Deposition rates and accretion patterns of intramuscular fat, loin muscle area, and backfat of Duroc pigs sired by boars from two time periods

A study was conducted to evaluate differences in performance and in carcass composition and tissue deposition rates between purebred Duroc pigs sired by boars currently available and those sired by boars from the mid-1980s. Two lines were developed by randomly allocating littermate and half-sib pairs of females to matings by current time period (CTP) or old time period (OTP) boars. Pigs from 2 replications were placed on test at a group mean BW of 63.5 kg. Serial ultrasonic measurements of the 10th-rib LM area (LMA), off-midline backfat (BF10), and intramuscular fat percentage (IMF) were collected every 2 wk in the first replication and used to assess deposition rate differences. Off-test ultrasonic LMA, BF10, and IMF measurements from a total of 557 pigs from 23 CTP sires and 232 pigs from 15 OTP sires across 2 replications and at a mean BW of 109 kg were evaluated. All available barrows and randomly selected gilts (n = 277) were sent to a commercial abattoir, and carcass measurements of 10th-rib backfat, last-rib backfat, last lumbar backfat, and LMA were collected. Analysis of serial backfat measurements revealed a linear relationship between back-fat and BW between 73 and 118 kg for pigs from both time periods. Pigs sired by OTP boars deposited more backfat (P < 0.05) at a faster rate than pigs sired by CTP boars over the entire test period. A curvilinear cumulative tissue deposition pattern was revealed for ultrasonically estimated LMA and IMF within both time periods. Significant linear and quadratic regression coefficient differences between lines indicated that pigs sired by CTP boars deposited more LMA and less IMF per kilogram of BW gain than pigs sired by OTP boars. Pigs sired by CTP boars had more LMA and less BF10 (P < 0.05), whereas pigs sired by OTP boars had more IMF (P = 0.04). Carcass evaluation revealed more (P < 0.01) carcass measurements of LMA and less (P < 0.05) carcass measurements of 10th-rib backfat, carcass measurements of last-rib backfat, and carcass measurements of last lumbar backfat for pigs sired by CTP boars. No difference (P > 0.05) between the time periods was found for ADG over the entire test period. Results from this study illustrate that significant progress in carcass composition has been realized within the Duroc breed since the mid-1980s. The long-term selection response in carcass leanness has also resulted in changes in deposition rates of correlated traits such as LMA and IMF.     

Production characteristics of Dutch Landrace and Dutch Yorkshire pigs as related to their susceptibility for the halothane-induced malignant hyperthermia syndrome

During a one-year survey a total of 1034 Dutch Yorkshire and 1640 Dutch Landrace pigs were subjected to the halothane-test after their arrival at one of the national pig testing stations. The average percentage reactors was 3% in the Dutch Yorkshire breed and 22% in the Dutch Landrace breed. Death losses during the fattening period and during the transport of the gilts to the slaughter-house were almost ten times higher in reacting as in non-reacting Dutch Landrace pigs (5.27% vs 0.56%). In the Dutch Landrace breed significant differences were found between reactors and non-reactors in the growth traits of the boars and in all carcass and meat quality characteristics of the gilts, which confirm previous observations. However, in the Yorkshire breed no significant differences were found in these traits between reacting and non-reacting animals. The conflicting results obtained in this breed are discussed. It is suggested that the halothane-test will be most effective for minimization of stress-susceptibility and abnormal meat quality when used as a selection criterion in commercial breeding and selection of Dutch Landrace pigs.     

Responses to 19 generations of litter size selection in the NE Index line. II. Growth and carcass responses estimated in pure line and crossbred litters

Our objective was to estimate responses in growth and carcass traits in the NE Index line (I) that was selected for 19 generations for increased litter size. Differences between Line I and the randomly selected control line (C) were estimated in pure line litters and in F1 and three-way cross litters produced by mating I and C females with males of unrelated lines. Contrasts of means were used to estimate the genetic difference between I and C and interactions of line differences with mating type. In Exp 1, 694 gilts that were retained for breeding, including 538 I and C and 156 F1 gilts from I and C dams mated with Danbred NA Landrace (L) sires, were evaluated. Direct genetic effects of I and C did not differ for backfat (BF) at 88.2 kg or days to 88.2 kg; however, I pigs had 1.58 cm2 smaller LM area than did C pigs (P < 0.05). Averaged over crosses, F1 gilts had 0.34 cm less BF, 4.29 cm2 greater LM area, and 31 d less to 88.2 kg than did pure line gilts (P < 0.05). In Exp 2, barrows and gilts were individually penned for feed intake recording from 27 to 113 kg and slaughtered. A total of 43 I and C pigs, 77 F1 pigs produced from pure line females mated with either L or Danbred NA 3/4 Duroc, 1/4 Hampshire boars (T), and 76 three-way cross pigs produced from F1 females mated with T boars were used. Direct genetic effects of I and C did not differ for ADFI, ADG, G:F, days to 113 kg, BF, LM area, ultimate pH of the LM, LM Minolta L* score, or percentage of carcass lean. Interactions of line effects with crossing system were significant only for days to 113 kg. Pure line I pigs took 4.58+/-4.00 d more to reach 113 kg than did C pigs, whereas I cross F1 pigs reached 113 kg in 6.70+/-3.95 d less than C cross F1 pigs. Three-way cross and F1 pigs did not differ significantly for most traits, but the average crossbred pig consumed more feed (0.23+/-0.04 kg/d), gained more BW per unit of feed consumed (0.052+/-0.005 kg/kg), grew faster (0.20+/-0.016 kg/d), had less BF (-0.89+/-0.089 cm), greater LM area (5.74+/-0.926 cm2), more lean (6.21+/-0.90%), and higher L* score (5.27+/-1.377) than the average pure line pig did (P < 0.05). Nineteen generations of selection for increased litter size produced few correlated responses in growth and carcass traits, indicating these traits are largely genetically independent of litter size, ovulation rate, and embryonic survival.     

Genetic correlation between boars, barrows and gilts for various carcass traits

Data from 11 generations of a selection study were analyzed to estimate genetic correlations between boars and gilts, boars and barrows, and gilts and barrows for carcass traits in the Lacombe and Yorkshire breeds of swine. Genetic correlations were estimated to determine if genotype X sex interactions existed and to assess the need for separate genetic parameters for boars and gilts in selection response equations. Genotype X sex interactions were found for total carcass fat/kg of cold carcass weight, area of lean in the ham face/kg of cold carcass weight and percent lean in the ham face/kg of cold carcass weight. Carcass length, longissimus muscle area/kg of cold carcass weight percent ham of side and percent lean in the ham face did not have genotype X sex interactions. Selection based on pooled genetic parameters over sex were favored over selection based on separate genetic parameters regardless of the presence or absence of genotype X sex interactions.     

Mass selection for increased 200-day weight in a closed line of Landrace pigs

Mass selection for increased weight at 200 d of age was conducted for six generations in a line of Landrace pigs. In the select line, the heaviest nine boars and 18 gilts were selected from each generation to produce the subsequent generation. A contemporaneous control line was maintained by randomly selecting a son from each sire and a daughter from each dam to attain a line size of five boars and 10 gilts. Inbreeding coefficients averaged .182 and .191 for the select- and control-line pigs and .150 and .162 for the select- and control-line dams, respectively, in the sixth generation. The 200-d weights and ultrasound backfat thickness data were collected from 1,022 pigs of 2,181 pigs farrowed. These pigs were sired by 92 boars and out of 210 sows. The generation interval was 13 mo. Twelve traits were studied: weights at birth and at 21, 35, 70, 154, and 200 d of age; daily gains from birth to 35 d, 35 to 70 d, 70 to 154 d, and 154 to 200 d; ultrasound backfat thickness at 200 d; and ultrasound backfat thickness adjusted for 200-d weight. Total weighted cumulative selection differential for 200-d weight was 88.7 kg. Realized heritability for 200-d weight was .26 +/- .08 with an average response of 4.2 +/- 1.3 kg/generation. Correlated responses resulted in increases for all weights and daily gains evaluated. Although ultrasound backfat thickness at 200 d increased in the select line compared to the control line, it was not altered by selection for 200-d weight when adjusted for 200-d weight.     

Selection response and genetic parameters for residual feed intake in Yorkshire swine

Residual feed intake (RFI) is a measure of feed efficiency defined as the difference between the observed feed intake and that predicted from the average requirements for growth and maintenance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response in a selection experiment consisting of a line selected for low RFI and a random control line and to estimate the genetic parameters for RFI and related production and carcass traits. Beginning with random allocation of purebred Yorkshire littermates, in each generation, electronically measured ADFI, ADG, and ultrasound backfat (BF) were evaluated during a approximately 40- to approximately 115-kg of BW test period on approximately 90 boars from first parity and approximately 90 gilts from second parity sows of the low RFI line. After evaluation of first parity boars, approximately 12 boars and approximately 70 gilts from the low RFI line were selected to produce approximately 50 litters for the next generation. Approximately 30 control line litters were produced by random selection and mating. Selection was on EBV for RFI from an animal model analysis of ADFI, with on-test group and sex (fixed), pen within group and litter (random), and covariates for interactions of on- and off-test BW, on-test age, ADG, and BF with generations. The RFI explained 34% of phenotypic variation in ADFI. After 4 generations of selection, estimates of heritability for RFI, ADFI, ADG, feed efficiency (FE, which is the reciprocal of the feed conversion ratio and equals ADG/ ADFI), and ultrasound-predicted BF, LM area (LMA), and intramuscular fat (IMF) were 0.29, 0.51, 0.42, 0.17, 0.68, 0.57, and 0.28, respectively; predicted responses based on average EBV in the low RFI line were -114, -202, and -39 g/d for RFI (= 0.9 phenotypic SD), ADFI (0.9 SD), and ADG (0.4 SD), respectively, and 1.56% for FE (0.5 SD), -0.37 mm for BF (0.1 SD), 0.35 cm(2) for LMA (0.1 SD), and -0.10% for IMF (0.3 SD). Direct phenotypic comparison of the low RFI and control lines based on 92 low RFI and 76 control gilts from the second parity of generation 4 showed that selection had significantly decreased RFI by 96 g/d (P = 0.002) and ADFI by 165 g/d (P < 0.0001). The low RFI line also had 33 g/d lower ADG (P = 0.022), 1.36% greater FE (P = 0.09), and 1.99 mm less BF (P = 0.013). There was not a significant difference in LMA and other carcass traits, including subjective marbling score, despite a large observed difference in ultrasound-predicted IMF (-1.05% with P < 0.0001). In conclusion, RFI is a heritable trait, and selection for low RFI has significantly decreased the feed required for a given rate of growth and backfat.     

Genetic parameters for feed efficiency traits and their relationships with growth and carcass traits in Duroc pigs

Genetic parameters for feed efficiency traits of 380 boars and growth and carcass traits of 1642 pigs (380 boars, 868 gilts and 394 barrows) in seven generations of Duroc population were estimated. Feed efficiency traits included the feed conversion ratio (FCR), and nutritional (RFI(nut)), phenotypic (RFI(phe)) and genetic (RFI(gen)) residual feed intake. Growth and carcass traits were the age to reach 105-kg body weight (A105), loin eye muscle area (EMA), backfat (BF), intra-muscular fat (IMF) and meat tenderness. The mean values for RFI(phe) and RFI(gen) were close to zero and for RFI(nut) was negative. All the measures of feed efficiency were moderately heritable (h(2) = 0.31, 0.38, 0.40 and 0.27 for RFI(nut), RFI(phe), RFI(gen) and FCR respectively). The heritabilities for all growth and carcass traits were moderate (ranged from 0.37 to 0.45), except for BF, which was high (0.72). The genetic correlations of RFI(phe) and RFI(gen) with A105 were positive and high. Measures of RFI were correlated negatively with EMA. BF was more strongly correlated with measures of RFI (r(g) > or = 0.73) than with FCR (r(g) = 0.52). Selection for daily gain, EMA, BF and IMF caused favourable genetic changes in feed efficiency traits. Results of this study indicate that selection against either RFI(phe) or RFI(gen) would give a similar correlated response in carcass traits.     

Interrelationships between sex and exogenous growth hormone administration on performance, body composition and protein and fat accretion of growing pigs

Forty-five pigs with an average initial live weight of 60 kg were used to investigate the effects of daily exogenous porcine pituitary growth hormone administration at two dose levels (pGH; 0, excipient buffer injected, and 100 micrograms.kg-1.d-1) for a 31-d period on the performance and body composition of boars, gilts and barrows allowed to consume feed ad libitum. Excipient boars consumed less feed, exhibited faster and more efficient growth (P less than .01) and produced less fat and more protein and water (P less than .01) in the empty body compared with excipient barrows, which in turn contained more fat and less water (P less than .05) in the empty body than did excipient gilts. These differences were largely eliminated by pGH administration, which induced differential effects in growth performance and body composition in boars, gilts and barrows. Growth hormone administration improved growth rate by 13, 22 and 16% and feed conversion efficiency by 19, 34 and 32% in boars, gilts and barrows, respectively. The reduction of body fat content (g/kg) elicited by pGH was 22, 36 and 33% for boars, gilts and barrows, respectively, with a corresponding increase (P less than .01) of body protein and water content. The magnitude of the pGH responses was greatest for gilts and barrows compared with boars, negating intrinsic sex-effect differences in growth performance and body composition of pigs. Pigs used in this study and treated with pGH exhibited a rate of protein deposition (approximately 225 g/d) far greater than previously reported, and as such redefine the genetic capacity for lean tissue growth by the pig.     

Comparison of plasma FSH concentration in boars and gilts from lines selected for ovulation rate and embryonal survival, and litter size and estimation of (co)variance components for FSH and ovulation rate

The objective of this research was to determine whether plasma concentration of FSH was genetically correlated with ovulation rate and thus was a useful trait for indirect selection. Blood samples were collected from 619 animals from five lines of pigs. Line I was selected for increased index of ovulation rate and embryonal survival, and Line C was its randomly selected control. Pigs sampled from Lines I and C were from generations 12 and 13. Pigs from three additional lines that were derived from eighth-generation pigs of Lines I and C also were used. These lines were Line C2, a randomly selected control derived from Line C, Line COL, derived from Line C, and Line IOL, derived from Line I; each of these lines was selected an additional five generations for increased ovulation rate and increased litter size. A single blood sample was collected from each pig between 46 to 63 (d 58), 86 to 98 (d 90), 110 to 133 (d 124), and 147 to 153 (d 150) d of age. The heritability of ovulation rate was .28 and heritabilities of plasma concentration of FSH at d 58, 90, 124, and 150 were .41, .25, .12, and 0, respectively. Genetic correlations between ovulation rate and d-58, d-90, and d-124 plasma concentration of FSH were .31, .23, and 0, respectively. Line I gilts had greater estimated breeding values for plasma concentration of FSH at d 58 and 90 than Line C gilts (P < .01). Line COL gilts had greater estimated breeding values for plasma concentration of FSH at d 58 than Line C2 gilts (P < .01). Line I boars had greater estimated breeding values for plasma concentration of FSH at d 90 than Line C boars (P < .05). Even though genetic correlations were low, selection for increased plasma concentration of FSH was estimated to be 93% as effective in changing ovulation rate as direct selection because selection for FSH can be practiced in both sexes. Thus, selection for increased plasma concentration of FSH seems to be a practical method for increasing ovulation rate in pig breeding programs without using laparoscopy.     

Novel insight into the control of litter size in pigs, using placental efficiency as a selection tool.

Chinese Meishan pigs produce three to five more pigs per litter than less-prolific U.S. or European pig breeds as a result of a markedly decreased placental size and an increased pig weight: placental weight ratio (placental efficiency). We hypothesized that as a result of their intense selection for prolificacy, the Chinese had indirectly selected for a smaller, more efficient placenta in the Meishan breed. The goals of this study were to determine whether 1) significant variation in placental size and efficiency existed within our population of purebred Yorkshire pigs and 2) selection of pigs (boars and gilts) based on clear differences in placental size and efficiency would affect litter size. There was significant (approximately threefold) variation in placental efficiency in our herd of Yorkshire pigs, and marked (approximately twofold) variation existed within individual litters. We then selected pigs (boars and gilts) that had either a higher (A Group) or lower (B Group) than average placental efficiency. Although the birth weights of selected A Group pigs were similar to those of the B Group pigs, they had markedly smaller placentae. Males from each group (A or B) were bred to the females of the same group, and farrowing data were collected from parities 1 and 2. In both parities, A Group females farrowed more live pigs per litter than did B Group females (12.5 +/- .7 vs 9.6 +/- .5, P < .05). Although A Group pigs were on average approximately 20% lighter than B group pigs (1.2 +/- .1 vs 1.5 +/- .1 kg, P < .05), their placentae were approximately 40% lighter (250 +/- 10 vs 347 +/- 15 g, P < .01), resulting in a marked increase in placental efficiency. The results of this study suggest that selection on placental size and efficiency may provide a valuable tool for optimizing litter size in commercially important pig breeds.     

Mass selection for increased 70-day weight in a closed line of Landrace pigs

Mass selection for increased weight at 70 d of age was practiced for six generations in a line of Landrace pigs. It was desired to have the next generation sired by the heaviest nine boars and out of the heaviest 27 gilts. A contemporaneous, randomly selected (by pedigree) control line was maintained in which the next generation was sired by five boars and out of 10 gilts. Inbreeding coefficients were .208 and .214 for the selected and control line litters and .177 and .189 for the selected and control line dams in the sixth generation, respectively. A total of 1,906 pigs was farrowed with 70-d weights collected on 1,267 pigs. These pigs were sired by 88 boars and out of 190 gilts. The generation interval was 13 mo. Six traits were studied: birth, 21-d, 35-d and 70-d weights and preweaning (from birth to 35 d) and postweaning (from 35 to 70 d) daily gains. Direct and correlated responses per generation and per weighted cumulative selection differential (WCSD) were estimated. Total WCSD for 70-d weight was 30.3 kg. This corresponds to a standardized WCSD of 6.11 phenotypic standard deviations. The response per generation for 70-d weight was .65 +/- .29 kg. The realized heritability for 70-d weight was .13 +/- .06. Nearly all the increased weight at 70 d was the result of more rapid growth in the postweaning period, with little difference in growth in the preweaning period; birth, 21-d and 35-d weights and preweaning daily gains remained unchanged by selection for 70-d weight.     

Leg weakness in pigs. I. Incidence and relationship to skeletal lesions, feed level, protein and mineral supply, exercise and exterior conformation

Out of 373 Landrace boars and gilts involved in feeding experiments, 18.2 % showed severe degree leg weakness and 30 % mild degree leg weakness at 100 kg live weight. Of the boars at pig A.I. stations 23.9 % were slaughtered because of leg weakness, 75 % of these being under 1½ years. The practical significance of leg weakness is greatest in young breeding stock. High feed level in slaughter pigs resulted in poorer locomotory ability than medium feed level. Exercise resulted in pigs showing better movements. Variations of minerals and protein within limits used in practical feeding did not have any influence on the incidence of leg weakness. There was no statistically significant relationship (P > 0.05) between joint lesions and locomotory ability in pigs at 100 kg live weight, although severe lesions seemed to lead to poorer mobility. The joint regions which seemed to be mainly involved in severe degree leg weakness in boars were the elbow and stifle joints (31.3 %), the lumbar intervertebral joints (28.1 %) and the hip region (15.6 %). There was a significant relationship between narrow lumbar region, broad hams, large relative width between the stifle joints, and poor locomotory ability in slaughter pigs.     

Effect of sex and exogenous porcine somatotropin on longissimus muscle fiber characteristics of growing pigs

Thirty-seven pigs with an initial live weight of 60 kg were used to investigate the effects of daily exogenous porcine somatotropin (pST) administration at two dose levels (0 and 100 micrograms.kg-1.d-1) for a 31-d period on muscle fiber characteristics and meat tenderness of boars, gilts and barrows. Excipient boars and gilts had more alpha W and fewer alpha R fibers than did those receiving pST. The percentage of muscle fiber type for barrows was not affected by pST treatment. The administration of pST resulted in an increase in muscle fiber size for all three fiber types in all three sexes, but these changes were of greater magnitude in barrows (31.8%) and gilts (27.8%) than in boars (9.3%). Somatotropin negated the intrinsic sex effect differences in fiber area of the pigs. There was no difference in tenderness among excipient boars, barrows and gilts; however, with the inclusion of pST, shear force decreased in boars and gilts and increased in barrows. A high proportion of the pST-treated pigs contained giant fibers in the longissimus muscle. Furthermore, a small proportion of the pST-treated pigs exhibited pale, soft, exudative muscle. Whether the giant fiber anomalies occurred through increased muscle activity or from fibers undergoing degenerative changes was not determined.     

Genetic analysis of longitudinal measurements of performance traits in selection lines for residual feed intake in Yorkshire swine

A 5-generation selection experiment in Yorkshire pigs for feed efficiency consists of a line selected for low residual feed intake (LRFI) and a random control line (CTRL). The objectives of this study were to use random regression models to estimate genetic parameters for daily feed intake (DFI), BW, backfat (BF), and loin muscle area (LMA) along the growth trajectory and to evaluate the effect of LRFI selection on genetic curves for DFI and BW. An additional objective was to compare random regression models using polynomials (RRP) and spline functions (RRS). Data from approximately 3 to 8 mo of age on 586 boars and 495 gilts across 5 generations were used. The average number of measurements was 85, 14, 5, and 5 for DFI, BW, BF, and LMA. The RRP models for these 4 traits were fitted with pen × on-test group as a fixed effect, second-order Legendre polynomials of age as fixed curves for each generation, and random curves for additive genetic and permanent environmental effects. Different residual variances were used for the first and second halves of the test period. The RRS models were fitted with the same fixed effects and residual variance structure as the RRP models and included genetic and permanent environmental random effects for both splines and linear Legendre polynomials of age. The RRP model was used for further analysis because the RRS model had erratic estimates of phenotypic variance and heritability, despite having a smaller Bayesian information criterion than the RRP model. From 91 to 210 d of age, estimates of heritability from the RRP model ranged from 0.10 to 0.37 for boars and 0.14 to 0.26 for gilts for DFI, from 0.39 to 0.58 for boars and 0.55 to 0.61 for gilts for BW, from 0.48 to 0.61 for boars and 0.61 to 0.79 for gilts for BF, and from 0.46 to 0.55 for boars and 0.63 to 0.81 for gilts for LMA. In generation 5, LRFI pigs had lower average genetic curves than CTRL pigs for DFI and BW, especially toward the end of the test period; estimated line differences (CTRL-LRFI) for DFI were 0.04 kg/d for boars and 0.12 kg/d for gilts at 105 d and 0.20 kg/d for boars and 0.24 kg/d for gilts at 195 d. Line differences for BW were 0.17 kg for boars and 0.69 kg for gilts at 105 d and 3.49 kg for boars and 8.96 kg for gilts at 195 d. In conclusion, selection for LRFI has resulted in a lower feed intake curve and a lower BW curve toward maturity.     

Genetic correlations between test station and on-farm performance for growth rate and backfat in pigs

Record of performance data taken on Yorkshire pigs on-farm in 123 breeder herds and at a central test station were used to estimate genetic correlations between measures of backfat depth and days to 90 kg on boars at the test station and boars and gilts on-farm. The data involved records on 3,513 station-tested boars, 13,760 farm-tested boars and 28,203 farm-tested gilts from 838, 2,098 and 2,339 sires, respectively. For backfat depth, estimates of genetic correlations were .85 for test station and on-farm boars and 1.04 for test station boars and on-farm gilts. Estimates of genetic correlations between test station and on-farm measures of days to 90 kg were .80 for boars and .74 for boars and gilts. Based on these results, selection of boars on the basis of test station performance for backfat and growth rate would be expected to result in genetic improvement on-farm in both sexes under North American testing and management conditions.     

Efficiency of selection strategies for halothane-negative gene

Use of a method to estimate the frequency of the halothane-negative allele in boars is illustrated for different sampling schemes for boar testing programs and for testing within closed breeding populations. This method uses information not only on the individual, but also on all mates and relatives including parents, siblings and offspring. Accuracy of the estimates of the allelic frequency in boars was measured through use of Monte Carlo simulation. The selection differential in real frequency of the halothane-negative allele when boars were selected on estimated allelic frequency was used as the criterion for accuracy. In the progeny testing situation, phenotypes of base boars and one generation of offspring were available. The average selection differentials with 90% selection (i.e., culling 10% of boars on estimated allelic frequency) when 2 and 10 litters of two boars each were tested were .017 and .044 in base boars and .013 and .025 in the offspring. The value of the boar's own phenotype was small. Higher selection differentials were found in the closed herd situation, where data on two generations were available. The selection differential in base boars when 10 litters were tested increased from .046 to .066 when the proportion of boars selected decreased from 90% to 50%. No improvement in selection differential with proportion selected was found in the progeny testing situation. Intense selection is most effective when the number of litters per boar is large and data over several generations are used. The estimation procedure for allelic frequencies in boars should improve current screening and selection programs to reduce halothane sensitivity in pigs.     

An embryo transfer study of reciprocal cross differences in growth and carcass traits of Duroc and Landrace pigs.

Reciprocal cross differences have been reported for growth rate and carcass traits in F1 pigs with the Duroc (D) as a parent breed. Such differences are synonymous with maternal effects if effects of sex linkage and genomic imprinting are negligible. In the present study, transfer of embryos (ET) to paternal breed recipients partitioned effects occurring at or before fertilization from postfertilization effects for growth and carcass traits in F1 D-Landrace (L) pigs. Fifteen boars sired 115 F1 litters, 49 produced by ET. Growth rate of 349 barrows and 361 gilts and carcass measurements on 256 barrows and 159 gilts were analyzed assuming mixed linear models with animal and litter as random effects. Contrasts among genotype (D x L, L x D)- treatment (ET, non-ET) means were tested. Reciprocal cross differences were not detected for growth rate or for carcass weight, length, average backfat thickness, estimated carcass lean, or lean per day of age. Reciprocal cross differences for 10th rib backfat thickness (BF) and longissimus muscle area (LMA) were detected only in barrows. The sexual dichotomy for reciprocal cross differences followed expectations for a Y-linked gene(s), consistent with the fact that reciprocal D-L crossbred barrows exhibited a paternal effect, with responses more like the sire breed than the dam breed. Barrows that were non-ET from D sires and L dams had 3.9 cm2 larger LMA and 5.8 mm less BF than barrows from L sires and D dams (P less than .001). Barrows from ET sired by D boars had 3.8 cm2 larger LMA than did barrows from ET sired by L boars (P less than .001), although no difference was detected for BF. Barrows sired by D boars reared in a D postfertilization environment (ET) had 6.2 cm2 greater LMA and 4.1 mm less BF (P less than .05) than barrows sired by L boars gestated and reared by D dams (non-ET). Barrows sired by D boars reared by L dams (non-ET) had 1.5 cm2 greater LMA and 2.3 mm less BF (P greater than .10) than barrows sired by L boars reared by L dams (ET). In conclusion, reciprocal cross differences detected for BF and LMA in barrows were established before or at fertilization and seemed to be Y-linked.     

Interrelationships between dietary lysine, sex, and porcine somatotropin administration on growth performance and protein deposition in pigs between 80 and 120 kg live weight

Sixty male and 60 female crossbred pigs were allocated to an experiment to investigate the effects of porcine somatotropin (pST) administration (0 or 6 mg/d) and dietary lysine content on growth performance, tissue deposition, and carcass characteristics over the live weight range of 80 to 120 kg. Pigs receiving pST were given diets containing 6.9, 7.8, 8.8, 9.7, 10.6, or 11.5 g lysine/kg, whereas control pigs received diets containing 4.8, 5.8, 6.9, 7.8, 8.8 or 9.7 g lysine/kg. These dietary levels ranged from 0.40 to 0.70 g available lysine/MJ of DE for pST-treated pigs and from 0.28 to 0.58 g available lysine/MJ of DE for control pigs. Pigs were individually housed in pens, and there were five replicates of each treatment. All diets contained 14.5 MJ of DE/kg and were offered for ad libitum consumption to pigs between 80 and 120 kg live weight. Growth rate increased exponentially and food conversion ratio (FCR) decreased exponentially with increasing levels of lysine. In addition, there was a significant sex x pST interaction such that pST reduced the sex difference in FCR. Growth rate was faster in boars than in gilts and was increased by pST at the higher levels of dietary lysine. Similarly, FCR was lower for boars than for gilts and was decreased by pST at the higher dietary lysine levels. The optimum growth rate and FCR were defined as the lysine level at which growth rate and FCR were 95% and 105%, respectively, of the lysine plateau. The optimum growth rate and FCR were achieved at similar dietary lysine contents and were approximately 0.35 and 0.52 g available lysine/MJ of DE for control and pST-treated pigs, respectively. Protein deposition in the carcass increased exponentially with increasing dietary lysine level, was higher in boars than in gilts, and was increased by pST at the higher dietary lysine contents. Sex had no effect on dietary lysine required to maximize protein deposition. The dietary lysine contents required to ensure 95% of plateau protein deposition of 104 and 153 g/d were 0.39 and 0.55 g available lysine/MJ of DE for control and pST-treated pigs, respectively. The increase in lysine requirement with pST seems to be commensurate with the increase in protein deposition.     

Genetic analyses of growth, real-time ultrasound, carcass, and pork quality traits in Duroc and Landrace pigs: II. Heritabilities and correlations.

Knowledge of the genetic control of pork quality traits and relationships among pork quality, growth, and carcass characteristics is required for American swine populations. Data from a 2 x 2 diallel mating system involving Landrace and Duroc pigs were used to estimate heritabilities and genetic correlations among growth (ADG), real-time ultrasonic (US) measures of backfat thickness (BF) and longissimus muscle area (LMA), carcass characteristics, and various pork quality traits. Data were collected from 5,649 pigs, 960 carcasses, and 792 loin chops representing 65, 49, and 49 sires, respectively. Genetic parameters were estimated by REML assuming animal models. Heritability estimates were moderate to high for ADG, USBF, USLMA, carcass BF, and LMA, percentage of LM lipid (IMF), pork tenderness, and overall acceptability. Estimates were low to moderate for percentage of cooking loss, pH, shear force, percentage of LM water, water-holding capacity (WHC), pork flavor, and juiciness. Genetic correlations between US and carcass measures of BF and LMA indicate that selection based on US data will result in effective improvement in carcass characteristics. Selection for increased LMA and(or) decreased BF using US is, however, expected to result in decreased IMF and WHC, increased percentage of LM water and shear value, and in decreased juiciness, tenderness, and pork flavor. Average daily gain was favorably correlated with IMF and unfavorably correlated with shear force. Selection for increased ADG is expected to improve WHC but to decrease the percentage of LM water, with an associated decrease in juiciness. The results of this study suggest the feasibility of including meat quality in selection objectives to improve product quality. Favorable genetic correlations between IMF and eating quality traits suggest the possible merit of including IMF in the selection objective to improve, or restrict change in, pork eating quality.     

Bayesian analysis of the effect of selection for residual feed intake on growth and feed intake curves in Yorkshire swine

Gompertz growth functions were fitted to longitudinal measurements of daily feed intake (DFI) and BW of 586 boars and 495 gilts from a selection experiment in Yorkshire pigs for residual feed intake (RFI). The selection experiment consists of a line selected for low residual feed intake (LRFI) for 5 generations and a randomly selected control line (CTRL). The objectives of this study were to use Bayesian methods to estimate genetic parameters of the Gompertz curve parameters for DFI and BW, to evaluate the effect of selection for reduced RFI on the Gompertz parameters and shape of curves for DFI and BW, and to develop methodology for quantifying genetic variation at the level of the original phenotypes for DFI and BW based on the Bayesian analysis of the nonlinear model. Separate analyses were done for boars and gilts and for BW and DFI. A hierarchical model was specified in 2 levels: in the first level, the Gompertz function was modeled for each pig, and at the second level, a 3-trait linear mixed model was fitted to the 3 Gompertz parameters (asymptotic value, inflection point, and decay parameter), with fixed effects of line by generation and random effects of additive genetic and environmental effects. Bayesian methods were used to combine the 2 levels of modeling. A total of 30,000 random samples of the posterior distributions after convergence of Markov chains were used for inference. Posterior means of heritability within the first level of the model for the asymptotic value, inflection point, and decay parameter for DFI were 0.74, 0.66, and 0.82 for boars and 0.79, 0.70, and 0.57 for gilts; corresponding estimates for BW were 0.64, 0.58, and 0.60 for boars and 0.46, 0.35, and 0.33 for gilts. For DFI, LRFI boars had a reduced mature DFI (2.91 vs. 3.20 kg/d) and an earlier inflection point (85 vs. 95 d) compared with CTRL boars. For BW, LRFI boars had a lighter mature BW (279 vs. 317 kg), an earlier inflection point (184 vs. 198 d), and a decreased decay parameter (127 vs. 134 d) compared with CTRL boars. In contrast, LRFI gilts had a later inflection point (225 vs. 200 d) and a greater decay parameter (172 vs. 143 d) than CTRL gilts for BW. The other Gompertz curve parameters for DFI and BW for boars and gilts were considered not different between lines, with posterior probabilities of the line differences being greater than zero ranging from 0.1 to 0.9.