ratio following a PRRSV outbreak and PRRSV-vaccination with performance in non-exposed and PRRSV-exposed sows. PRRSV outbreak phase was defined based on previously described methodologies after the detection of typical clinical signs of PRRSV infection. 541 Landrace sows had S/P ratio measured at ~54 days after the beginning of the PRRSV outbreak (S/Poutbreak), and 906 Landrace x Large White naïve F1 gilts had S/P ratio measured at ~50 days after vaccination with a commercial modified live PRRSV vaccine (S/PVx). 711 and 428 Landrace sows had reproductive performance recorded before and during the PRRSV outbreak, respectively. 811 vaccinated F1 animals had farrowing performance for up to 3 parities. All animals were genotyped for ~28K SNPs. The estimate of rg of S/Poutbreakwith S/PVx was high (rg±SE = 0.72±0.18). Estimates of rg of S/Poutbreak with reproductive performance in F1 sows were low to moderate, ranging from 0.05±0.23 (number stillborn) to 0.30±0.20 (total number born). Estimates of rg of S/PVxwith reproductive performance in non-infected purebred sows were moderate and favorable with number born alive (0.50±0.23), but low (0 to -0.11±0.23) with litter mortality traits. Estimates of rg of S/PVx were moderate and negative (-0.47±0.18) with the number of mummies in PRRSV-infected purebred sows and low with other traits (-0.29±0.18 for total number born to 0.05±0.18 for number stillborn). These results indicate that selection for antibody response following a PRRSV outbreak collected in purebred sows and to PRRSV vaccination collected in commercial crossbred gilts may increase litter size of non-infected and PRRSV-exposed purebred and commercial crossbred sows.

scholarly journals Prediction of meat quality traits in the abattoir using portable near-infrared spectrometers: heritability of predicted traits and genetic correlations with laboratory-measured traits

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Savoia ◽  
Andrea Albera ◽  
Alberto Brugiapaglia ◽  
Liliana Di Stasio ◽  
Alessio Cecchinato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Meat Quality ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
External Validation ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Quality Traits ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Meat Quality Traits ◽  
Color Traits ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract Background The possibility of assessing meat quality traits over the meat chain is strongly limited, especially in the context of selective breeding which requires a large number of phenotypes. The main objective of this study was to investigate the suitability of portable infrared spectrometers for phenotyping beef cattle aiming to genetically improving the quality of their meat. Meat quality traits (pH, color, water holding capacity, tenderness) were appraised on rib eye muscle samples of 1,327 Piemontese young bulls using traditional (i.e., reference/gold standard) laboratory analyses; the same traits were also predicted from spectra acquired at the abattoir on the intact muscle surface of the same animals 1 d after slaughtering. Genetic parameters were estimated for both laboratory measures of meat quality traits and their spectra-based predictions. Results The prediction performances of the calibration equations, assessed through external validation, were satisfactory for color traits (R2 from 0.52 to 0.80), low for pH and purge losses (R2 around 0.30), and very poor for cooking losses and tenderness (R2 below 0.20). Except for lightness and purge losses, the heritability estimates of most of the predicted traits were lower than those of the measured traits while the genetic correlations between measured and predicted traits were high (average value 0.81). Conclusions Results showed that NIRS predictions of color traits, pH, and purge losses could be used as indicator traits for the indirect genetic selection of the reference quality phenotypes. Results for cooking losses were less effective, while the NIR predictions of tenderness were affected by a relatively high uncertainty of estimate. Overall, genetic selection of some meat quality traits, whose direct phenotyping is difficult, can benefit of the application of infrared spectrometers technology.

scholarly journals 88 Benefits of increasing amino acid intake in late gestation in prolific sows

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 76-76
Author(s):  
Ron Ball ◽  
Crystal L Levesque ◽  
D J Cadogan
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Essential Amino Acid ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Amino Acid Levels ◽  
The Many

Abstract Most sows are fed a constant energy and amino acid supply throughout gestation, in line with the recommendations of most authorities and swine genetic companies. These recommendations for sow feeding have seen little change in decades, despite the many ways that sows have changed dramatically in reproductive performance. Beginning in about the year 2000, sow litter size has steadily increased as a result of genetic selection. With this increase in litter number has been a steady decline in birth weight, and the resulting negative effects of lower birthweight on subsequent piglet performance. Many experiments using so-called ‘bump’ feeding, or increased energy intake in late gestation, have been conducted in attempts to arrest this decline in birthweight and piglet performance. Generally, these experiments have shown little to no improvement in birthweight and often have negative effects on sow feed intake during gestation. These experiments have ignored the fact that the energy:amino acid ratios (lysine, threonine, isoleucine, tryptophan) in late gestation are different than during early and mid-gestation. In recent research in Australia we hypothesised that rapidly increasing essential amino acid levels in late gestation would increase birth weight and potentially improve subsequent reproductive performance. Three hundred and thirty-four multiparous PIC sows (average parity 3.6, average LW 261 kg) were housed in a dynamic gestation pen after mating and randomly assigned to one of two diet regimes. Two 13.5 MJ/kg DE gestation diets were formulated and created by blending in an ESF. The Control diet contained 0.48 g SID lysine per MJ DE and SID threonine, methionine+ cysteine, isoleucine and tryptophan at 68%, 65%, 58% and18% of SID lysine and offered at 2.2kg/day from d 28 to d 110. Sow were then moved to the farrowing house and placed on a lactation diet at 3.5kg/d. The Treatment diet contained 0.55 g SID lysine/MJ DE and SID threonine, methionine+cysteine, isoleucine and tryptophan at 78%, 65%, 60% and 20% of SID lysine and offered at 2.1kg/d from d 28 to d 85 and then increased to 2.4 kg/d to d 110 d. Increasing essential amino acid levels in late gestation increased gestational weight gain (5.6 kg, P=0.004), increased total litter birth weight (1.25 kg, P=0.003), and increased the birthweight of liveborn pigs from 1.286 to 1.329 kg, (P=0.04). There was no significant effect on the total number born or born alive. Piglet performance is not available because this commercial farm practices cross-fostering. Effects of continuation of this feeding regime in the same sows during subsequent parities is currently being evaluated.

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