Interactive effects of selection for lower backfat and dietary pyridoxine levels on reproduction, and nutrient metabolism during the gestation period in Yorkshire and Hampshire sows

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. E. N. Knights ◽  
R. R. Grandhi ◽  
S. K. Baidoo
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Nitrogen Metabolism ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Gestation Period ◽  
Nutrient Metabolism ◽  
Selection For

Two experiments were conducted to determine the interactive effects of selection for lower backfat over six generations, and two dietary supplemental pyridoxine levels (1.0 vs. 15.0 ppm) on sow reproductive performance and nutrient metabolism in second-parity Yorkshire and Hampshire sows. Feeding increased pyridoxine at 16.0 vs. 2.6 ppm from day of weaning through gestation did not improve (P > 0.05) the sow reproductive performance in experiment 1 (N = 32) or 2 (N = 66). In exp. 2, feeding increased pyridoxine reduced the weaning to estrus interval (4.6 vs. 5.7 d, P = 0.11). It also increased the average daily apparent retention of nitrogen during gestation in both experiments 1 (17.2 vs. 7.8 g, P = 0.11) and 2 (10.5 vs. 5.0 g, P = 0.10). Sows fed increased pyridoxine had higher (P < 0.01) plasma pyridoxal and pyridoxic acid levels throughout the gestation period. The overall results indicate that increased dietary pyridoxine tended to have a positive influence on sow weaning to estrus interval and nitrogen metabolism, and it also tended to have a positive influence on litter size only in Yorkshire select line of sows. Key words: Breed, line, sows, pyridoxine, reproduction, metabolism

THE ACCUMULATIVE EFFECT OF FINNSHEEP BREEDING IN CROSSBREEDING SCHEMES: REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
MOHAMED H. FAHMY ◽  
JACQUES J. DUFOUR
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Genetic Groups ◽  
Linear Regressions ◽  
Size At Birth

Reproductive performance and body weight were studied on 361 ewes, representing Finnsheep (F), DLS (a population of 1/2 Dorset, 1/4 Leicester, 1/4 Suffolk) and seven combinations ranging from 1/8 to 7/8 Finnsheep breeding. Conception rate in yearlings was 61.5% for DLS compared to 89.0% for F with the crosses being intermediate. Conception rate in older ewes was similar in the different genetic groups (avg. 94%). Ovulation rate and litter size at birth of DLS ewes were 1.72 and 1.44 lambs, which was less than half those of F ewes (3.51 and 2.86 lambs, respectively). Both traits increased progressively with an increase in F breeding in crosses and with advances in age. DLS ewes weaned 1.22 lambs compared to 2.03 lambs for F ewes and 1.84 lambs for 4/8 F ewes. The heaviest litters at weaning (31.7 kg) were raised by 4/8 F ewes, followed by 7/8 F (30.8 kg) while those raised by DLS ewes weighed 23.0 kg and F ewes 29.1 kg. Percentage of ova lost per ewe mated averaged 24% and ranged between 18% (DLS and 1/8 F) and 29% (6/8 F). About 3.6% of lambs were born dead and a further 13.8% died before weaning. Preweaning mortality rate was highest in F (22.9%) and lowest in 3/8 F (9.4%). Average kilograms of lambs weaned per ewe exposed was highest in 4/8 F (27.6 kg) followed by F (26.0 kg), whereas that of DLS was the lowest at 18.1 kg. The 4/8 F cross showed 25% heterosis in kg of lambs weaned per ewe exposed and 52.5% increase over DLS. Significant positive linear regressions were calculated for ovulation rate, litter size and preweaning mortality rate on proportion of Finnsheep breeding in crosses. The relation was quadratic for percent ova lost and lamb mortality at weaning. Yearling DLS females weighted 36 kg compared to 44 kg for F yearlings. However, at 5 yr of age DLS ewes weighed 62 kg, 5 kg heavier than F ewes. The heaviest ewes at all ages were the 4/8 F (45 kg at 1 yr, 65 kg at 5 yr). Key words: Reproduction, DLS sheep, Finnsheep, crossbreeding, heterosis, repeatabilities

scholarly journals The influence of adding estradiol to semen on reproductive performance of sows

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 589-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. N. Kirkwood ◽  
P. A. Thacker
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
And Control ◽  
Estradiol 17Β

One hundred gilts and one hundred mixed-parity sows of Yorkshire and Landrace breeding were inseminated with semen with or without an additional 10 μg estradiol-17β. Pregnancy rates of gilts receiving estradiol-supplemented and control semen were 90 and 79%, respectively (P < 0.09). The estradiol supplementation of semen did not improve the pregnancy rates or litter size in sows. Key words: Swine, artificial insemination, estradiol

The influence of purified porcine relaxin on the reproductive performance of sows following artificial insemination with fresh or frozen semen

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 237-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Thacker ◽  
A. D. Gooneratne ◽  
R. N. Kirkwood
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Frozen Semen

Pregnancy rates and litter sizes following insemination of sows with fresh-extended and frozen-thawed semen averaged 71 vs. 53% and 10.6 vs. 4.4, respectively, and was not affected by the addition of 12.5 μg relaxin to semen. These results indicate no relaxin mediated effect on either pregnancy rate or litter size when sows are artificially inseminated with relaxin-supplemented semen. Key words: Artificial insemination, relaxin, sows

Effect of temperament and behavioural reactions to the presence of a human during the pre-mating period on reproductive performance in farmed mink (Mustela vison)

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. T. Korhonen ◽  
L. Jauhiainen ◽  
T. Rekil&auml
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Mating Behaviour ◽  
Mustela Vison ◽  
Gestation Period ◽  
Mating Period ◽  
Walking Test ◽  
Pooled Data ◽  
Walking Tests ◽  
The Relationship

The present study sought to evaluate the relationship between temperament, pre-mating behaviour and reproductive performance in farmed female mink (Mustela vison). Temperament was measured by using a stick test and behavioural reactions to the presence of a human during pre-mating period by a walking test. The experimental animals comprised 100 confident and 100 fearful scanblack female mink. In each temperament group, 58% of female mink were primiparous and 42% were multiparous. The length and timing of mating periods and the length of the gestation period were similar in all groups. Pooled data showed that the length of the gestation period correlated negatively with litter size (r = -0.17, P = 0.03). The whelping proportions for confident and fearful primiparous female mink were 81% and 74% (P = 0.37), respectively, and for multiparous females 83% and 81% (P = 0.78), respectively. The number of kits per mated and whelped female at parturition (P < 0.01 and P = 0.04, respectively) and at weaning (P < 0.01 and P = 0.07, respectively) was significantly higher in confident than in fearful females. A significant correlation between kit losses and litter size was found only in primiparous and multiparous confident females (r = 0.35, P = 0.02; r = 0.32, P = 0.07). Postnatal kit mortality was higher in primiparous confident females than fearful females. During walking tests, fearful animals, irrespective of age, remained in side the nest box more frequently than did confident ones. Stationary behaviour outside the cage (lying, sitting, standing, etc.) was more common in confident than in fearful animals (P < 0.001). Significant differences in locomotor activity or stereotypies were not found between the groups. In multiparous fearful females, the whelping result declined significantly with the increasing incidence of stereotypies (r = -0.37, P = 0.04). In primiparous fearful female mink, the relationship was the reverse (r = 0.37; P = 0.01). We conclude that the significant temperament dichotomy (confident vs. fearful) found in farmed mink stock has a marked effect on the reproductive performance of this species. Key words: Farm-bred mink, personality trait, temperament, reproductive performance, domestication

CROSSBREEDING SWINE: REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF SEVEN BREEDS OF SOWS BRED TO PRODUCE CROSSBRED PROGENY

1971 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 361-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. H. FAHMY ◽  
C. S. BERNARD ◽  
W. B. HOLTMANN
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Gestation Period ◽  
Suckling Period ◽  
Weaned Pigs ◽  
Mating Design ◽  
Litter Weight ◽  
Length Of Gestation

Data were obtained from 57 Yorkshire (Y), 44 Landrace (LD), 39 Lacombe (LC), 34 Hampshire (H), 21 Duroc (D), 19 Berkshire (B), and 7 Large Black (LB) gilts farrowing crossbred litters by LD, LC, H, D, B, LB and Tamworth (T) boars in a half polyallel mating design. The traits studied were weight at puberty, number of normal teats, number of services per conception, gestation period, litter size and weight at birth, 21 days and weaning (35 days), average pig weight, mortality rate at birth and during suckling, and change in dam’s weight during nursing. The effect of breed of dam was significant (P < 0.01) on all traits studied except weight at puberty, number of services per conception and mortality rates at birth and during suckling. Gestation period was significantly longer for B, LB and Y than for sows of other breeds. LB sows had the smallest and B the lightest litters, while the largest and heaviest litters at birth, 21 days and weaning were those from LC and Y sows. LC, LD and Y sows had more teats and lost more weight during nursing than other sows. The effect of breed of sire was nonsignificant for all the characters studied. Length of gestation was 0.08 days shorter, weaned litters 0.32 larger and 5.9 kg heavier, and weaned pigs 0.51 kg heavier for sows farrowing their second litter than for gilts. The partial regressions on age of dam at farrowing were not significant except for mortality rate during the suckling period, litter size, litter weight and average pig weight at birth. The crosses with the heaviest litters at weaning were T × LC, T × Y, LB × LD and D × Y, in that order.

EFFECT OF GESTATION HOUSING ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF YORKSHIRE AND YORKSHIRE × LACOMBE SOWS

1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 221-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. DYCK ◽  
J. H. STRAIN ◽  
E. E. SWIERSTRA
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Average Gain ◽  
Housing Environment

Forty-eight Yorkshire (Y) and 48 Yorkshire × Lacombe (YL) primiparous sows were used to evaluate the effect of outside lot and confinement housing from weaning to parturition on reproductive performance over the second to fourth parity. Feed intake of the sows housed in the outside lots was adjusted monthly to provide a similar average gain (54 kg) to that of sows housed in confinement (56 kg). All sows were bred by AI. Sows that did not conceive to mating at the first or second estrus were culled from the experiment. More (P < 0.05) sows housed in the outside lots than in confinement completed the experiment (77.1 vs. 52.1%, respectively). The number of sows that failed to conceive was similar for both treatments but 12 sows housed in confinement and one housed in outside lots were culled due to injury or death. The sows housed in outside lots weaned more (P < 0.01) piglets (8.42 ± 0.23 vs. 7.49 ± 0.25) than those housed in confinement while the number of piglets born (10.20 ± 0.15) and born alive (9.79 ± 0.14) and the weight at birth (1.31 ± 0.02 kg) and weaning (9.45 ± 0.09 kg) were similar. As anticipated, the YL sows farrowed and weaned more and heavier piglets (P < 0.01) than the Y sows. The housing environment did not have a significant effect on the farrowing interval which averaged 159.3 ± 0.6 days. These results indicate that effects of housing conditions from weaning to parturition are limited to the number of sows culled and the number of piglets weaned. Key words: Sows, gestation housing, litter size

scholarly journals The feeding and breeding of laboratory animals. VI. The breeding of mice

1947 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 420-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. M. Bruce
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Statistical Analyses ◽  
Gestation Period ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
One Year ◽  
Intensive Breeding

1. The total reproductive performance of two groups each of twenty-four mice over a period of one year under two different systems of mating has been recorded.2. In the first system (monogamous pairs) the male was kept continuously with the female; in 78% of cases the females became pregnant again at post-partum oestrus and were thus subjected for the most part to unbroken intensive breeding.3. In the second system (polygynous groups) several females were kept with one male and were removed to individual cages for the birth and rearing of the litters and were returned to the male again only after the litter had been weaned.4. Under the first system 1149 young were successfully reared to weaning in one year by the twenty-four females; under the second system 559 young were weaned during the same period.5. Mortality of breeding females, litter size, weight of young at weaning, the effect of parity, loss of litters and of young between birth and weaning and the sex-ratio of the young weaned were alike for both methods of mating.6. The interaction of concurrent gestation and lactation upon the length of the gestation period is discussed, and regression lines showing the relation between the number of young suckled, the number of young in the uterus and the length of the gestation period are given.My best thanks are due to Dr A. S. Parkes, F.R.S., for advice during the course of the work and for help in the preparation of the manuscript. I should also like to thank Dr C. W. Emmens for the statistical analyses and the calculation of the regression lines.

scholarly journals Testicular transcriptional signatures associated with high fertility

Reproduction ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 155 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marten Michaelis ◽  
Alexander Sobczak ◽  
Dirk Koczan ◽  
Martina Langhammer ◽  
Norbert Reinsch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Control Line ◽  
Female Side ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Transcriptional Alterations ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Reproductive Phenotype

Abstract Factors of high fertility are poorly described. The majority of transgenic or knockout models with a reproductive phenotype are subfertile or infertile phenotypes. Few genotypes have been linked to improved reproductive performance (0.2%) or increased litter size (1%). In this study, we used a unique mouse model, fertility line FL1, selected for ‘high fertility’ for more than 170 generations. This strain has almost doubled the number of littermates as well as their total birth weight accompanied by an elevated ovulation rate and increased numbers of corpora lutea compared to a randomly mated and unselected control line (Ctrl). Here, we investigate whether the gonadal tissue of FL1 males are affected by ‘co-evolution’ after more than 40 years of female-focused selection. Using microarrays, we analysed the testicular transcriptome of the FL1 and Ctrl mice. These data were also compared with previously published female gonadal transcriptional alterations. We detected alterations in testicular gene expression, which are partly associated with female reproductive performance. Thus, female-focused selection for litter size has not only affected the female side, but also has been manifested in transcriptional alterations on the male gonadal organ. This suggests consequences for the entire mouse lines in the long run and emphasizes the perspective of inevitably considering both genders about mechanisms of high fertility.

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