Molecular genetics of the adrenocortical axis and breeding for robustness

The concept of robustness refers to the combination of a high production potential and a low sensitivity to environmental perturbations. The importance of robustness-related traits in breeding objectives is progressively increasing toward the production of animals with a high production level in a wide range of climatic conditions and production systems, together with a high level of animal welfare. Current strategies to increase robustness include selection for "functional traits," such as skeletal and cardiovascular integrity, disease resistance, and mortality at various stages. It is also possible to use global evaluation of sensitivity to the environment (eg reaction norm analysis or canalization), but these techniques are difficult to implement in practice. The glucocorticoid hormones released by the adrenal cortex exert a wide range of effects on metabolism, the cardiovascular system, inflammatory processes, and brain function, for example. Protein catabolism toward energy production and storage (lipids and glycogen) supports their pivotal role in stress responses aiming at the adaptation and survival of individuals under strong environmental pressure. Large individual variations have been described in adrenocortical axis activity, with important physiopathological consequences. In terms of animal production, higher cortisol levels have negative effects on growth rate and feed efficiency and increase the fat:lean ratio of carcasses. On the contrary, cortisol has positive effects on functional traits and adaptation. Intense selection for lean tissue growth and more generally high protein output during the past decades has concomitantly reduced cortisol production, which may be responsible for the negative effects of selection on functional traits. In this paper, we review experimental evidence suggesting that the balance between production and functional traits was modified in favor of improved robustness by selecting animals with higher adrenocortical axis activity, as well as the molecular genetic tools that can be used to fine-tune this objective.     

The effects of selection of pigs on growth rate vs leanness on histochemical characteristics of different muscles

The microstructure of two type of muscles was studied in a selection experiment conducted with Dutch Large White pigs (boars and gilts) selected for either low backfat thickness (L-line) or fast growth (F-line). Second- and fourth-generation pigs were used to determine effects of selection on fiber type composition, fiber area, and capillary density in the longissimus lumborum (LL) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles. Immediately after slaughter samples were taken from the LL and BF muscles. The latter was divided into an inside (BFi) and outside (BFo) portion, which refer to the red and white portions of the biceps femoris. Serial sections were stained for ATPase (pH 4.60), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), and alpha-amylase-periodic acid shiff (PAS) to determine fiber type and capillary density. The LL and BFo muscles had predominantly type IIBw fibers, whereas the BFi muscle had a 2 to 4 times higher amount of type I fibers. In most muscles there were more type I and fewer type IIBw fibers in F- than in L-line pigs (P < .05), except in the LL muscle of second-generation pigs and in the red part of the BF muscle of fourth-generation pigs. In both selection lines lower type I and higher type IIBw percentages were found in muscles from gilts than in those from boars (P < .05). Capillary density and fiber area of L- and F-lines showed minor differences, which could be explained by differences in weight and age of the pigs of both lines. The results suggest that selection for low backfat thickness in pig breeding compared with increased growth rate resulted in fewer oxidative and more glycolytic muscle fibers. The magnitude of the effect depended on muscle type and duration of the selection period.     

猪配套系生长性状基因效应与杂种优势的分析

测定杜长大三元杂交体系和斯格配套系各杂交组合的生长性能,计算出生长性状的杂种优势率;选用5个与生长性状紧密连锁的微卫星标记对测定个体进行基因型检测,利用混合效应线性模型计算出生长性状各位点的基因效应。结果显示:斯格配套系父母代与商品代各时期的平均日增重的差异均达到极显著水平(P<0.01),杜长大杂交体系父母代与商品代各时期的平均日增重的差异均达到显著水平(P<0.05),斯格配套系父母代和商品代与杜长大杂交体系的父母代和商品代的差异达到极显著水平(P<0.01),前期的的杂优率处于较高水平,后期及全程的杂优率不高。基因效应分析显示早期日增重的基因效应既有加性效应又有显性效应,后期日增重和全程日增重的加性效应明显,因而加性效应是日增重杂种优势的主要遗传学基础。     

乌兰察布市种猪遗传评估方案

改革开放以来,我国养猪业得到了高速发展,成为世界猪肉生产第1大国。猪肉是我国人民摄入体内动物蛋白质的主要来源,在肉食品消费中占67％左右。猪肉生产直接影响到我国人民的生活水平,随着农业结构调整,养猪业已成为增加农民收入和广大农民致富的重要手段,并逐步成为农村经济的支柱产业。     

Testing genetic determinism in rate of hoof growth in pigs using Bayes Factors

Excessive growth and consequent deformity of hooves is a frequent disorder in some purebred pig populations. A test to detect possible genetic determinism related with this phenomenon was performed using the Bayes Factor (BF). Data were available for females from three purebred selection lines: Landrace (561 records), Pietrain (183) and Large White (225). Animals were scored in four categories, according to the overall growth rate of their hooves. A Bayesian analysis was performed separately for each line using a threshold model with a probit approach, and Bayes Factors between models with and without additive genetic effects were computed. Results from the three lines showed that models exhibiting genetic variability were much more probable than those that did not include a genetic component, with BF values of 312, 35 and 40 (and posterior probabilities of 0.99, 0.97 and 0.98), respectively, for the Landrace, Pietrain and Large White lines. Monte Carlo estimates of posterior means of heritabilities were medium to high (0.25, 0.41 and 0.38, respectively), and the highest posterior density region for heritability at 99% did not include zero in any of the three lines. These results allow us to conclude that genetic determinism has an important influence upon the rate of hoof growth in the pig. A potential genetic response can be achieved in the populations analysed, but further studies are needed to determine the genetic architecture of hoof growth disorders in pigs.     

Plasma melatonin levels in relation to the light-dark cycle and parental background in domestic pigs

To study porcine melatonin secretion in a stable environment 3 daytime (10.00-15.00) and 3 nighttime (22.00-03.00) plasma samples were collected by jugular venipuncture from 15 gilts, 16 sows, 3 boars and 48 piglets (24 females and 24 males from 8 litters) and analysed for melatonin content. Nighttime melatonin concentrations were higher than daytime melatonin concentrations (p < 0.001), whereas no effect of sampling order could be discerned. The 3 adult Hampshire boars had higher melatonin concentrations during the day and the night, than the 31 adult Yorkshire females (p < 0.05). There was no clear difference between gilts and sows in plasma melatonin. The gilts from one of the litters had higher plasma melatonin concentrations than the gilts in 3 other litters (p < 0.05). Among the 48 piglets, the increase of nocturnal melatonin secretion differed between litters (p < 0.01), whereas the influence of father was not quite significant (p = 0.12). No difference in daytime melatonin concentrations between litters could be found, and there was no difference in melatonin levels between the male and female piglets. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that domestic pigs express a nocturnal increase of melatonin secretion in a standard stable environment. For some animals the amplitude of nighttime melatonin secretion was very low, although always higher than the daytime base levels. Furthermore, the levels of nighttime melatonin secretion differed between litters, which suggests a genetic background.     

生猪养殖小区饲料中几种营养成分背景值的调查与思考

对生猪养殖小区三个阶段的生猪饲料的背景值进行调查,旨在为生猪的清洁生产提供决策依据。在春、夏、秋、冬每个季节分别对保育猪、育肥猪和妊娠母猪饲料进行抽样检测其粗蛋白质、总磷、铜和锌的含量。结果表明:三种生猪饲料的粗蛋白质含量均高于猪饲养标准的推荐水平;保育猪和妊娠后期母猪饲料总磷的含量基本与饲养标准推荐水平一致,而育肥猪饲料中总磷含量高于饲养标准推荐水平;三种生猪饲料的铜和锌含量均远远高于饲养标准,分别为饲养标准的9～45倍和2.7～11倍。如何给各阶段生猪提供合理营养是实现生猪清洁生产和污染变末端治理为源头控制的关键。     

Evaluation of strategies for selection for lean growth rate in pigs

Lean growth rate (LGR) in pigs is a nonlinear biological function of growth rate and lean quantity. According to animal breeding theory, genetic progress for LGR is maximized with selection on a linear index of its component traits, but selection on direct EBV for LGR is also common. In this study, the performance of five criteria for selection on estimated LGR in pigs was evaluated through simulation over five generations: linear indexes of multiple-trait EBV of component traits with or without updating index weights in each generation; a nonlinear index of multiple-trait EBV of component traits; and direct selection on EBV for LGR from a single-trait model or a multiple-trait model that included LGR and component traits. The nonlinear index yielded the highest response in LGR in Generation 5, but the linear index with updating performed almost as well. Not updating weights for the linear index reduced response in LGR by 1.1% in Generation 5 (P < 0.05). Direct selection on single-trait EBV for LGR yielded the lowest responses in Generation 5. Direct selection on EBV for LGR from a multiple-trait animal model yielded a 3.1% greater response in LGR in Generation 5 than direct selection on EBV for LGR based on a single-trait animal model (P < 0.05), but yielded a 1.9% lower response than the nonlinear index. Although differences in response in LGR were limited, alternative selection criteria resulted in substantially different responses in component traits. Linear index selection for LGR placed more emphasis on lean quantity, whereas direct selection for LGR emphasized growth rate. Based on the relative changes in the responses in LGR, selection for estimated LGR based on a nonlinear index or a linear index with updating is recommended for use in the swine industry.     

Effect of pre-weaning selection on estimates of genetic parameters and breeding values for post-weaning growth rate of beef bulls on test

Data on South African Angus cattle consisting of 45 259 records on weaning weight (WWT), 4 360 records on average daily gain from on-farm test (ADG-D) and 1 118 from centralized test (ADG-C) were analyzed to evaluate the effect of pre-weaning selection on estimates of genetic parameters and subsequent estimated breeding values (EBV) for post-weaning average daily gain. (Co)variance components and genetic parameters for weaning weight (WWT), ADG-C and ADG-D were estimated by REML procedures fitting three different animal models. Model 1 was a univariate model of WWT, ADG-C or ADG-D and did not account for the effect of pre-weaning selection on post-weaning ADG. Model 2 was a two-trait model of WWT and either ADG-C or ADG-D. Model 3 was a multi-trait animal model including WWT, ADG-C and ADG-D. Estimates of heritability for ADG-C were 0.39 ± 0.080, 0.42 ± 0.060 and 0.44 ± 0.010 from Model 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Corresponding estimates for ADG-D were 0.18 ± 0.020, 0.19 ± 0.020 and 0.21 ± 0.020 respectively. Rank correlations based on EBVs for ADG-C for all bulls were 0.92, 0.83 and 0.94 for Model 1 vs. Model 2, Model 1 vs. Model 3, and Model 2 vs. Model 3, respectively and they indicated a possible re-ranking of bulls when including or excluding a correlated pre-weaning trait. Rank correlations for ADG-D also followed a similar trend. Inclusion of pre-weaning information in genetic analysis for post-weaning average daily gain is necessary to account for selection at weaning.     

Evaluation of the background for determination of vitamin requirements in pigs

The effects of vitamins on important production and performance traits have been evaluated from the present knowledge of the functions of vitamins in the organism and the effects of deficient and excess supplies.It is concluded that there is a lack of current knowledge on almost all aspects of quantitative metabolism of vitamins. Stress is laid on our need to understand problems of availability and sensitive parameters indicating the vitamin status of the organism.A clear distinction between the scientific determination of requirements, and the allowances recommended by advisers is emphasized. A safety margin has to be added to estimates of requirements to cover farm conditions.     

Effect of Campylobacter spp-induced enteritis on growth rate and feed efficiency in pigs

Diarrhea caused by Campylobacter spp-induced enteritis was observed in pigs that were part of a pneumonia study. Growth rate, feed conversion, and daily health status had been recorded for each pig in the trial. Because diarrhea was the only clinical sign of disease that developed in the control group of pigs, and no other diseases were detected in these pigs at slaughter, it was possible to examine the effect of diarrhea on growth rate and feed efficiency. During the course of the study, 6 of the 16 control pigs had severe diarrhea, 2 were moderately affected, and another 8 were slightly affected or remained clinically normal. Compared with the mean values for each pig, feed intake and daily weight gain were reduced in the week preceding the appearance of clinical disease, but not during the time when diarrhea was observed. Overall performance of pigs with severe diarrhea was not different from that of pigs that were not affected.     

Energy balance and growth rate of outbred and inbred male guinea pigs

Water intake, food consumption, growth rate, and rectal temperature were measured daily for 14 days and oxygen uptake was determined weekly for 3 weeks in healthy outbred (Hartley stock) and inbred (strains 2 and 13) male guinea pigs. Body weights ranged from 300 to 465 g, and ages were approximately 6 to 10 weeks. Strain-13 guinea pigs had the lowest daily body weight gain (3.27 +/- 0.33 g), when compared with strain-2 (4.04 +/- 1.21 g) and Hartley guinea pigs (5.72 +/- 1.08 g). Outbred guinea pigs also had highest values of water intake and water/food intake ratio(s), and had significantly (P less than 0.05 and 0.01) lower oxygen uptake values than did inbred guinea pigs. The ratio of daily average body weight gain to the corresponding daily retained calories, with or without corrections of body surface area (0.05 m2), was higher in Hartley stock than in the strain-13 guinea pigs. Rectal temperatures and food consumption were similar in all guinea pigs. Data indicated that the outbred Hartley guinea pig had a faster growth rate and appeared stronger physiologically, compared with inbred strains.     

大白猪的选育研究与推广

通过对大白猪重新组建核心群,并运用不完全闭锁的群体继代选育方法,对大白猪进行了连续5年的测定选育与推广,使各项指标均已达到或超过了育种目标,胎均产仔数为10．82头,活产仔数为10．19头,21日龄窝重为52．27kg。场内测定公猪日增重为754．87g/日,背膘1．33cm,母猪日增重为748.77g/日,背膘1.26cm。几年来,共推广大白、长大或大长二元杂种猪12000头。     

Research partnerships in relation to topics in animal breeding and genetics

A total of 1,628 papers presented at the sixth and seventh World Congresses on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production were categorized into 20 topics according to research subjects. The aim was to determine, in relation to various topics in animal breeding and genetics, the forms of partnerships and the degree of attention given in different continents. North-North partnerships (defined as cooperation between and within developed countries) had a 68.80% representation of research papers presented, whereas North-South partnerships (cooperation between developed and developing countries) had the least representation with only 8.23% of papers. Asia contributed the most research papers in biochemical genetics, whereas Australia lead in research papers on breeding for fiber and fur. Europe contributed the most to the remaining topics, and Africa usually, but not always, contributed the least to most research topics. This study provided a useful indication of the current state of literature in animal breeding and genetics and will be useful to animal breeding and genetics researchers worldwide as they chart the way forward for research and development in the field of genetics applied to livestock production in different continents.     

Direct and associative effects for androstenone and genetic correlations with backfat and growth in entire male pigs

In the pig industry, male piglets are surgically castrated early in life to prevent boar taint. Boar taint is mainly caused by androstenone and skatole. Androstenone is a pheromone that can be released from the salivary glands when the boar is sexually aroused. Boars are housed in groups and as a consequence boars can influence and be influenced by the phenotype of other boars by (non-)heritable social interactions. The influence of these social interactions on androstenone is not well understood. The objective of this study is to investigate whether androstenone concentrations are affected by (non-)heritable social interactions and estimate their genetic correlation with growth rate and backfat. The dataset contained 6,245 boars, of which 4,455 had androstenone observations (68%). The average number of animals per pen was 7 and boars were housed in 899 unique pen-groups (boars within a single pen) and 344 unique compartment-groups (boars within a unique 'room' within a barn during time). Four models including different random effects, were compared for androstenone. Direct genetic, associative (also known as social genetic or indirect genetic effects), group, compartment, common environment and residual effects were included as random effects in the full model (M3). Including random pen and compartment effects (non-heritable social effects) significantly improved the model (M2) compared with including only direct, common environment and residual as random effects (M1, P < 0.001), and including associative effects even more (M3, P < 0.001). The sum of the direct and associative variance components determines the total genetic variance of the trait. The associative effect explained 11.7% of the total genetic variance. Backfat thickness was analysed using M2 and growth using M3. The genetic correlation between backfat (direct genetic variance) and total genetic variance for androstenone was close to 0. Backfat and the direct and associative effects for androstenone had genetic correlations of 0.14 ± 0.08 and -0.25 ± 0.18, respectively. The genetic correlation between total genetic variances for growth rate and androstenone was 0.33 ± 0.18. The genetic correlation between direct effects was 0.11 ± 0.09 and between associative effects was 0.42 ± 0.31. The genetic correlations and current selection towards lower backfat and greater growth rate suggest that no major change in androstenone is expected when breeding goals are not changed. For selection against boar taint and therefore also against androstenone , results recommend that at least the social environment of the boars should be considered.     

GxE interactions for growth and carcass leanness: Re-ranking of boars in organic and conventional pig production

The objective of this study was to evaluate genotype by environment interactions for growth rate and carcass leanness in organic and conventional pig production environments. Organic breeding values for fattening traits were estimated for 37 Hampshire AI-boars based on slaughter records registered for 1805 crossbred offspring raised in an organic environment. The offspring were born and raised in herds certified for organic production. The statistical model included the fixed effects of sex, litter size at 2 weeks and herd. It also included the random effects of herd-year-season, birth litter and animal. Conventional breeding values for the same boars were captured from the breeding organization’s genetic evaluation. In the organic environment h² was estimated to 0.30 and 0.37 for growth rate and carcass leanness, respectively (r_g = − 0.11). Spearman rank correlations between organic and conventional breeding values, based on 29 boars with ≥ 20 progenies, were 0.48 for growth rate and 0.42 for carcass leanness. Both correlations were significantly different from 0 and 1. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate weak genotype by environment interactions for both growth rate and carcass leanness in organic and conventional pig production environments, and there is some re-ranking of boars’ breeding values between environments.     

杭州市限制养犬规定

2004年7月30日浙江省第十届人民代表大会常务委员会第十二次会议批准的《杭州市人民代表大会常务委员会关于修改〈杭州市限制养犬规定〉的决定》第三次修正     

Effects of choice white grease or poultry fat on growth performance, carcass leanness, and meat quality characteristics of growing-finishing pigs.

Eighty-four crossbred gilts were used to evaluate the effects of dietary choice white grease (CWG) or poultry fat (PF) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and quality characteristics of longissimus muscle (LM), belly, and bacon of growing-finishing pigs. Pigs (initially 60 kg) were fed a control diet with no added fat or diets containing 2, 4, or 6% CWG or PF. Diets were fed from 60 to 110 kg and contained 2.26 g lysine/Mcal ME. Data were analyzed as a 2 x 3 factorial plus a control with main effects of fat source (CWG and PF) and fat level (2, 4, and 6%). Pigs fed the control diet, 2% fat, and 4% fat had greater (P < 0.05) ADFI than pigs fed 6% fat. Pigs fed 6% fat had greater (P < 0.05) gain/feed (G/F) than pigs fed the control diet or other fat levels. Subcutaneous fat over the longissimus muscle from pigs fed CWG had more (P < 0.05) moisture than that from pigs fed PF. Feeding dietary fat (regardless of source or level) reduced (P < 0.05) the amount of saturated fats present in the LM. Similarly, 4 or 6% fat decreased (P < 0.05) the amount of saturated fats and increased unsaturated fats present in the bacon. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed for ADG, dressing percentage, leaf fat weight, LM pH, backfat depth, LM area, percentage lean, LM visual evaluation, LM waterholding capacity, Warner-Bratzler shear and sensory evaluation of the LM and bacon, fat color and firmness measurements, or bacon processing characteristics. Adding dietary fat improved G/F and altered the fatty acid profiles of the LM and bacon, but differences in growth rate, carcass characteristics, and quality and sensory characteristics of the LM and bacon were minimal. Dietary additions of up to 6% CWG or PF can be made with little effect on quality of pork LM, belly, or bacon.     

Thyroid activity in relation to feed intake, growth rate and feed conversion in growing heifers

Phenotypic and genetic parameters for thyroid activity (T4 serum level, T4 apparent distribution volume, T4 fractional turnover rate and T4 degradation), and for certain production traits (roughage dry matter intake, daily weight gain and roughage dry matter/kg weight gain), were investigated in cattle. In the experiment, 480 growing heifers were studied, daughters of 20 AI sires previously tested for thyroid activity. Repeatabilities for thyroid traits 2-3 months apart varied, with an average 0.3-0.6 for the different traits. Heritability estimates based on sire components were 0.1-0.4 for the thyroid traits, 0.16 +/- .10 for roughage intake and 0.18 +/- .11 for daily gain. The sire component for feed efficiency (roughage dry matter/kg weight gain) was 0, and genetic correlations between thyroid traits and the production traits in growing heifers were low with large standard errors.