scholarly journals Reproduction Indicators Related to Litter Size and Reproduction Cycle Length Among Sows of Breeds Considered Maternal and Paternal Components Kept on Medium-Size Farms

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1164
Author(s):  
Błażej Nowak ◽  
Anna Mucha ◽  
Magdalena Moska ◽  
Wojciech Kruszyński

The present research aimed to study twelve reproductive indicators related to litter size and the farrowing interval for three maternal (Polish Large White, Polish Landrace, and Yorkshire) and three paternal (Duroc, Berkshire, Hampshire) breeds, raised on two farms in Poland and a farm in the United States. The study included 196 sows (45 Polish Large White, 37 Polish Landrace, 26 Berkshire, 33 Duroc, 40 Yorkshire, and 15 Hampshire), which altogether gave birth to 736 litters. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to verify the influence of the breed on the reproductive traits, with a post-hoc procedure for pairwise comparisons implemented in the pgirmes of R. The adegenet, ade4, and factoextra packages of R were used to conduct multivariate analysis of the traits by means of principal component analysis. The breed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) influenced the following traits related to litter size: the total number of piglets born per litter, the number and percentage of piglets born alive per litter, the percentage of stillborn piglets per litter, the number and percentage of weaned piglets per litter; and those related to the farrowing interval: the lengths of gestation, lactation, the farrowing-to-conception interval, and the farrowing interval. The breed did not statistically significantly influence the number of stillborn piglets per litter and the length of the weaning-to-conception interval. Polish Landrace and Polish Large White sows had the highest numbers of born (for both, the mean of 14.0), born alive (12.9 and 12.7), and weaned piglets (11.5 and 10.5), which statistically significantly differed from these parameters in the other breeds. Polish Landrace sows significantly differed from all the other breeds in terms of the percentage of weaned piglets (84.1%), while Berkshire sows in terms of gestation length (118.4 days).

1972 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. H. FAHMY ◽  
C. S. BERNARD

The associations between 15 preweaning traits in pigs were studied to determine which had the most important effects on litter weights at birth and weaning. The traits were litter size at birth and weaning, number born alive, percentage survival to birth and weaning, pig and litter weights at birth and weaning, daily gain from birth to weaning, gestation length, number of teats, weights of dam at farrowing and at weaning, and the change in dam weight during lactation. Of the 105 correlations, 66 were statistically significant, though many were markedly low. Litter weights at birth and weaning were significantly and relatively highly correlated with most of the other traits, whereas number of teats was correlated only with survival rates at birth and weaning and pig birth weight. The results showed that the importance of litter size was almost twice that of pig weight in determining litter weights at birth and weaning. The results in general indicated that most of the economically important traits related to swine reproductivity are favorably associated.


2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (No. 6) ◽  
pp. 205-212
Author(s):  
Błażej Nowak ◽  
Anna Mucha ◽  
Wojciech Kruszyński ◽  
Magdalena Moska

The study estimated phenotypic correlations between reproductive traits in sows classified as maternal (Polish Large White, Polish Landrace, and Yorkshire) and paternal (Duroc, Berkshire, and Hampshire) components, kept on farms located in Poland and in the United States. Altogether, it used data on 736 litters from 196 sows to analyse traits related to litter and reproductive cycle length. The former included litter size, the numbers and the percentages of piglets born alive, stillborn, and weaned; the latter included gestation length, lactation length, and the lengths of weaning-to-conception, farrowing-to-conception, and farrowing intervals. The strongest positive correlations between the litter-related traits were those between litter size and the number of piglets born alive (0.90), the number and the percentage of piglets born alive (0.88), the numbers of piglets born alive and weaned (0.78), and litter size and the number of weaned piglets (0.68); the strongest negative correlations were between the percentage of piglets born alive and the percentage (−0.95) and the number (−0.82) of stillborn piglets. Among the traits related to reproductive cycle length, the strongest positive correlations were those between the length of weaning-to-conception interval and the lengths of farrowing-to-conception (0.96) and farrowing (0.97) intervals, and between the length of farrowing-to-conception interval and farrowing interval (0.98). Gestation length and lactation length were weakly negatively correlated (−0.25). Correlation coefficients between the traits related to litter size from one side and reproductive cycle length from the other were low and mostly statistically non-significant, suggesting that using phenotypic correlations can help improve economically important reproductive traits, but only within the two above-mentioned groups of traits.


2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (No. 03) ◽  
pp. 109-117
Author(s):  
S Mencik ◽  
V Vukovic ◽  
M Spehar ◽  
M Modric ◽  
M Ostovic ◽  
...  

This study was aimed at analysing single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the oestrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) genes in a hyperprolific line of Landrace × Large White (Topigs 20) cross sows (n = 101). The following litter size traits were analysed: total number born, number of born alive and number of weaned piglets. ESR1 and RBP4 genotypes determined on the basis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms were analysed using the least square method with the GLM procedure in SAS with eight effects. The REG procedure was used to calculate the effects of the additive and dominance components. The second parity sows with ESR1 BB genotype had a significantly higher (P < 0.05) number of weaned piglets compared to AB, with a tendency towards difference (P < 0.1) between homozygotes for number of born alive and number of weaned piglets. In the case of the RBP4 gene, the first parity sows of the AA genotype had a significantly higher total number born (P < 0.05) compared with the BB genotype, with a tendency towards difference (P < 0.1) between AA and heterozygotes for total number born, and homozygotes for number of born alive. The BB genotype showed a tendency for higher number of weaned piglets (P < 0.1) as compared with the AA genotype in the third parity sows for the RBP4 gene. In all parities, significant effects (P < 0.05) of parity were recorded for total number born, number of born alive and number of weaned piglets, season of farrowing for total number born, and the ESR1 and RBP4 interaction for number of born alive. In the first parity sows, significant effects (P < 0.05) on total number born were determined for gene interaction and gestation length, the latter also being recorded in the second parity sows. The additive (a) effect of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in RBP4 was significant (P < 0.05) for total number born in all parities as well as in the first parity sows, and dominance effect (d) (P < 0.05) of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in ESR1 for number of weaned piglets in the third parity sows. The obtained results regarding the investigated genes could help to provide a better understanding of the effect of single-nucleotide polymorphisms on litter size and thus promote genetic progress in pig reproduction management.


Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 591
Author(s):  
Błażej Nowak ◽  
Anna Mucha ◽  
Magdalena Moska ◽  
Magdalena Zatoń-Dobrowolska ◽  
Wojciech Kruszyński

The study aimed to analyze 12 microsatellite markers located in the areas of quantitative trait loci related to litter size in 82 sows, including 45 Polish Large White and 37 Polish Landrace sows, kept on a farm in southwest Poland. Breeding documentation provided data on the total number of piglets born per litter and the numbers of live-born, stillborn and weaned piglets; the corresponding percentage values were also calculated. DNA isolation was performed from 15–20 hairs taken from live animals, and the markers used in the research were divided into four multiplexes. The influence of genotype at a given locus on the reproductive traits was analyzed only for genotypes represented by at least five animals. The results of the analyses for all the sows (treated as the maternal component and not as distinct breeds) showed statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences between the genotypes and the values of the analyzed traits for markers S0008, SW160, SW245, SW714, SW1125 and SW2411. Among these markers, the breed-dependent analysis also showed significant differences in the Polish Large White breed for markers S0008, SW160 and SW1125, and in the Polish Landrace breed for SW245. Additionally, the breed-dependent analysis found significant differences in markers SW903 and SW1808 for the Polish Large White sows, and S0064, SW472 and SW903 in Polish Landrace sows. SW903 was the only marker for which differences in the analyzed reproductive traits differed between genotypes in both breeds (still analyzed separately), although in terms of different traits. The above results indicate the usefulness of microsatellite markers in researching the differentiation of litter size indicators. Although both breeds belong to the maternal component, they showed significant differences in terms of markers. This may suggest difficulties in finding universal (that is, working well for various breeds of the maternal component) markers, indicating the need to look for breed-specific markers, something that calls for further research into numerous animals.


Author(s):  
N Fetherstone ◽  
N McHugh ◽  
T M Boland ◽  
F M McGovern

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the ewe’s maternal genetic merit and country of origin (New Zealand or Ireland) on ewe reproductive, lambing and productivity traits. The study was performed over a four year period (2016 to 2019) and consisted of three genetic groups: high maternal genetic merit New Zealand (NZ), high maternal genetic merit Irish (High Irish) and low maternal genetic merit Irish (Low Irish) ewes. Each group contained 30 Suffolk and 30 Texel ewes, selected based on the respective national maternal genetic indexes; i.e. either the New Zealand Maternal Worth (New Zealand group) or the €uro-star Replacement index (Irish groups). The impact of maternal genetic merit on reproductive traits such as litter size; lambing traits such as gestation length, birth weight, lambing difficulty, mothering ability, and productivity traits such as the number of lambs born and weaned were analyzed using linear mixed models. For binary traits, the impact of maternal genetic merit on reproductive traits such as conception to first AI service; lambing traits such as dystocia, perinatal lamb mortality and productivity traits such as ewe survival were analyzed using logistic regression. New Zealand ewes outperformed Low Irish ewes for conception to first AI (P<0.05) and litter size (P=0.05). Irish ewes were more likely to suffer from dystocia (6.84 (High Irish) and 8.25 (Low Irish) times) compared to NZ ewes (P<0.001); birth weight and perinatal mortality did not differ between groups (P>0.05). Lambs born from NZ ewes were 4.67 (95% CI: 1.89 to 11.55; P<0.001) and 6.54 (95% CI: 2.56 to 16.71; P<0.001) times more likely to stand up and suckle unassisted relative to lambs born from High or Low Irish ewes, respectively. New Zealand and High Irish ewes had a greater number of lambs born and weaned throughout the duration of the study compared to their Low Irish counterparts (P<0.001). New Zealand ewes tended to be more likely to survive from one year to the next compared to Low Irish ewes (P=0.07). Irish ewes of high maternal genetic merit outperformed their Low counterparts in total number of lambs born and weaned per ewe, but performance did not differ across other traits investigated. This highlights the importance of continuous development of the Irish maternal sheep index to ensure favourable improvements in reproductive, lambing and productivity traits at farm level. Overall, results demonstrate the suitability of NZ genetics in an Irish production system.


2015 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 317-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Kumchoo ◽  
S. Mekchay

Abstract. Osteopontin (OPN) gene is a secreted phosphoprotein which appears to play a key function in the conceptus implantation, placentation and maintenance of pregnancy in pigs. The objectives of this study were to verify the non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their association with litter size traits in commercial Thai Large White pigs. A total of 320 Thai Large White sows were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Three SNPs at c.425G> A, c.573T> C and c.881C> T revealed amino acid exchange rates of p.110Ala> Thr, p.159Val> Ala and p.262Pro> Ser, respectively, and were then segregated. These three SNPs were significantly associated with total number born (TNB) and number born alive (NBA) traits. No polymorphisms of the two SNP markers (c.278A> G and c.452T> G) were observed in this study. Moreover, the SNPs at c.425G> A and c.573T> C were found to be in strong linkage disequilibrium. The association of OPN with litter size emphasizes the importance of porcine OPN as a candidate gene for reproductive traits in pig breeding.


2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 434-441
Author(s):  
R. Klimas ◽  
A. Klimienė ◽  
W. Sobotka ◽  
W. Kozera ◽  
P. Matusevičius

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of parity on reproductive performance by sows of different breeds. The sows were raised on three farms, and had seven or more litters of not fewer than seven piglets. A total of 1511 litters from various parities of Lithuanian White (N =721), Large White (N = 162) and Landrace (N = 628) sows were contained in the data that were used in this study. Multiparous sows had larger litters than primiparous sows. Piglet survival rate declined from parity 7. An increase in litter size was observed until parity 5 in Large White and until parity 6 in improved Lithuanian White (P <0.05). In comparison with parity 1, Landrace sows up to parity 5 showed not only increased prolificacy, but also increased number and litter weight of piglets at 21 days old, and the number and litter weight of weaned piglets (P <0.01). The current findings indicate that sows of these breeds can be used effectively in breeding herds until parity 5 and parity 6.Keywords: Landrace, Large White, Lithuanian White, litter size


2016 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-131
Author(s):  
Dorota Napierała ◽  
Maria Kawęcka ◽  
Eugenia Jacyno ◽  
Beata Matysiak ◽  
Anita Kołodziej-Skalska

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the potential relationship between variants of the BF gene and litter size in Polish Landrace x Polish Large White sows. To identify polymorphism within the BF gene, the PCR-RFLP method was applied, using specific primers and the SmaI enzyme. The researchers identified the presence of two alleles, T and C, with frequencies: 0.68 and 0.32, giving three genotypes with frequencies: 0.49, 0.37 and 0.14, respectively for TT, TC and CC. Analysis of relationships between the various genotypes of the BF gene and selected reproductive traits showed significant differences. Sows with TT genotype in the BF locus, gave birth to significantly more live piglets in the first litter (10.24) compared with sows with the CC genotype (7.13).


2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 139-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.E. Li ◽  
S.Q. Mei ◽  
C.Y. Deng ◽  
S.W. Jiang ◽  
B. Zuo ◽  
...  

Microsatellite FSHBMS polymorphism at the 5’ flanking region of <I>FSHB</I> gene was genotyped and associations with reproductive traits in several pig populations and with reproductive tract components in the Large White × Meishan F<sub>2</sub> offspring were studied. The results showed that FSHBMS allele 98 carriers had a non-significantly higher total number born and number born alive in multiple parities; 118/118 animals had a significantly higher number of piglets at weaning than 98/98 and 98/118 animals (<I>P</I> < 0.05) and significantly higher litter weight at weaning and individual weight at weaning than 98/98 animals (<I>P</I> < 0.05). The 98/118 animals had the shortest gestation length (<I>P</I> < 0.05); the length of uterine horns and the length of oviducts of 98/98 individuals were shorter and longer, respectively, than those with 98/118 genotype (<I>P</I> < 0.05).


2010 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 497-499
Author(s):  
K. Kovacs ◽  
L. Fesus ◽  
A. Zsolnai ◽  
A. Nyiri ◽  
I. Anton

Abstract. Prolactin is an anterior pituitary hormone involved in many endocrine activities and plays and essential role in reproduction. Its receptor (PRLR) was detected in various tissues including brain, ovary, placenta, an uterus in several mammalian species (BOLE-FEYSOT et al. 1998). Reproductive performance of sows is a crutial point in pig production with significant economic importance and may be estimated with the help of markers. Porcine prolactin receptor gene is said to be a candidate genetic marker for reproductive traits. It has been mapped to porcine chromosome 16 (Vincent et al. 1997). There is a C/G SNP in PRLR gene (KMIEC et al. 2001) at the position of 203 (GAN: U96306) which eliminates an AluI cleavage site. The effect of this polymorphism on litter size in various breeds has been estimated (VINCENT et al. 1998, ROTHSCHILD et al. 1998, VAN RENS et al. 2002, KMIEC and TERMAN, 2004, DRÖGEMÜLLER et al. 2001, KORWIN-KOSSAKOWSKA et al. 2003). The influence of the bovine hormone variant was also estimated (RATNA-KUMARI et al. 2008). The aim of the study was to estimate PRLR AluI polymorphism effects on litter size in Hungarian Large White (HLW) and Hungarian Landrace (HL) breeds.


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