Genetic differences in serum-neutralization titers of pigs after vaccination with pseudorabies modified live-virus vaccine

Four-week-old pigs of the Chester White, Duroc, Hampshire, Landrace, and Yorkshire breeds (n = 518) were vaccinated with a pseudorabies modified live-virus vaccine to determine whether genetic differences existed for immune response after vaccination. All pigs and their dams (sows) were tested before vaccination to determine preimmunization antibody titers, using a microtitration serum-neutralization (SN) test. The SN test results of sows were negative, as were preimmunization tests of the pigs. At 4 weeks after pigs were vaccinated, additional blood samples were collected from the pigs, and end-point SN titers were determined, using a 2-fold dilution scheme. Small, but statistically significant, breed differences existed for antibody response, with Yorkshire and Chester White pigs having the highest response, and Duroc and Landrace pigs, the lowest. Differences among sire progeny groups were small, but there were significant differences among dams. Genetic differences as seen by differences among breeds indicates that the efficacy of vaccines may vary from breed to breed and that vaccine trials should not neglect this potential source of variation.     

杜洛克猪和大白猪作终端父本的杂交效果比较研究

为比较杜洛克和大白猪作终端父本的杂交效果，进行了杜×长大、大×长大、长×大的比较试验，测定了不同组合的生长速度、饲料转化率、胴体品质和肉质。采用综合评定指数评定结果表明，大×长大组的主要经济性状优于杜×长大组。根据本次试验和国内外大量试验结果，作者论述了利用大白猪，特别近几年从英国引进的大白猪作终端父本生产商品瘦肉猪，逐步替代传统的杜×长大组合的可能性     

猪SLA-DRA基因外显子2多态性及其与仔猪腹泻的关联分析

为探索SLA-DRA基因作为猪抗病育种分子标记的可能性,本研究采用PCR-SSCP和克隆测序方法对大白、长白和杜洛克共216头猪的SLA-DRA基因外显子2进行了多态性研究,分析了该基因与仔猪腹泻的关联性。结果,在SLA-DRA外显子2上检出了3个等位基因和6种基因型;6种基因型(AA、AB、BB、AC、BC和CC)在大白猪和长白猪中都存在,而在杜洛克猪中只检出4种基因型(AA、BB、AB和BC)。杜洛克猪与大白猪和长白猪间基因型分布均差异极显著(P<0.01);3个品种的基因型分布均处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态(P>0.05)。最小二乘法分析表明,品种和性别对仔猪腹泻影响不显著(P>0.05),基因型与仔猪腹泻显著相关(P<0.05);AA和BB基因型个体腹泻评分的最小二乘均值均显著高于AC和CC基因型个体(P<0.05)。本研究表明,SLA-DRA基因不同基因型对仔猪腹泻有着重要的影响,可作为猪抗病育种应用中的一个潜在遗传标记。     

杜洛克、大白、长白猪的生长和肉用性状杂交效果研究

为筛选优化杂交组合,进行了杜洛克（杜）、大白（大）、长白（长）品种间杂交试验,测定了不同品种组合的生长速度、饲料转化率、胴体和肉质性状及其杂种优势率。结果表明,杜洛克、父系大白猪作终端父本与长大杂母猪杂交,其后代的日增重、饲料转化率、屠宰率、胴体长、眼肌面积、后腿比例、瘦肉率及肉质等主要性状均无显著差异。     

猪某些免疫指标及其与部分生产性状关系的研究

实验测定了哈白、杜洛克猪３月龄和５月龄的总数Ｅ－玫瑰花环形成细胞百分率、活性Ｅ－玫瑰花环形成细胞百分率、淋巴细胞转化率、血清ＩｇＧ含量及５月龄接种布氏杆菌猪型二号苗后７、２１、３５６的特异性抗体滴度，对这些免疫指标及其与部分生产性状的关系进行了分析，旨在为猪的抗病育种提供依据。实验结果表明：（１）３月龄和５月龄几个免疫指标均存在品种差异，哈白猪显著地高干杜洛克猪；（２）３月龄与５月龄间所测细胞免疫指标无显著差异，但５月龄血清ＩｇＧ含量显著高于３月龄血清ＩｇＧ含量；（３）哈白与杜洛克猪对布氏杆菌疫苗的抗体应答能力存在显著差异；（４）所测定的细胞免疫指标间大多表现正的相关，体液免疫指标间亦表现正的相关，而细胞免疫指标和体液免疫指标间大多具有较弱的相关；（５）所测定的几个免疫指标与生产性状间大多具有较弱的相关。     

11个猪种SLC6A14基因3个SNPs的群体遗传变异研究

本研究旨在了解猪种的遗传变异、种群间的亲缘关系和遗传分化。以白色杜洛克×二花脸资源家系F0代的17头二花脸母猪和2头白色杜洛克公猪的DNA池为模板,通过直接测序在猪SLC6A14基因内识别4个SNPs,以3个突变位点(g.7944AT、c.1438GA、g.21063GT)为基础,通过PCR-RFLP技术,对11个中外猪种进行多态性检测。结果表明:在SLC6A14g.7944AT和g.21063GT2个突变位点上,所有检测猪种都出现变异,其中槐猪、二花脸猪在g.7944AT位点上变异显著(0.01P0.05);而里岔黑猪、槐猪、玉山黑猪、合作藏猪、八眉猪在g.21063GT内变异极显著(P0.01),以GT基因型为主,且二花脸猪中出现TT基因型;在SLC6A14c.1438GA突变位点上,3个欧洲猪种(长白、大白、杜洛克)没有出现变异,均为GG纯合型,而其他猪种在此位点上均存在变异;再根据11个猪种3个位点的多态性信息计算Nei氏遗传距离,由UPGMA法构建聚类图,说明中国地方猪种与外引猪种存在明显的遗传分化;由此得出中国地方猪种比外引猪种有高的遗传多样性和变异,且存在明显的遗传分化,品种间多数猪种符合品种地域分布和品种特性。     

Values of the indices of acid-base blood homeostasis in sows of various breeds

The indices of the acid-base homeostasis of the blood were studied in 99 sows of the Large White, English Large White, Belgian Landrace, and Hampshire breeds. The blood pH ranged from 7.32 to 7.45, and no significant differences were found between the breeds. The highest pCO2 value of 6.4 kPa was found in the LW breed; in the remaining breeds it was lower. As to base excess values, positive average values ranging from +0.3 to +1.4 mmol .1-1, were found in all the breeds. The values of the buffering stage were fairly balanced and the means ranged from 48.7 to 50.0 mmol .1-1. Balanced average values were also found in standard bicarbonate, where the values ranged from 24.6 to 25.5 mmol .1-1. Actual bicarbonate showed similar values in the Large White breed (27.3 mmol .1-1), English Large White, and Hampshire (26.2 and 26.3 mmol 1-1, respectively). In the Landrace breed the average was only 25.9 mmol .1-1. The average values of CO2 in the blood plasma ranged from 27.1 to 28.7 mmol .1-1.     

Genetic control of immune response to pseudorabies and atrophic rhinitis vaccines: I. Heterosis, general combining ability and relationship to growth and backfat

Data from 988 pigs from 119 litters farrowed in two seasons of a three-breed diallel crossbreeding experiment were analyzed to estimate general combining abilities of breeds and heterosis for humoral immune response to pseudorabies virus and atrophic rhinitis vaccines. Twenty purebred boars and 85 sows of the Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire breeds were mated to provide the nine breed-of-sire and breed-of-dam combinations. Immune response was measured after vaccination. A modified-live pseudorabies virus (PR) vaccine was administered to piglets at 28 d of age and response measured as log2 serum neutralization titers at 56 d. An inactivated B. bronchiseptica bacterin was administered at 28, 42 and 112 d. Antibody levels were measured relative to positive and negative controls at 28, 56 and 119 d by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results of this study showed that ranking by breed of sire and breed of dam did not differ for general combining ability, and no evidence of significant heterosis for any immune responses was observed. Higher immune response at 56 d to B. bronchiseptica vaccine was associated with lower weaning weight (r = -.09, P less than .01). Correlations of days to 100 kg with 56-d and 119-d B. bronchiseptica antibody levels were .15 (P less than .01) and .12 (P less than .01). The relationship between humoral immune response to PR vaccine and growth traits was similar to that observed for B. bronchiseptica vaccine. Immune response to both antigens was not associated with backfat thickness.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of Duroc, Meishan, Fengjing, and Minzhu boars on carcass traits of first-cross barrows.

Duroc, Meishan, Fengjing, and Minzhu boars were mated to crossbred gilts during two breeding seasons. From each sire breed group each season, six pens of approximately eight barrows each were slaughtered. A pen of pigs from each sire breed group was slaughtered at 7-d intervals from 168 to 203 d of age each season. Breed of sire effects were significant for all age-adjusted carcass traits except carcass length, fat thickness at the last rib, color score, and firmness score. At 184 d of age, Duroc crosses had the heaviest (P less than .05) slaughter and carcass weights; Minzhu crosses were lighter (P less than .05) than Meishan crosses but not lighter than Fengjing crosses. Differences among age-constant traits reflect differences in BW. After adjustment to a constant carcass weight of 78 kg, the three Chinese breeds had very similar carcass characteristics. Carcasses sired by Durocs had significantly less backfat and larger longissimus muscle area than carcasses sired by the Chinese breeds. Weight of each trimmed wholesale lean cut and their total weight were significantly higher for Duroc crosses than for Chinese crosses. Breed of sire means did not differ significantly for belly weight, but Duroc crosses had less (P less than .05) weight of leaf fat. Relative to Chinese crosses, longissimus muscles from Duroc crosses had more marbling (P less than .05). Sire breed groups did not differ significantly for color or firmness score. Pigs sired by Meishan, Fengjing, and Minzhu produced carcasses with significantly less lean content at a carcass weight of 78 kg than did pigs sired by Duroc.     

Cleft palate associated with an unbalanced karyotype in piglets sired by a heterozygous carrier boar with a balanced constitutional reciprocal translocation

The progeny of a commercial (Landrace x Duroc) x Large White boar contained a number of piglets with cleft palates. Chromosomal analyses of five affected piglets showed that they all had an identical unbalanced karyotype with partial monosomy of chromosome 16 and partial trisomy of chromosome 3, whereas the normal piglets in the litters had balanced karyotypes. The chromosomal imbalance was the direct result of a constitutional balanced reciprocal translocation carried by their heterozygote sire, described, according to the standard nomenclature, as t(3;16)(q23;q22).     

Crossbreeding experiment with beef and dual-purpose sire breeds on Danish dairy cows

The experimental design and objectives are outlined for a crossbreeding experiment with European beef breeds as sire breeds and RDM (Danish Red), SDM (Black Pied Danish) and Danish Jersey as dam breeds.Results from a calving survey of 1006 single calvings are presented. Gestation length, birth weight and calving performance were strongly influenced by breed of sire, breed of dam and sex of calf. The variation in gestation length seemed to have only a slight effect on birth weight. The variation in birth weight had a strong effect on calving performance.The ranking of the sire breeds in descending order according to the frequency of unasisted calvings (which varied from 70 to 26 percent) was as follows: Hereford, Limousin, Danish Red and White Cattle, Simmental, Blonde d'Aquitaine, Chianina, Charolais and Romagnola.     

Effect of leg conformation on survivability of Duroc, Landrace, and Large White sows

Sow longevity influences farm economy and can be considered an important indicator of animal welfare. Body features such as leg conformation can play a key role in sow longevity, although little is known about its effect on culling decisions. Within this context, longevity data from 587 Duroc, 239 Landrace, and 217 Large White sows were analyzed with special emphasis on the effect of leg conformation. Sow longevity was analyzed twice for each breed, testing the effect of a subjective overall score for leg conformation, or the presence or absence of 6 specific leg conformation defects. Each preliminary model also included a teat conformation score with 3 levels, farm or origin, backfat thickness at 6 mo of age, and 2 continuous sources of variation, namely the age at the first farrowing and the number of piglets born alive at each farrowing. Overall leg conformation score influenced (P < 0.01) sow longevity in Duroc, Landrace, and Large White sows, with a greater hazard ratio (HR) for poorly conformed sows (1.56, 2.16, and 1.79, respectively) than for well-conformed sows (0.32, 0.66, and 0.68, respectively). Abnormal hoof growth reduced survivability in Duroc (HR = 2.78; P < 0.001) and Landrace sows (HR = 1.88; P < 0.01); the presence of splayed feet (P < 0.05) or bumps and injuries (P < 0.001) increased the risk of culling in Duroc sows (HR = 2.08 and 3.57, respectively), whereas the incidence of straight pastern increased the HR in Large White sows (HR = 2.49; P < 0.01). In all 3 breeds, longevity decreased for plantigrade sows, with a greater HR in Duroc (HR = 3.38; P < 0.001) than in Landrace (HR = 1.53; P < 0.10) and Large White sows (HR = 1.73; P < 0.05). Teat conformation did not influence sow longevity (P > 0.10). Estimates of heritability for longevity in Duroc sows ranged from 0.05 to 0.07 depending on the algorithm applied. Leg conformation had a substantial effect on sow longevity, where an accurate removal of poorly leg-conformed candidate gilts before first mating could improve sow survival and reduce culling costs. These moderate estimates of heritability indicated that survivability of Duroc sows could be genetically improved by direct selection for leg conformation.     

Effects of Duroc, Meishan, Fengjing, and Minzhu boars on productivity of mates and growth of first-cross progeny.

Meishan, Fengjing, Minzhu, and Duroc boars were mated by AI to crossbred gilts to compare the sire breeds for effects on productivity of their mates and performance of their progeny. Gilts were derived from a four-way cross of Chester White, Landrace, Large White, and Yorkshire. At weaning, litters sired by Meishan boars averaged 1.69 and 1.32 more pigs than those sired by Duroc and Minzhu boars, respectively (P less than .05). Pigs sired by Meishan and Fengjing boars averaged 1.2 to 1.8 more nipples than pigs sired by Duroc and Minzhu boars (P less than .05). Minzhu-sired pigs had a lower (P less than .05) survival rate to 14 and 28 d of age than did those sired by Meishan, Fengjing, and Duroc. Fengjing-sired pigs were heavier than Minzhu-sired pigs at birth and heavier than Minzhu- and Duroc-sired pigs at 14, 28, and 56 d of age (P less than .05). At 70 d of age, Meishan-sired pigs were heaviest, followed in order by Fengjing-, Duroc-, and Minzhu-sired pigs. At 98 d of age, Meishan-sired pigs were significantly heavier than all other breed groups and Duroc-sired pigs were significantly heavier than Minzhu-sired pigs. At 126 and 154 d of age, Duroc-sired pigs were heaviest, followed in order by Meishan-, Fengjing-, and Minzhu-sired pigs; all differences were significant. Average backfat thickness of gilts at 99.7 kg was least for Duroc-sired gilts and highest for Meishan-sired gilts. Sire breed groups did not differ significantly in feed efficiency from 70 to 98 d of age. Duroc-sired pigs were the most efficient (P less than .05) from 98 to 126 and 126 to 154 d of age. Results indicate that use of these Chinese breeds in crossbreeding programs will decrease performance traits. This decrease would have to be offset by increases in reproductive efficiency of Chinese sows, use of repartitioning agents, or other management techniques if Chinese pigs are to improve overall production efficiency of a crossbreeding program.     

Simultaneous identification of two MspI polymorphisms of the porcine myogenin gene in Hungarian breeds

Simultaneous analysis of two myogenin (MYOG) loci has been carried out using polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) tests in DNA isolated from blood samples collected from four different pig breeds (Hungarian Large White, Duroc, Mangalica and Hungarian Landrace). The following MYOG^A frequency values have been obtained: Hungarian Large White 0.2416; Duroc 0.0900; Mangalica 0.6617; Hungarian Landrace 0.2361. The MYOG² allele was found in Duroc and Mangalica breeds only. This test allows the analysis of two loci of the MYOG gene in parallel, which might be used in marker assisted selection programmes in the near future. Ongoing studies on the possible effects of the MYOG types on carcass and growth traits are outlined.     

Identification of mutations of zona pellucida glycoprotein (ZP3) and its association with pig reproductive traits

Reproduction is a complex trait, controlled by genetic and environmental factors. Genetic improvement of this trait is important for animal breeders to improve the animal's production efficiency. Apart from genetic factors, animal production can be affected by environmental factors, i.e. the nursing ability of the sow, which is in turn affected directly by effective teat number (teats producing milk normally, TN) and number of piglets born alive (NBA). The objective of this study was to find new mutations, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the Zona Pellucida glycoprotein gene (ZP3) using Single Strand Chain Polymorphism (SSCP) and nucleotide sequencing and to investigate association between genetic variations and sow reproductive traits. We identified 13 new SNPs from exon 1, two new SNPs from intron 2, one SNP from intron 6 and a 18 bp (GCACGTGGTCCTCCTGG)‐deletion/insertion from intron 2 of the ZP3 gene. Five out of these mutations were selected to genotype in five different breeds (Small Meishan, Qingping, Duroc, Landrace and Large White) and association with reproductive traits in European breeds (Duroc, Landrace and Large White). The sows with genotype AA had more 1.11 piglets NBA than of the sows with genotype AB (p < 0.05) in the 18 bp deletion/insertion of intron 2, while non‐significant associations between the other mutations and reproductive traits (NBA and TN) were found.     

不同品种育成猪基线免疫性状的比较

为了比较不同品种育成猪基线免疫指标的差异,研究选用巴马香猪、本地黑猪和杜长大3个品种育成猪,采用显微镜平板计数法计数红、白细胞总数;血涂片法测定白细胞分类计数;EA花环形成试验检测B淋巴细胞的百分率;流式细胞仪检测T淋巴细胞亚群百分率。结果表明:巴马香猪红细胞总数(RBC)、中性粒细胞百分率(GR%)、嗜酸性粒细胞百分率(EO%)以及T淋巴细胞亚群CD4+、CD8+百分率(CD4+%、CD8+%)等5项指标与本地黑猪、杜长大t检验差异显著(P<0.05),其中RBC和GR%显著高于本地黑猪和杜长大,EO%以及CD3+%、CD4+%、CD8+%显著低于本地黑猪和杜长大(P<0.05)。B淋巴细胞百分率(BLY%)显著低于本地黑猪,嗜碱性粒细胞(BASO%)显著低于杜长大,而白细胞总数(WBC)、淋巴细胞百分率(LY%)、单核细胞百分率(MO%)和CD4+/CD8+等4项指标与本地黑猪、杜长大基本一致。对本地黑猪与杜长大进行比较发现,WBC与BYL%2项差异显著。说明品种是影响基线免疫性状的一个重要因素,但对同一品种猪,各项指标间没有相关性。     

不同品种猪α1-岩藻糖转移酶基因遗传变异初析

本实验采用PCR RFLP方法对 5个瘦肉型猪种杜洛克、长白猪、大白猪、汉普夏猪和皮特兰猪共计 2 5 0头猪的α1 岩藻糖转移酶基因 (FUT1)进行多态性分析。结果表明 :本研究中的 5个猪种在该FUT1基因座位存在多态性 ,均分布着三种基因型 (AA ,AG和GG) ,抗性基因型AA分布频率为 0 .0 2 8,易感基因型AG与GG分布频率分别为0 .2 4 4和 0 .72 8。卡方检验结果表明 ,长白猪与大白猪基因型频率差异极显著 (P <0 .0 1) ,与皮特兰猪之间差异显著(P <0 .0 5 ) ,其它猪种之间差异均不显著。     

Production of Middle White Piglets after Transfer of Embryos Produced In Vitro

The present study was conducted to examine the feasibility of in vitro embryo production and transfer technologies for producing Middle White piglets. After collection from three retired Middle White sows, a total of 222 oocytes were matured, fertilized and cultured in vitro, and a total of 50 embryos from the 4-cell to blastocyst stage were produced by the 4th or 5th day. These embryos were transferred individually into three recipients along with 5 in vivo-derived Duroc blastocysts. All of the recipients became pregnant, and they farrowed a total of 9 Middle White and 9 Duroc piglets. These results suggest that in vitro embryo production using ovaries from retired sows is useful for reproduction of pigs of pure breeds including the Middle White for breeding activities and conservation/utilization of genetic resources.     

Innate immune traits differ between Meishan and Large White pigs

A panel of innate immune traits were compared between Meishan and Large White pigs. These pigs were of similar age and kept under the same environmental conditions to reduce non-genetically derived variation in immune traits. The animals were all apparently healthy and were not experimentally challenged with any pathogen during the study. The measures only required a small blood sample. Total white cell counts were similar between the pig breeds. However, the numbers of lymphocytes, neutrophils and monocytes differed significantly, with Meishans having higher neutrophil and monocyte counts and lower lymphocyte counts. Flow cytometric methods were used to determine quantitatively the characteristics and function of neutrophils and monocytes. Meishan neutrophils were smaller and less complex than Large White neutrophils, and phagocytosis of Escherichia coli and the ensuing oxidative burst was lower in Meishan neutrophils compared to Large White neutrophils. Monocyte phagocytosis of E. coli was significantly less than that of neutrophils in both breeds but the function of Meishan monocytes as measured by phagocytosis and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) release did not differ from that of Large White monocytes. Levels of acute phase proteins also differed between the breeds with a significantly higher proportion of Meishans having elevated serum amyloid A levels. However, Meishans had lower alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein levels than Large Whites and haptoglobin levels were similar. Such differences in innate immune traits may have implications in the resistance to infection by a broad range of pathogens and subsequent disease effects in these breeds. Further studies are warranted to investigate the genes underlying these traits.     

不同品种、月份、月龄及采精间隔对猪精液品质的影响

为研究不同品种、采精月份、采精月龄和采精间隔等因素对加系公猪精液品质的影响,以及品种、初次采精周龄对精液质量稳定性的影响,本研究以江西某种公猪站79头加系大白猪、长白猪、杜洛克猪种公猪为试验群体,收集2018年12月至2020年12月3 921条精液采集与精液质量数据,通过混合线性模型与方差分析探究各因素对精液量、精液密度、精子活力、总精子数及其稳定性的影响。结果显示,从不同品种对精液质量的影响来看,长白猪精液量和总精子数均高于大白猪、杜洛克猪,但杜洛克猪精液密度高于长白猪、大白猪,杜洛克猪精子活力最低;从不同月份来看,1~3月采精精液密度最高,4~6月采精精子活力最高,10~12月采精精液量和总精子数最高,精液量呈现秋冬多、春夏少的季节变化规律。公猪不同月龄采精,精液质量指标也存在差异,月龄越小精液量越低,但精液密度偏高,精子活力相对较好,在19~24月龄黄金期总精子数最高。不同采精间隔对精液质量有较大影响,采精间隔越长,精液量、精液密度、精子活力和总精子数相对较好,采精间隔为5 d时综合性能最佳,但过长的采精间隔导致精子活力降低。品种影响总精子数稳定性,长白猪、大白猪总精子数稳定性显著优于杜洛克猪（P<0.05）。本研究结果表明,品种、采精月份、采精月龄和采精间隔均会影响公猪精液质量,关注这些因素有助于公猪站制定更完善的生产计划,提高公猪利用率。