Effect of the polymorphism of prolactin receptor (PRLR) and leptin (LEP) genes on litter size in Polish pigs

The aim of the experiment was to use the DNA mutations in the PRLR and LEP genes to determine associations between the genotype and litter size in Polish Large White × Landrace sows. Reproductive traits investigated were: total number of piglets born (TNB), number of piglets born alive (NBA) and number of piglets weaned. The polymorphism in PRLR and LEP genes was detected using the polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment‐length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) method, with specific primers and the restriction enzymes AluI and HinfI respectively. Two different alleles of PRLR and LEP gene were identified: alleles A (0.62) and B (0.38) of the PRLR gene and alleles C (0.10) and T (0.90) of the LEP gene. The relationships between the PRLR and LEP genotypes and TBN, NBA and NW were analysed. The analysis showed, in first parity sows, statistically significant (p ≤ 0.01) differences between sows carrying different PRLR genotypes. In later parities, sows with the AA genotype still had the largest litter size compared with AB and BB sows, but the difference was statistically not significant. Analysis of the interaction PARITY × PRLR showed small and statistically not significant differences. The analysis of relationship between different LEP genotypes and TNB, NBA, NW showed small and statistically non‐significant differences.     

Oestrogen receptor genotypes and litter size in Hungarian Large White pigs

A total of 869 litter records of 226 Hungarian Large White sows have been analysed to investigate the possible use of the oestrogen receptor gene (ESR) as marker to improve litter size. First, second and later parities have been evaluated separately. Frequencies of A = 0.55 and B =0.45 have been calculated for the two ESR alleles and the observed/expected number of the three genotypes were as follows: AA: 71/69.1, AB: 108/111.8 and BB: 47/45.1. BB type first and later parity sows were superior to AB and AA sows for number born alive (NBA), total number of born (TNB) and the corrected number of weaned piglets (CNW), respectively.     

小梅山猪促卵泡素β基因多态性及其与繁殖性能的关系

用PCR SSCPs法检测小梅山猪母猪群促卵泡素 (FSH) β基因的多态性 ,分析该基因与产仔数和仔猪体重的关系。小梅山猪母猪群FSH β基因N基因频率为 0 .4 14 1,n基因频率为 0 .5 85 9,该基因处于遗传非平衡状态。nn基因型母猪的总产仔数和产活仔数比NN型母猪的分别多 0 .7头和 1.1头 (P <0 .0 5 )。小梅山猪产仔数曲线是开口向下的二次曲线 ,其中nn型母猪具有较理想的产仔模型 ,其拟合的最高产仔数最大 ,且产仔数达高峰后下降较慢。nn型母猪的仔猪初生重比NN基因型母猪的重 (P <0 .0 5 )。杂合型母猪的总产仔数 (12 .38)、产活仔数 (11.6 9)、仔猪初生重 (1.72 )和 35日龄断奶重 (2 0 .16 )比纯合型母猪的大 ,表现出一定的杂合效应。这些结果提示母猪的n等位基因对产仔数和仔猪初生重有利 ,该基因可望用于猪的标记辅助选择     

Evaluation of reproductive traits and ovarian and uterine morphology of sows with different genotypes for the estrogen receptor,prolactin receptor,and follicle-stimulating hormone subunit beta genes

The purpose of this study was to analyze the morpho-functional features of the ovaries and uterus of sows with different genotypes for the estrogen receptor (ESR), prolactin receptor (PRLR), and follicle-stimulating hormone subunit beta (FSHβ) genes associated with reproductive traits. Healthy Large White sows were studied. The genotypic status of the ESR, PRLR, and FSHβ genes was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The structure of the ovaries and uterus was studied using quantitative assessment of organs and histological research.Sows with the ESR^BB genotype significantly exceeded animals with the ESR^AA genotype in milk yield (by 0.3 kg) and in the number of piglets at birth (by 0.9 animals) and at weaning (by 0.7 animals). Sows with the ESR^AB genotype were midway between those with ESR^BB and ESR^AA genotypes in terms of these reproductive traits. Animals with the PRLR^AA genotype significantly exceeded those with the PRLR^BB genotype in the number of piglets born (P < 0.05); the differences in litter weight at birth were not significant. Compared to other genotypes, sows with genotypes ESR^BB (P < 0.05) and PRLR^{AA (AB)} (P < 0.05) had larger uteruses and more yellow bodies, tertiary follicles, and primordial follicles in their ovaries. Animals with the FSHβ^BB genotype significantly exceeded animals with the FSHβ^AB genotype in the length of uterus by 21 cm (P < 0.05).     

Effect of candidate gene polymorphisms on reproductive traits in a Large White pig population

The objective of this study was to test for association of candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with sow prolificacy reproductive traits, such as litter size, ovulation rate and lifetime performance, in gilts of a Large White pig population. Preliminary research on 25 animals selected from the high‐ and low‐performance groups of 347 animals with case‐control studies indicated that seven genes were associated with total number of piglets born (TNB). Six of the seven genes were associated with reproductive traits, including TNB, number of piglets born alive (NBA) and average weight of piglet weaning (AWW). A MBL2 SNP was significantly associated with TNB and NBA in first parity. A CFB SNP was associated with TNB in first parity. An ACE SNP was associated with TNB in first and second parities. An EGF polymorphism was associated with TNB, NBA and AWW in second parity. A KCNC2 polymorphism was significantly associated with TNB and NBA in second parity. A SLC22A5 SNP was associated with TNB and NBA in second parity. Six candidate SNPs were associated with TNB; the only exception was a PRKAG3 polymorphism. A candidate gene approach enables some of these polymorphisms to be used in genetic improvement programs based on marker‐assisted selection.     

Polymorphism of <Emphasis Type="Italic">GDF</Emphasis>9 gene and its association with litter size in goats

Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) was studied as a candidate gene for high prolificacy in goats. The polymorphism of exon 1 and flanking of GDF9 gene was detected by PCR-SSCP in five goat breeds with different prolificacy. Three genotypes (AA, AB and BB) were detected in goat breeds joined and two silent mutations (c.183A>C and c.336C>T) were identified in comparison genotype AA with genotype BB. Heterozygous genotype AB and wild type BB were detected in all five goat breeds and homozygous genotype AA was only detected in Jining Grey goats. The frequencies of genotypes AA, AB and BB were 0.18, 0.42 and 0.40 in Jining Grey goats, respectively. The genotype distribution was different (P < 0.01) between high prolificacy breed (Jining Grey goat) and low prolificacy breeds (Boer, Wendeng Dairy, Liaoning Cashmere and Beijing native goats). The Jining Grey goat does with genotype AA and AB had 0.72 (P < 0.01) and 0.56 (P < 0.01) kids more than those with genotype BB, respectively. The does with genotype AA had 0.16 (P > 0.05) kids more than those with genotype AB. These indicated that the allele A may have certain correlation with prolificacy in Jining Grey goats.     

Effect of RNF4-SacII gene polymorphism on reproductive traits of Landrace × Large White crossbred sows

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether and to what extent the RNF4-SacII gene polymorphism influences reproduction performances in hyperprolific sow lines. The study involved 101 Landrace x Large White crossbred sows, with 461 records collected on the following reproductive traits: Total Number of piglets Born per litter (TNB), Number of piglets Born Alive per litter (NBA), Number of StillBorn piglets per litter (NSB), piglet Pre-Weaning Mortality (PWM) and Number of piglets at Weaning per litter (NW). The least square method with the GLM procedure in SAS with eight effects was used to pursue the data analysis. Study results revealed that TT homozygotes and TC heterozygotes had a significantly higher (p < .05) NW than CC homozygotes for the life-span performance in all parities and first parity analysed. In the fourth parity analysed, TNB and NBA in TC genotype were significantly higher (p < .05) as compared with TT genotype. Based on the life-span performance, significant effect (p < .05) was recorded for order of parity on TNB, NBA and NW, for farrowing season on TNB and NSB, and for lactation length on PWM. In the second parity, significant effect (p < .05) was recorded for sire of boar on NSB and for gestation length on TNB. Only in the fourth parity, significant effect (p < .05) of RNF4 gene was observed on NBA. There was significant additive effect (p < .05) of the RNF4 gene polymorphism identified on NW in all parities analysed, and significant additive and dominance effects (p < .05) on NSB in the third parity analysed. In conclusion, additional research on related production pig genotypes is necessary to elucidate the effect of RNF4 gene mutation on reproductive traits.     

FSHR基因第1外显子多态性及其与小梅山猪产仔数的关系

本研究旨在检测猪FSHR基因第1外显子多态性,并分析其与产仔数之间的关系.采用PCR- SSCP和直接测序方法检测基因多态性,利用最小二乘法分析其与母猪产仔数的关系,同时对多态位点的方差组分进行分析,并预测选择反应.研究结果表明:猪FSHR基因第1外显子区域内检测到3个SNPs(C70T、C74G、C81T),其中C74G导致氨基酸的改变,同时,筛选出3个单倍型和5种基因型;FSHR基因单倍型与基因型分布在小梅山猪、枫泾猪与大白猪群体间差异达到极显著水平(P＜0.01);关联分析结果显示,2胎以上的小梅山母猪中,AA和CC基因型个体的TNB比BC基因型分别低0.64(P＞0.05)和0.36头(P＞0.05),所有胎次中,AA基因型个体的TNB 和NBA比AC基因型分别低0.80(P＜0.01)和0.67头(P＜0.01).对于FSHR基因第1外显子而言,小梅山猪TNB和NBA的遗传主要受到显性效应的影响.     

Selection potential of different prolificacy traits in the finnish landrace and large white populations

Heritabilities and genetic correlations for different prolificacy traits were estimated to assess possibilities of selection for high number of piglets weaned. Three litter-size traits: total number of piglets born (TNB), number of piglets born alive (NBA), number of piglets weaned (NW); four piglet survival traits: number of stillborn piglets (NSB), percent of stillborn piglets (NSB%), piglet mortality between birth and weaning (PM), percent of dead piglets during suckling (PM%); and three traits measuring time intervals: age at first farrowing (AFF), first farrowing interval (FFI), and gestation length (GL) were analysed. The Finnish national litter recording scheme provided data on the first parity litters of 11 329 Landrace and 8 362 Large White pigs born between 1986 and 2000. The heritabilitiy estimates were moderate for AFF and GL (0.24–0.37), and low for all the other traits (0.03–0.11). The genetic correlations between TNB and PM (0.68 in Landrace and 0.43 in Large White) and between NBA and PM (0.64 in Landrace and 0.31 in Large White) suggest that selection only for high TNB or NBA will lead to increased PM. The results showed further that GL will increase indirectly if the selection pressure is for low PM (r _g =?0.050 in Landrace and ?0.43 in Large White.     

A genomewide association study in divergently selected lines in rabbits reveals novel genomic regions associated with litter size traits

Uterine capacity (UC), defined as the total number of kits from unilaterally ovariectomized does at birth, has a high genetic correlation with litter size. The aim of our research was to identify genomic regions associated with litter size traits through a genomewide association study using rabbits from a divergent selection experiment for UC. A high-density SNP array (200K) was used to genotype 181 does from a control population, high and low UC lines. Traits included total number born (TNB), number born alive (NBA), number born dead, ovulation rate (OR), implanted embryos (IE) and embryo, foetal and prenatal survivals at second parity. We implemented the Bayes B method and the associations were tested by Bayes factors and the percentage of genomic variance (GV) explained by windows. Different genomic regions associated with TNB, NBA, IE and OR were found. These regions explained 7.36%, 1.27%, 15.87% and 3.95% of GV, respectively. Two consecutive windows on chromosome 17 were associated with TNB, NBA and IE. This genomic region accounted for 6.32% of GV of TNB. In this region, we found the BMP4, PTDGR, PTGER2, STYX and CDKN3 candidate genes which presented functional annotations linked to some reproductive processes. Our findings suggest that a genomic region on chromosome 17 has an important effect on litter size traits. However, further analyses are needed to validate this region in other maternal rabbit lines.     

Genetic parameters for litter size,piglet growth and sow's early growth and body composition in the Chinese–European line Tai Zumu

Genetics of piglet growth in association with sow's early growth and body composition were estimated in the Tai Zumu line. Piglet and sow's litter growth traits were calculated from individual weights collected at birth and at 3 weeks of age. Sow's litter traits included the number of piglets born alive (NBA), the mean piglet weight (MW) and the standard deviation of weights within the litter (SDW). Sow's early growth was measured by the age at 100 kg (A₁₀₀), and body composition included backfat thickness (BF₁₀₀). A main objective of this study was to estimate separately the direct genetic effect (d) and the maternal genetic effect (m) on piglet weight and daily weight gain during lactation. Variance components were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood methodology based on animal models. The heritability estimates were 0.19 for NBA, 0.15 and 0.26 for SDW and MW at 3 weeks and 0.42 and 0.70 for A₁₀₀ and BF₁₀₀. The NBA was almost independent from SDW. Conversely, the A₁₀₀ and BF₁₀₀ were correlated unfavourably with SDW (r_g<−0.24, SE<0.12). A stronger selection for litter size should have little effect on litter homogeneity in weights. Selection for lean growth rate tends to favour heterogeneity in weights. The direct effect on piglet weight at birth and daily weight gain accounted for 12% (h² (d) = 0.02) and 50% (h² (d) = 0.11) of the genetic variance, respectively. The association between d and m for piglet weight was not different from zero at birth (r_g = 0.19, SE = 0.27), but a strong antagonism between d and m for daily weight gain from birth to 3 weeks was found (r_g = −0.41, SE = 0.17). Substantial direct and maternal genetic effects influenced piglet growth until weaning in opposite way.     

大白猪哺乳期背膘损失对繁殖性能的影响

为了研究大白母猪哺乳期背膘损失对其繁殖性能的影响,试验选取大白母猪1 178头,统计6个胎次的总产仔数、产活仔数、健仔数、断奶窝重、断奶发情间隔、哺乳期背膘损失等性状,根据哺乳期的背膘损失情况将母猪分为6组：<0、0~1、1~2、3~4、5~6、>6 mm,以断奶窝重为协变量,利用最小二乘检验开展组间总产仔数、产活仔数、健仔数、断奶发情间隔等性状的差异显著性分析。结果显示,大白母猪6个胎次平均总产仔数、产活仔数、健仔数、断奶窝重、断奶发情间隔和哺乳期背膘损失分别为13.67头、11.51头、10.32头、65.90 kg、4.83 d和2.89 mm,大白母猪1~6胎产仔数在各组间存在显著差异（P<0.05）。综合全部6个胎次的结果可知,第4、5、6组间差异不显著（P>0.05）,但均显著高于第1、2、3组（P<0.05）;第4组总产仔数最高,达13.54头,比第1、2、3组分别高出1.90、2.29和1.63头（P<0.05）。虽然各胎次中各组间产活仔数和健仔数性状有时也出现显著差异,但综合分析6个胎次组间并未出现显著差异（P>0.05）。从断奶发情间隔性状来看,各组间均未出现显著差异（P>0.05）。结果表明,在大白猪生产中,将哺乳期母猪的背膘损失控制在3~4 mm可以获得更高的总产仔数。     

猪骨调素基因多态性对产仔性状的影响1

本文研究了骨调素基因对苏钟猪和二花脸猪繁殖性能的影响。93头母猪660多窝产仔数记录被用来分析骨调素基因型与总产仔数和产活仔数的关系。结果表明,二花脸猪经产总产仔数基因型158/142和170/152、168/140之间差异显著(P<0.05),产活仔数基因型158/142和170/152之间差异显著(P<0.05)。苏钟猪头胎产活仔数基因型164/168和140/152、142/168、152/170之间差异显著(P<0.05),经产总产仔数基因型152/170和130/142之间差异显著(P<0.05)。     

Comparison of genetic improvement for litter size at birth by direct and indirect selection in swine herd

Responses to selection for number of piglets born alive (NBA) by the total number of piglets born (TNB), the NBA, and the NBA plus number of piglets born dead (NBD) were compared using the accuracy of selection and expected genetic gain calculated from the selection index with family information and the real response to selection, using data generated by Monte Carlo computer simulation. The accuracy of selection for NBA selected by TNB was higher than that by NBA only if the genetic correlation between TNB and NBA was close to 1.0, or the value of heritability for the TNB was much larger than that for the NBA. The accuracy of selection for the NBA selected by the combination of the TNB and the NBA was generally highest in the three selection methods in each family structure. Selection by the TNB resulted in the greatest expected genetic gain for the TNB among the selection methods. In the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) selection, the genetic gain for the NBA accumulated by the NBA tended to be similar to that accumulated by the combination of the NBA and the NBD, and both genetic gains at generation 10 were significantly larger than that by the TNB (P < 0.001). The accumulated responses selected by the two‐trait animal model BLUP estimated from genetic parameters with errors were similar to those estimated from the true parameters, and there was no significant difference between them. These results indicate that selection by the NBA or by the NBA and the NBD gives more genetic improvement in the NBA than that by the TNB.     

大白猪和长白猪EPOR基因第4内含子多态性与繁殖性状的关联分析

本研究以大白猪和长白猪为研究对象,以促红细胞生成素受体（erythropoietin receptor,EPOR）基因作为产仔性状的候选基因,采用PCR-SSCP方法来检测EPOR基因第4内含子C＼T突变多态性,研究此位点多态性与猪繁殖性状之间的关联性。结果发现,在长白猪和大白猪中存在AA、AB和BB共3种基因型,在2个群体中处于中度多态。利用SAS 8.0软件采用最小二乘法拟合线性模型,将不同基因型与总产仔数（TNB）、产活仔数（NBA）和初生重（WB）进行了关联分析,结果表明,长白猪初产母猪BB基因型个体的WB显著高于AB、AA基因型个体（P＜0.05）;经产母猪BB基因型个体的TNB显著高于AB基因型个体（P＜0.05）;B等位基因对初产母猪TNB、NBA和WB均表现为正效应。大白猪初产母猪BB基因型个体的TNB、NBA和WB都高于AA型和AB型个体,但差异均不显著（P＞0.05）;经产母猪AB基因型个体的WB显著高于AA基因型个体（P＜0.05）;B等位基因对初产母猪TNB、NBA和WB都表现为正效应。     

The contribution of dominance and inbreeding depression in estimating variance components for litter size in Pannon White rabbits

In a synthetic closed population of Pannon White rabbits, additive (V_A), dominance (V_D) and permanent environmental (V_Pe) variance components as well as doe (b_Fd) and litter (b_Fl) inbreeding depression were estimated for the number of kits born alive (NBA), number of kits born dead (NBD) and total number of kits born (TNB). The data set consisted of 18,398 kindling records of 3883 does collected from 1992 to 2009. Six models were used to estimate dominance and inbreeding effects. The most complete model estimated V_A and V_D to contribute 5.5 ± 1.1% and 4.8 ± 2.4%, respectively, to total phenotypic variance (V_P) for NBA; the corresponding values for NBD were 1.9 ± 0.6% and 5.3 ± 2.4%, for TNB, 6.2 ± 1.0% and 8.1 ± 3.2% respectively. These results indicate the presence of considerable V_D. Including dominance in the model generally reduced V_A and V_Pe estimates, and had only a very small effect on inbreeding depression estimates. Including inbreeding covariates did not affect estimates of any variance component. A 10% increase in doe inbreeding significantly increased NBD (b_Fd = 0.18 ± 0.07), while a 10% increase in litter inbreeding significantly reduced NBA (b_Fl = ?0.41 ± 0.11) and TNB (b_Fl = ?0.34 ± 0.10). These findings argue for including dominance effects in models of litter size traits in populations that exhibit significant dominance relationships.     

四川省外种猪ESR基因对繁殖及生长性状的影响

试验以四川省外种母猪的 3个品种 (大约克、长白、杜洛克 )为研究对象 ,采用PCR -RFLps的方法测其ESR基因的PvuⅡ多态性 ,分析了该产仔数及生长性状之间的关系。结果表明 :初产胎次中 ,ESR基因型间总产仔数 (TNB)和产活仔数 (NBA)差异极显著 (P <0 0 1 ) ,BB和AA纯合子间TNB和NBA分别相差 5 97和 3 72头 ,基因加性效应分别应为每个B基因 2 98和 1 86头。对于经产胎次 ,总产仔数在AA ,AB基因与BB基因型的差异达到极显著水平 (P <0 0 1 ) ,产活仔数在AA基因型与BB基因型间差异显著 (P <0 0 5 ) ,TNB和NBA母猪每窝BB纯合子比AA纯合子分别多 3 6 8和 2 89头 ,基因的加性效应为每个B基因分别为 1 83和 1 4 4头。头胎和经产胎次ESR基因型在初生窝重、2 0日龄头数和窝重、30或 4 5日龄头数和窝重以及 70日龄窝重之间的差异不显著 (P >0 0 5 ) ;但是以上 6个性状在ESR基因的 3种基因型间存在BB >AB >AA的趋势     

Detection of novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CYP21 gene and association analysis of two SNPs for CYP21 and ESR2 with litter size in a commercial sow population

Altogether 129 F₁ sows from a commercial sow farm with at least four litters were genotyped for the oestrogen receptor 2 gene (ESR2) and cytochrome P450 hydroxylase 21 gene (CYP21) and investigated for associations on the litter‐size parameters: total number born and number born alive. Five novel polymorphisms were found in the 3′‐untranslated region for the CYP21 gene. Genotype and allele frequencies for the CYP21 (position 3462G > A) single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) were 0.434 (GG), 0.504 (AG), 0.062 (AA) and 0.69 (G):0.31 (A), respectively. No association was found between this polymorphism and litter‐size parameters. For the ESR2 gene, the SNP in exon 5 associated with an amino acid substitution MET (allele A) > VAL (allele G) was investigated. Only two genotypes were found leading to allele frequencies of 0.34 (A):0.66 (G). Only number born alive piglets were significantly increased for the AG genotype (p = 0.034) with 11.64 piglets per sow and litter in comparison with the GG genotype, leading to only 10.96 piglets per sow and litter. From these data, it can be concluded that the investigated SNP of the ESR2 gene is associated with the number of liveborn piglets in the commercial population considered, and hence could be useful in selection for litter size. Therefore, this gene should be investigated in additional populations.     

GPR54基因多态性与小梅山猪产仔数的关联分析

本研究旨在检测猪GPR54基因多态性,分析其与产仔数之间的关系。采用PCR-SSCP、PCR-R FLP和直接测序方法,对小梅山猪、枫泾猪和大白猪3个群体218头繁殖母猪进行GPR54基因的多态分析,并采用最小二乘法分析其与616窝小梅山母猪繁殖记录的关系。结果表明:在3对引物(P1、P4、P8)中检测到3个多态位点,其中1个多态位点(P1)导致氨基酸的改变(Leu35Pro),P4与P8位点的基因遗传为连锁遗传;P1位点上,2胎以上小梅山母猪中,BB型个体的产活仔数(NBA)比AB型和AA型分别高0.69、1.65头(P0.01),所有胎次中,BB型个体的TNB和NBA均高于AA型(P0.01)和AB型(P0.01);P4/P8位点上,杂合型的总产仔数(TNB)和NBA均高于纯合型。结果提示,对于小梅山猪,P1位点的BB基因型可作为小梅山猪辅助选择的遗传标记。     

大白猪、长白猪和杜洛克猪RBP4基因多态性及其与繁殖性能的相关分析

本试验通过PCR-RFLP技术对大白猪、长白猪和杜洛克猪的视黄醇结合蛋白4(retinol binding protein 4,RBP4)基因第4外显子Msp Ⅰ酶切位点进行多态性分析,并对各基因型母猪的第2、3胎次产仔数、产活仔数、断奶仔猪数、初生窝重、21日龄的窝重及断奶成活率进行测定,进而分析RBP4基因多态性与繁殖性能的关系。结果表明,RBP4基因在3个品种中均存在多态位点;χ²适合性检验表明大白猪在该位点偏离Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态(P<0.05),而长白猪和杜洛克猪在该位点处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态(P>0.05)。其中,大白猪中优势基因型为BB基因型,而长白猪和杜洛克猪中优势基因型为AA基因型。在繁殖性能上,长白猪BB基因型群体第2胎总产仔数、产活仔数、断奶仔猪数、初生窝重、21日龄断奶窝重分别高于AA基因型0.97头、1.28头、0.92头、1.74 kg和4.42 kg,高于AB基因型0.92头、1.02头、0.98头、1.43 kg和4.98 kg;第3胎次中总体上BB基因型也为有利基因型。