Impact of dominance effects on sow longevity

The purpose of the current study was to estimate variance components, especially dominance genetic variation, for overall leg action, length of productive life and sow stayability until third and fifth parity in the Finnish pig populations. The variance components were estimated in two purebred [Landrace (LR), n = 23 602 and Large White (LW), n =22 984] and crossbred (LR × LW, n = 17 440) data sets. Five different analyses were carried out for all the traits to compare the effect of sows’ inbreeding, common litter environment and parental dominance in the statistical model when determining the genetic correlations of the traits for the two purebred and crossbred populations. Estimated heritabilities for the traits ranged from 0.04 to 0.06. The estimates for the proportion of dominance variance of phenotypic variance (d²) varied between 0.01 and 0.17, and was highest in the crossbred dataset. The genetic correlations of the same traits in purebred and crossbred were all high (>0.75). Based on current results, the effect of dominance should be accounted for in the breeding value estimation of sow longevity, especially when data from crossbred animals are included in the analyses. Because dominance genetic variation for sow longevity exists that variation should be utilized through planned matings in producing sows for commercial production.     

Genetic association between leg conformation in young pigs and sow longevity

Longevity is important in pig production with respect to both economic and ethical aspects. Direct selection for longevity might be ineffective because ‘true’ longevity can only be recorded when a sow has been culled or died. Thus, indirect selection for longevity using information from other traits that can be recorded early in life and are genetically correlated with longevity might be an alternative. Leg conformation has been included in many breeding schemes for a number of years. However, proving that leg conformation traits are good early indicators for longevity still remains. Our aim was to study genetic associations between leg conformation traits of young (5 months; 100 kg) Swedish Yorkshire pigs in nucleus herds and longevity traits of sows in nucleus and multiplier herds. Data included 97 533 animals with information on conformation (Movement and Overall score) recorded at performance testing and 26 962 sows with information on longevity. The longevity traits were as follows: stayability from 1st to 2nd parity, lifetime number of litters and lifetime number of born alive piglets. Genetic analyses were performed with both linear models using REML and linear‐threshold models using Bayesian methods. Heritabilities estimated using the Bayesian method were higher than those estimated using REML, ranging from 0.10 to 0.24 and 0.07 to 0.20, respectively. All estimated genetic correlations between conformation and longevity traits were significant and favourable. Heritabilities and genetic correlations between conformation and longevity indicate that selection on leg conformation should improve sow longevity.     

Genetic correlation between leg conformation in young pigs,sow reproduction and longevity in Danish pig populations

Abstract

Selection for sow longevity using information from traits, which are expressed in early life and genetically highly related to longevity, is expected to be more effective than direct selection as it can overcome the disadvantage of late recording of true longevity. Our aim was to investigate the correlation between leg conformation recorded on young pigs, litter size at first parity and longevity of Danish Landrace and Yorkshire sows. Information on conformation from 116,733 Landrace and 89,963 Yorkshire pigs and information on reproduction and longevity from 27,070 Landrace and 11,895 Yorkshire sows were analyzed. All considered traits were low to moderately heritable, ranging from 0.02 to 0.41. In general, both conformation and reproduction traits were favorably genetically correlated with longevity (0.07–0.39 and 0.00–0.58, respectively). These estimates suggest a potential of improving sow longevity by selection on conformation recorded at young age and litter size at first parity.     

金华猪繁殖性状的统计学分析

采用金华猪场1979～1999年金华猪的繁殖性能生产记录,测定了2355头金华母猪(纯繁)和金华猪(K)与约克夏(Y)、长白(L)、杜洛克(D)、汉普夏(H)杂交后代的繁殖性状。综合考虑各性状的各种固定效应,并建立各性状的固定效应模型,对其进行方差分析,计算各性状的最小二乘均数(LSM),对影响较大的固定效应在各观察水平上的LSM进行分析与比较。固定效应分析结果表明:品种、胎次、季节、年份对产活仔数、60日龄头数的影响极显著(P<0.01)。而产仔数受胎次、季节、年份的影响极显著(P<0.01)。金华猪纯繁组以及LK×D、K×L杂交组的产仔数、产活仔数较高,K×L、K×Y杂交组合的60日龄头数较高。而其他外来品种之间杂交组合的繁殖性状显著低(P<0.01)。说明金华猪具有高产的优良特性。金华猪产仔数、产活仔数随胎次逐渐递增,6～7胎达到高峰。金华猪夏季产仔数最高为15.72±1.66,显著高于秋、春、冬(P<0.01)。产活仔数春、夏、秋季无差异(P>0.05),但高于冬季(P<0.05)。1982～1987年间金华猪无论是产仔数还是产活仔数整体都维持较高的水平。     

营养调控对母猪繁殖性能的影响

为了探讨母猪妊娠早期日粮中添加一定量的甲基吡啶铬、叶酸、维生素E和维生素A对母猪窝产仔数、初生重、仔猪成活率的影响,选用日龄、体况基本一致的长大二元母猪共计56头进行试验。结果表明,在母猪妊娠早期的日粮中添加甲基吡啶铬、叶酸、维生素E、维生素A可显著提高母猪窝产仔数,提高比例平均为29.2%,其中对后备母猪提高比例更大。     

Genetic analysis for sow stayability at different parities in purebred Landrace and Large White pigs

Genetic parameters for sow stayability were estimated from farrowing records of 10,295 Landrace sows and 8192 Large White sows. The record for sow stayability from parity k to parity k + 1 (k = 1, …, 6) was 0 when a sow had a farrowing record at parity k but not at parity k + 1, and 1 when a sow had both records. Heritability was estimated by using single-trait linear and threshold animal models. Genetic correlations among parities were estimated by using two-trait linear–linear and single-trait random regression linear animal models. Genetic correlations with litter traits at birth were estimated by using a two-trait linear–linear animal model. Heritability estimates by linear model analysis were low (0.065–0.119 in Landrace & 0.061–0.157 in Large White); those by threshold model analysis were higher (0.136–0.200 & 0.110–0.283). Genetic correlations among parities differed between breeds and models. Genetic correlation between sow stayability and number born alive was positive in many cases, implying that selection for number born alive does not reduce sow stayability. The results seem to be affected by decisions on culling made by farmers.     

Relationships between longevity,lifetime productivity,carcass traits and conformation in Polish maternal pig breeds

The objective of this study was to obtain heritability estimates for longevity (length of life, length of productive life, number of litters) and lifetime productivity traits (lifetime pig production, lifetime pig efficiency, lifetime litter efficiency) and genetic correlation between them and litter size at first farrowing, growth (ADG), backfat thickness (BF), loin depth, lean meat percentage (LMP), phenotypic selection index (PSI), and exterior in 19423 Polish Landrace (L) and 16049 Polish Large White (LW) sows. Heritabilities for longevity and lifetime productivity traits were 0.10–0.13 for L sows and 0.09–0.11 for LW sows depending on the trait definition. The genetic correlations among these traits were all high and positive, ranging from 0.76 to 0.99. Antagonistic genetic correlations (?0.21 to ?0.26) were found between longevity traits and PSI and LMP in LW sows, while in L sows the respective parameters were lower and not significant for length of productive life. The number of live‐born piglets in the first litter was positively correlated with lifetime pig production and lifetime pig efficiency in both breeds. The genetic correlations of longevity and lifetime pig production with ADG, BF, loin depth and exterior were small, and in most cases, not significant.     

Automatic detection of oestrus and health disorders using data from electronic sow feeders

This article suggests a method for detecting oestrus, lameness and other health disorders for group housed sows fed by electronic sow feeders (ESF). The detection method is based on the measure of the individual eating rank, modeled using a univariate dynamic linear model. Differences between the predicted values of the model and the observations are monitored using a control chart: a V-mask is applied on the cumulative sum of the standardized forecast errors of the model. According to the respective V-mask parameters, alarms are given for each of the three states (oestrus, lameness, others) when the deviations between model predicted values and observations exceed some defined parameters. External information is incorporated into the model to limit the number of false alarms when a subgroup of sows enters and exits a group or both. The detection method was implemented on data collected within three production herds over 12 months. Visual recordings were performed to identify sows in oestrus or with health disorders. The detection method showed a high specificity. For oestrus detection, there was a sensitivity of 59%, 70% and 75% for the three herds as compared to 9% (herd 1) and 20% (herd 2) using lists of sows as alarms. Monitoring lameness results in a sensitivity of 56%, 70% and 41%, vs. 39%, 32% and 22% using the lists; monitoring other health disorders resulted in a sensitivity of 0%, 75% and 39% for the three respective herds, vs. 34% and 16% for herds 2 and 3 using the lists. To limit the number of false alarms, it is suggested to expand the model by including daily feed intake or body activity as other response variables.     

Mitochondria as promising targets for nutritional interventions aiming to improve performance and longevity of sows

Genetic selection and management changes during the last decades have significantly increased the average litter size of sows. However, this recent success has not correlated with an extension of longevity and reduction in replacement rate. Longevity or lifetime production of sows is determined by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Nutrition is an environmental factor of importance, and it has long been appreciated that animals fed with specific diets may perform differently. The advent of modern science revealed that this is partly due to the ability of nutrients to act as signalling molecules that, through appropriate intracellular sensing mechanisms, can control gene expression and modulate cell functions. Based on this concept, nutrigenomics studies now aim to show that not only are certain nutrients essential for general health, but also that specific quantities of precise nutrients are necessary during critical periods of energy deficiency and oxidative stress such as gestation and lactation to ensure long‐term productivity. The toxic molecules at the origin of oxidative stress, free radicals, are mainly generated as normal by‐products of aerobic energy production by mitochondria. In all cells, mitochondria are dynamic organelles that are mainly known as the primary energy‐generating system. Thus, when metabolic demands are elevated as it is for hyperprolific sows, mitochondria are heavily solicited for answering all energetic needs, and substantive amounts of free radicals are generated. As a result, optimal conditions in term of antioxidant protection and metabolic substrates availability are required to support mitochondrial function in these animals. This article discusses how performance and longevity of sows are linked to mitochondrial function and oxidative stress and reviews the major natural nutrients known for their antioxidant and/or energetic properties that are susceptible to impact mitochondria and likely improved sows productivity.     

Genetic determination of individual birth weight and its association with sow productivity traits using Bayesian analyses

Genetic association between individual birth weight (IBW) and litter birth weight (LBW) was analyzed on records of 14,950 individual pigs born alive between 1988 and 1994 at the pig breeding farm of the University of Kiel. Dams were from three purebred lines (German Landrace, German Edelschwein, and Large White) and their crosses. Phenotypically, preweaning mortality of pigs decreased substantially from 40% for pigs with < or = 1 kg weight to less than 7% for pigs with > 1.6 kg. For these low to high birth weight categories, preweaning growth (d 21 of age) and early postweaning growth (weaning to 25 kg) increased by more than 28 and 8% per day, respectively. Bayesian analysis was performed based on direct-maternal effects models for IBW and multiple-trait direct effects models for number of pigs born in total (NOBT) and alive (NOBA) and LBW. Bayesian posterior means for direct and maternal heritability and litter proportion of variance in IBW were .09, .26, and .18, respectively. After adjustment for NOBT, these changed to .08, .22, and .09, respectively. Adjustment for NOBT reduced the direct and maternal genetic correlation from -.41 to -.22. For these direct-maternal correlations, the 95% highest posterior density intervals were -.75 to -.07, and -.58 to .17 before and after adjustment for NOBT. Adjustment for NOBT was found to be necessary to obtain unbiased estimates of genetic effects for IBW. The relationship between IBW and NOBT, and thus the adjustment, was linear with a decrease in IBW of 44 g per additionally born pig. For litter traits, direct heritabilities were .10, .08, and .08 for NOBT, NOBA, and LBW, respectively. After adjustment of LBW for NOBA the heritability changed to .43. Expected variance components for LBW derived from estimates of IBW revealed that genetic and environmental covariances between full-sibs and variation in litter size resulted in the large deviation of maternal heritability for IBW and its equivalent estimate for LBW. These covariances among full-sibs could not be estimated if only LBW were recorded. Therefore, selection for increased IBW is recommended, with the opportunity to improve both direct and maternal genetic effects of birth weight of pigs and, thus, their vitality and pre- and postnatal growth.     

Age‐related changes in semen quality characteristics and expectations of reproductive longevity in Duroc boars

Quadratic fitting was used to regress semen characteristics of 1441 samples consisting of 12‐month collection from 58 Duroc boars against animal age varied from 10 to 80 months. Data was divided into two groups of cool (14.0–22.7°C, RH 81.5%) and hot season (22.9–29.9°C, RH 86.6%), to test effects of age, season and their interactions. Results revealed that young boars of around 1 year old could endure the hot season. The endurance gradually diminished as animals grew. In the hot season animals exhibited peak performance at age around 33 month and it remained for 1 month, while cool‐season kept boars could last for 48 months from 16 months old onward. The reproductive longevity should be 51 month in a subtropical environment and it may extend to 70 month if heat stress can be avoided. The estimated total sperm contribution of a Duroc boar would be 1.8 times more when kept below 22°C than in a natural subtropical environment. It is concluded that to maintain Duroc boars as semen donor to at least 4 years of age is feasible in a subtropical environment and boar longevity could reach 6 years old if well kept in a temperate region.     

Estimation of some productive and reproductive effects on longevity of beef cows using survival analysis

Longevity of beef cows defined as the length of productive life from first calving to culling was estimated in this study. Data from 1800 cows belonging to Hereford, Angus, Simmental, Charolais, Limousin and Blonde d' Aquitaine breeds were analysed using survival method. The results indicate effects of breed, calving season, and calving difficulty on longevity (P < 0.05); however, herd, age of the cow at first calving, sex and weaning weight of their calves did not affect (P > 0.05) the length of productive life. Hereford had significantly greater (10.3 years) estimated length of productive life than Angus (8.1 years), Simmental (7.9 years), and Charolais (7.1 years), which had similar estimated longevity. Limousin (5.9 years) and Blonde d' Aquitaine (5.2 years) were similar in estimated longevity, but less than the other breeds studied. Cows that calved first in spring or summer were estimated to have longer productive life (7.2 years and 9.9 years) and less risk of early culling than those calving in autumn (5.7 years) and in winter (5.1 years). Longer productive life (6.2 years) was estimated across breeds for cows calving without assistance or with a little assistance (6.9 years) compared to those needing veterinary assistance (2.8 years) or having stillbirth (4.6 years). The results highlight that breed, calving season and calving difficulty of beef cows may have important effects on length of productive life. Special attention should be devoted to these effects.     

Relationship between reproductive and productive traits in Holstein cattle using multivariate analysis

Multivariate procedures are used for the extraction of variables from the correlation matrix of phenotypes in order to identify those traits that explain the largest proportion of phenotypic variation and to evaluate the relationship structure between these traits. The reproductive traits (days from calving to first estrus [CFE], days from calving to last service [CLS], calving interval [CI] and gestation length [GL]) and milk production traits (milk yield at 305 days of lactation [MY305], peak yield [PY] and milk yield per day of calving interval [MYCI]) of 5,217 Holstein females (primiparous and multiparous) were measured. Principal component analysis (PCA) and factor analysis of the correlation matrix were used to estimate the correlation between traits. Analysis grouped the seven traits into three principal components and four latent factors that retained approximately 81.5% and 88.9% of the total variation of the data, respectively. The production variables exhibited positive phenotypic correlation coefficients of high magnitude (>.67). The phenotypic correlation estimates between the productive and reproductive traits were low, ranging from .13 to .22. A strong association (.99) was observed between CLS and CI. Our results indicate that multivariate analysis was effective in generating correlations between the traits studied, grouping the seven traits in a smaller number of variables that retained approximately 81% of the total variation of the data.     

母猪生产性能的常用临床研究方法比对分析

母猪是生猪养殖中关键的一个组成部分,对其生产性能进行临床研究可提高生产效率。结合循证医学知识以及生猪养殖状况,对常用的临床研究方法进行比对和分析,发现随机对照试验的证据等级高、可靠性好,但成本较高,适合于大型企业应用;队列研究证据可对疫苗药物的不良反应以及生产措施开展评价、证据等级较高,成本较低,值得广泛采用;病例对照研究成本低、时间短、容易被基层员工理解,但易产生偏倚,证据等级较低;横断面研究常与统计盘点相结合、应用较广泛,但因果关系可靠性差;病例报告容易操作,对员工文化水平要求低,可应用于基层部门的经验交流,并其具有高度选择性,但推广价值较低。     

Genetic analyses of herding traits in the Border Collie using sheepdog trial data

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of the data provided from sheepdog trials in Norway, estimate heritabilities, repeatabilities and genetic correlations for the traits included in the trial and make recommendations on how sheepdog trials best can be utilized in the breeding of Border Collies in Norway. The analyses were based on test results from sheepdog trials carried out in Norway from 1993 to 2012. A total of 45 732 records from 3841 Border Collies were available, but after quality assurance only a third was left. The results demonstrated little information in the data. Heritabilities varied between 0.010 and 0.056 with standard errors ranging from 0.010 to 0.023, while repeatabilities ranged from 0.041 to 0.286. There is a need to assure the quality of data to improve the information in the test results. We recommend adding new traits based on the Herding Trait Characterization scheme evaluated in Sweden, and on traits from the predatory motor pattern, regarded as common for all dogs. These new traits may be scored across the elements that make up the current trial system, which should be kept in place to stimulate participation in the genetic evaluation scheme.     

某猪场母猪繁殖性能预测和logistic回归分析

为了衡量猪场生产效率,研究根据某公司7个分场繁殖母猪2016—2019年的生产记录,运用时间序列分析预测母猪繁殖性能的未来短期趋势,发现母猪未来一段时间的生产性能不会出现较大变动,与实际值较吻合,说明时间序列对母猪繁殖性能方面的预测,有较强的实用价值;再通过建立logistic回归模型,进行模型分析以寻找影响母猪繁殖性能的关键因素,进一步确定胎次是影响母猪繁殖性能重要因素。并且该模型还可用于其他生产指标的因素分析,可以为提高母猪群繁殖性能提供科学依据。     

Genetic analysis of growth and egg production traits in synthetic colored broiler female line using animal model

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Variance and genetic parameters were estimated for growth and production traits of synthetic broiler female line (PB-2) using REML animal model to delineate...     

撒坝猪专门化母系繁殖性状的相关与通径分析

利用撒坝猪专门化母系 7个世代共 576头母猪的繁殖性能数据 ,对总产仔数 (x1 )、活产仔数 (x2 )、初生窝重 (x3)、 2 0日龄窝重 (x4 )、断奶窝重 (x5)、育成率 (x6 )和断奶仔数 (y) 7个繁殖性状进行了相关和通径分析 ,并在此基础上建立了估计断奶仔数的最优回归方程。结果表明 ,撒坝猪专门化母系的繁殖性能在经过 7个世代的选育后 ,获得了明显提高。各繁殖性状间在表型值上都存在不同程度的相关 ,其中以总产仔数与活产仔数的相关程度最高 (r=0 92 0 1 ) ,其次为 2 0日龄窝重与断奶仔数 (r=0 82 88) ,而初生窝重与育成率间的相关系数最低 (r=0 0 381 )。在所分析的 7个性状中 ,除了总产仔数和活产仔数与育成率间为负相关外 ,其余性状间均为正相关。所建立的估计断奶仔数的多元回归方程为 :y=- 6 1 1 90 +0 6986x2 +0 0 33 7x4 +0 0 0 4 8x5+0 0 71 8x6 。     

不同苜蓿草粉水平对初产母猪生产和繁殖性能的影响

为了探讨初产母猪的后备期、妊娠期饲粮中不同比例的苜蓿草粉,对其生长性能和繁殖性能的影响,试验选用640头日龄110 d、体重45 kg左右的健康后备母猪(长×大),采用单因子完全随机设计,分为4个处理,分别为:对照组(0%草粉组)、5%草粉组、10%草粉组、15%草粉组,每个处理4个重复,每个重复40头猪。妊娠期选取增重和发情较好的5%草粉组后备期母猪,发情配种后分为对照Ⅰ组(0%草粉组)、10%草粉组、15%草粉组、20%草粉组,后备期对照组母猪继续作为妊娠期的对照组,共5个处理,每个处理4个重复,每个重复3头猪。结果表明:1)在后备期45~70 kg阶段,试验组的采食量均低于对照组,随着苜蓿草粉用量的增加,采食量依次下降;5%草粉组的日增重显著高于、料重比显著低于10%和15%草粉组(P<0.05),但与对照组无显著差异;3个试验组中,只有5%草粉组的增重成本低于对照组,且使用苜蓿草粉愈多,成本愈高。在后备期70~130 kg阶段,无论是采食量还是日增重,3个试验组均低于对照组,随着草粉用量增加,采食量和日增重均依次下降,其中10%和15%草粉组显著低于对照组(P<0.05),但与5%草粉组差异不显著;3个试验组的料重比和增重成本均高于对照组,且有随着苜蓿草粉用量增加而依次增加的趋势,其中15%草粉组显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。添加5%的苜蓿草粉对母猪发情率有改善,但各组之间差异不显著。2)在妊娠期阶段,草粉组的背膘增厚显著高于对照组和对照Ⅰ组(P<0.05);对照Ⅰ组和10%、15%、20%苜蓿草粉组的初生活仔率均显著高于对照组,初生窝重分别比对照组提高了14.88%、6.89%、12.31%、24.48%,弱仔率分别降低了53.44%、36.39%、87.37%、62.78%,尽管均未达到显著差异程度,但说明后备期饲粮中使用苜蓿草粉对妊娠期母猪产仔数及仔猪健康有良好的后续效应,后备期用5%苜蓿草粉妊娠期使用20%苜蓿草粉效果最佳。综合得出,后备期添加5%的苜蓿草粉不会影响后备母猪生长但会提高发情率,后备期添加5%草粉妊娠期不添加时,母猪的繁殖效果也得到改善;妊娠期添加20%的苜蓿草粉产活仔率和初生窝重最佳。