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Zaalberg RM, Chu TT, Bovbjerg H, Jensen J, Villumsen TM. Genetic parameters for early piglet weight, litter traits and number of functional teats in organic pigs. Animal 2023; 17:100717. [PMID: 36791491 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Knowledge remains limited on genetic variation and genetic correlations for traits in sows and piglets that are reared in an organic or outdoor setting. Here, we estimated genetic variance components for individual piglet weight, litter weight, litter size traits, and number of functional teats in a pig population raised under outdoor organic conditions. Data were collected from the largest organic multiplier farm in Denmark. Individual piglet weight was recorded at birth and on day 10. Number of live and dead piglets were recorded at birth, day 4, and day 11. Mean and total litter weight were calculated based on the individual weight of living piglets at birth and on day 10. The estimated heritability was highest for the number of functional teats (0.49), mean weight of a litter at birth (0.33) and on day 10 (0.25). In contrast, heritability was lowest for litter size traits (0.04-0.08) and piglet weight (0.06-0.07). Maternal heritability was much higher for individual piglet weight than direct heritability. The results showed that selection for higher mean weight results in smaller litters. Also, selection for individual birth weight of piglets results in heavier piglets at 10 days. In conclusion, this study confirmed that there is genetic variation in individual piglet weight, litter traits, and number of functional teats in organically and outdoor-reared pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Zaalberg
- Aarhus University, Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, 8830 Tjele, Denmark.
| | - T T Chu
- Aarhus University, Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, 8830 Tjele, Denmark; Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Faculty of Animal Science, Viet Nam
| | | | - J Jensen
- Aarhus University, Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, 8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - T M Villumsen
- Aarhus University, Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, 8830 Tjele, Denmark
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Direct-Maternal Genetic Parameters for Litter Size and Body Weight of Piglets of a New Black Breed for the Taiwan Black Hog Market. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12233295. [PMID: 36496816 PMCID: PMC9741346 DOI: 10.3390/ani12233295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters of litter size and piglet weight from farrowing to weaning in KHAPS Black sows. The genetic parameters investigated were the direct (h2d), maternal (h2m), realized (h2r), and total (h2T) heritability, as well as correlations (rd, rm, and rdm) within and between traits. The analyses were performed using single- and three-trait animal models with and without maternal genetic effects. In the three-trait model with maternal genetic effect, all estimates of h2d and h2m were significantly different from zero except the h2d of mean birth weight. Positive values of rd and rm between traits were observed as expected in the range of 0.322-1.000. Negative values of rdm were found within and between traits and were less associated with mean piglet weight traits than litter size traits. Estimates of h2T were consistently larger than those of h2r in both the single- and three-trait model analyses. In addition, the three-trait model can take into account the association between the traits, so the estimates are more accurate with smaller SEs. In conclusion, maternal genetic effects were not negligible in this study, and thus, a multiple-trait animal model with maternal genetic effects and full pedigree is recommended to assist future pig breeding decisions in this new breed.
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Chu TT, Zaalberg RM, Bovbjerg H, Jensen J, Villumsen TM. Genetic variation in piglet mortality in outdoor organic production systems. Animal 2022; 16:100529. [PMID: 35483172 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Piglet mortality from farrowing to weaning is a major concern, especially in outdoor organic production systems. This issue might impair animal welfare and generate economic losses for the farmer. In particular, it is difficult to apply management tools that are commonly used for indoor pig production systems to organic or outdoor production systems. Genetics and breeding approaches might be used to improve piglet survival. However, knowledge remains limited on the genetic background underlying survival traits in organic pigs that are born and reared outdoors. Here, we investigated the mortality of piglets from farrowing to weaning in an outdoor organic pig population and suggested genetic strategies to reduce piglet mortality in this production system. The experiment included mortality records of piglets from farrowing to weaning (around 69 days of age). Pedigree-based threshold models were used to analyse the mortality traits of piglets at 0-3 days of age, 4-11 days, and 12 days to weaning. Stillborn piglets were included in the group of piglets that died at 0-3 days of age. We found that the mortality rate from farrowing to weaning was, on average, 19.2%. However, most piglet deaths (79.1%) occurred at 0-11 days of age. As the age of piglets increased, the direct heritability of piglet mortality rose from 0 to 0.04, whereas maternal heritability decreased from 0.03 to a non-significant value. Piglets with higher BW had a lower mortality rate. However, the genetic correlations between maternal effects on piglet mortality and piglet BW were not significant; thus, selection for piglets with higher BW at around 10 days of age, through improving maternal genetics, would not reduce piglet mortality. Piglet mortality increased from sows with increasing number of parities. Crossbreeding also reduced piglet mortality. In conclusion, selection focusing on sow genotype, the use of younger sows, and crossbreeding could contribute to maintain piglet mortality at lower levels in outdoor organic pig production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thinh T Chu
- Aarhus University, Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, 8830 Tjele, Denmark; Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Faculty of Animal Science, Viet Nam.
| | - Roos M Zaalberg
- Aarhus University, Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, 8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | | | - Just Jensen
- Aarhus University, Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, 8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - Trine M Villumsen
- Aarhus University, Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, 8830 Tjele, Denmark
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Nguyen TQ, Knap PW, Simm G, Edwards SA, Roehe R. Evaluation of direct and maternal responses in reproduction traits based on different selection strategies for postnatal piglet survival in a selection experiment. Genet Sel Evol 2021; 53:28. [PMID: 33722208 PMCID: PMC7958901 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-021-00612-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Postnatal piglet survival is important both in economic and animal welfare terms. It is influenced by the piglet's own direct genetic effects and by maternal genetic effects of the dam, associated with milk production and mothering abilities. These genetic effects might be correlated, affected by other non-genetic factors and unfavourably associated with other reproduction traits such as litter size, which makes the development of optimal breeding strategies a challenge. To identify the optimum selection strategy for piglet survival, a selection experiment was carried out to compare responses in survival and reproduction traits to selection on only direct, only maternal, or both genetic effects of postnatal survival. The data of the experiment were recorded from outdoor reared pigs, with first- and second-generation sires selected based on their estimated breeding values for maternal and direct effects of postnatal survival of indoor reared offspring, respectively, with the opportunity to identify potential genotype-by-environment interaction. RESULTS A Bayesian multivariate threshold-linear model that was fitted to data on 22,483 piglets resulted in significant (Pr(h2 > 0) = 1.00) estimates of maternal and direct heritabilities between 0.12 and 0.18 for survival traits and between 0.29 and 0.36 for birth weight, respectively. Selection for direct genetic effects resulted in direct and maternal responses in postnatal survival of 1.11% ± 0.17 and - 0.49% ± 0.10, respectively, while selection for maternal genetic effects led to greater direct and maternal responses, of 5.20% ± 0.34 and 1.29% ± 0.20, respectively, in part due to unintentional within-litter selection. Selection for both direct and maternal effects revealed a significant lower direct response (- 1.04% ± 0.12) in comparison to its expected response from single-effect selection, caused by interactions between direct and maternal effects. CONCLUSIONS Selection successfully improved post- and perinatal survival and birth weight, which indicates that they are genetically determined and that genotype-by-environment interactions between outdoor (experimental data) and indoor (selection data) housed pigs were not important for these traits. A substantially increased overall (direct plus maternal) response was obtained using selection for maternal versus direct or both direct and maternal effects, suggesting that the maternal genetic effects are the main limiting factor for improving piglet survival on which selection pressure should be emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuan Q. Nguyen
- Department of Agriculture, Horticulture and Engineering Sciences, SRUC (Scotland’s Rural College), Roslin Institute Building, Easter Bush Campus, Edinburgh, EH25 9RG Scotland, UK
- Department of Animal Breeding, Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Nong Lam University – Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City, 71308 Vietnam
| | | | - Geoff Simm
- Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Edinburgh, EH25 9RG Scotland, UK
| | - Sandra A. Edwards
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Agriculture Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU UK
| | - Rainer Roehe
- Department of Agriculture, Horticulture and Engineering Sciences, SRUC (Scotland’s Rural College), Roslin Institute Building, Easter Bush Campus, Edinburgh, EH25 9RG Scotland, UK
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Li Y, Li B, Yang M, Han H, Chen T, Wei Q, Miao Z, Yin L, Wang R, Shen J, Li X, Xu X, Fang M, Zhao S. Genome-Wide Association Study and Fine Mapping Reveals Candidate Genes for Birth Weight of Yorkshire and Landrace Pigs. Front Genet 2020; 11:183. [PMID: 32292414 PMCID: PMC7118202 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Birth weight of pigs is an important economic factor in the livestock industry. The identification of the genes and variants that underlie birth weight is of great importance. In this study, we integrated two genotyping methods, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip analysis and restriction site associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) to genotype genome-wide SNPs. In total, 45,175 and 139,634 SNPs were detected with the SNP chip and RAD-seq, respectively. The genome-wide association study (GWAS) of the combined SNP panels identified two significant loci located at chr1: 97,745,041 and chr4: 112,031,589, that explained 6.36% and 4.25% of the phenotypic variance respectively. To reduce interval containing causal variants, we imputed sequence-level SNPs in the GWAS identified regions and fine-mapped the causative variants into two narrower genomic intervals: a ∼100 kb interval containing 71 SNPs and a broader ∼870 kb interval with 432 SNPs. This fine-mapping highlighted four promising candidate genes, SKOR2, SMAD2, VAV3, and NTNG1. Additionally, the functional genes, SLC25A24, PRMT6 and STXBP3, are also located near the fine-mapping region. These results suggest that these candidate genes may have contribute substantially to the birth weight of pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Li
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Genomics - Assisted Animal Breeding, BGI Institute of Applied Agriculture, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bin Li
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Genomics - Assisted Animal Breeding, BGI Institute of Applied Agriculture, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Manman Yang
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Genomics - Assisted Animal Breeding, BGI Institute of Applied Agriculture, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hu Han
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Genomics - Assisted Animal Breeding, BGI Institute of Applied Agriculture, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Genomics - Assisted Animal Breeding, BGI Institute of Applied Agriculture, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qiang Wei
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Genomics - Assisted Animal Breeding, BGI Institute of Applied Agriculture, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zepu Miao
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Genomics - Assisted Animal Breeding, BGI Institute of Applied Agriculture, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lilin Yin
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ran Wang
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Genomics - Assisted Animal Breeding, BGI Institute of Applied Agriculture, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Junran Shen
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Genomics - Assisted Animal Breeding, BGI Institute of Applied Agriculture, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xinyun Li
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuewen Xu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ming Fang
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Shuhong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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Abstract
Piglet mortality has a negative impact on animal welfare and public acceptance. Moreover, the number of weaned piglets per sow mainly determines the profitability of piglet production. Increased litter sizes are associated with lower birth weights and piglet survival. Decreased survival rates and performance of piglets make the control of diseases and infections within pig production even more crucial. Consequently, selection for immunocompetence becomes an important key aspect within modern breeding programmes. However, the phenotypic recording of immune traits is difficult and expensive to realize within farm routines. Even though immune traits show genetic variability, only few examples exist on their respective suitability within a breeding programme and their relationships to economically important production traits. The analysis of immune traits for an evaluation of immunocompetence to gain a generally improved immune response is promising. Generally, in-depth knowledge of the genetic background of the immune system is needed to gain helpful insights about its possible incorporation into breeding programmes. Possible physiological drawbacks for enhanced immunocompetence must be considered with regards to the allocation theory and possible trade-offs between the immune system and performance. This review aims to discuss the relationships between the immunocompetence of the pig, piglet survival as well as the potential of these traits to be included into a breeding strategy for improved robustness.
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Karimi K, Sargolzaei M, Plastow GS, Wang Z, Miar Y. Genetic and phenotypic parameters for litter size, survival rate, gestation length, and litter weight traits in American mink. J Anim Sci 2018; 96:2596-2606. [PMID: 29726960 DOI: 10.1093/jas/sky178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The economic efficiency of mink production is greatly influenced by reproductive performance. Therefore, the objective of this study was to estimate phenotypic and genetic parameters for reproduction traits including total number of kits born (TB), number of live kits at birth (LB), number of live kits at weaning (LW), survival rate at birth (SB), survival rate at weaning (SW), gestation length (GL), average kit weight per litter at birth (AWB), average kit weight per litter at week 3 (AW3), and average kit weight per litter at weaning (AWW) in American mink. Data included records of 3,046 litters collected by the Canadian Centre for Fur Animal Research at Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture between 2002 and 2016. Significance (P < 0.05) of fixed effects (year, number of matings, color type, age of dam, origin of dam, sex ratio, and number of live kits) and random effects of permanent environment were determined using univariate repeatability models. A significant effect of permanent environment was only found for survival rate traits (P < 0.05). Subsequently, genetic and phenotypic parameters for all traits were estimated by fitting a set of bivariate models using ASREML 4.0. Heritabilities (± SE) were estimated to be 0.07 ± 0.03 for TB, 0.07 ± 0.02 for LB, 0.09 ± 0.04 for LW, 0.13 ± 0.03 for SB, 0.10 ± 0.02 for SW, 0.29 ± 0.03 for GL, 0.28 ± 0.05 for AWB, 0.19 ± 0.04 for AW3, and 0.10 ± 0.04 for AWW. Moderate positive genetic correlation was observed between AWB with SB (0.66 ± 0.10) and SW (0.61 ± 0.13). Furthermore, genetic correlations of LB with SW and AWB were 0.55 ± 0.16 and 0.53 ± 0.18, respectively. On the other hand, negative and moderate genetic correlations were observed between GL and survival rates at birth (-0.43 ± 0.14) and at weaning (-0.37 ± 0.15). These results indicated that selection for higher litter weights at birth can effectively improve survival rate and number of live kits in mink farms. It was suggested to incorporate litter weight traits as a selection criterion to increase maternal ability in mink breeding programs. Unfavorable genetic trends were observed for the studied traits indicating that phenotypic selection with low selection intensity had not been an efficient method to improve them over the last 10 yr. It was recommended to use genetic or genomic evaluation methods for mink selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Karimi
- Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Mehdi Sargolzaei
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Semex Alliance, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Graham Stuart Plastow
- Livestock Gentec, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Zhiquan Wang
- Livestock Gentec, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Younes Miar
- Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Alves K, Schenkel FS, Brito LF, Robinson A. Estimation of direct and maternal genetic parameters for individual birth weight, weaning weight, and probe weight in Yorkshire and Landrace pigs. J Anim Sci 2018; 96:2567-2578. [PMID: 29762734 DOI: 10.1093/jas/sky172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
As a result of selecting for increased litter size, newborn piglets are being born lighter and have a lower chance of survival. Raising fewer pigs to market weight would have a negative impact on the industry and farmer profitability; thus, understanding the genetics of individual growth performance traits will determine whether these traits will play an important role in pig breeding schemes. This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters for individual birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), and probe weight (PW) in Canadian-purebred Yorkshire and Landrace pigs. PW is a live weight taken at the time of the ultrasound measurements, when pigs weigh about 100 kg. Data were collected from 2 large and related breeding herds from 2003 to 2015. Four linear animal models were used, which included the following: Model 1-direct additive genetic effect; Model 2-direct additive genetic and maternal genetic effect; Model 3-direct additive genetic and common litter effect; and Model 4-direct additive genetic, maternal genetic, and common litter effect. The model which included all 3 random effects (Model 4) was determined to be the best fit to the data. Low to moderate direct heritability estimates were observed as follows: 0.15 ± 0.03 for BW, 0.04 ± 0.01 for WW, and 0.33 ± 0.03 for PW for the Yorkshire breed; and 0.05 ± 0.01 for BW, 0.01 ± 0.01 for WW, and 0.27 ± 0.03 for PW in the Landrace breed. As expected, the direct heritability estimates increased with age as a result of decreased maternal influence on the trait. Bivariate animal models were also used to estimate genetic and environmental correlations between traits. Strong direct genetic correlations were observed between BW and WW in both breeds. Based on the estimates of genetic parameters, individual BW could be evaluated and considered in breeding programs aiming to increase BW and improve subsequent performance. Different selection emphasis could also be applied on direct and maternal additive genetic effects on BW to optimize the breeding programs and improve selection efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Alves
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Flavio S Schenkel
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Luiz F Brito
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andy Robinson
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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Economic weights of maternal and direct traits of pigs calculated by applying gene flow methods. Animal 2018; 13:1127-1136. [PMID: 30348237 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731118002513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple trait selection indexes in pig breeding programmes should take into account the population structure and time delay between parent selection and expressions of traits in all production levels next to the trait impacts on economic efficiency of production systems. Gene flow procedures could be used for the correct evaluation of maternal and direct traits of pig breeds involved in breeding or crossbreeding systems. Therefore, the aim of this study was to expand a previously developed bioeconomic model and computer program to calculate the marginal economic values by including a gene flow procedure to calculate the economic weights for maternal and direct traits in pig breeds. The new program was then applied to the three-way crossbreeding system of the Czech National Programme for Pig Breeding. Using this program, the marginal economic values of traits for dam breeds Czech Large White in the dam position and Czech Landrace in the sire position, and for the sire breed Pietrain were weighted by the number of discounted gene expressions of selected parents of each breed summarised within all links of the crossbreeding system during the 8-year investment period. Economic weights calculated in this way were compared with the approximate economic weights calculated previously without a gene flow procedure. Taking into account the time delay between parent selection and trait expression (using discounting with half-year discount rates of 2% or 5%) and including more than one generation of parent progeny had little impact on the relative economic importance of maternal and direct traits of breeds involved in the evaluated three-way crossbreeding system. These results indicated that this gene-flow method could be foregone when estimating the relative economic weights of traits in pig crossbreeding systems applying artificial insemination at all production levels.
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Alves K, Schenkel F, Brito L, Robinson J. Estimation of direct and maternal genetic parameters for individual birth weight and probe weight using cross-fostering information. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.1139/cjas-2017-0137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A total of 246 357 measurements of birth (BW) and probe (PW) weights of purebred Yorkshire and Landrace pigs were used to compare the fitting of two alternate models including either common-litter effect or cross-fostering group effect to account for common environmental variation. PW, is a live ultrasonic weight measurement taken when the pigs are 100 ± 30 kg, following national standards. The common-litter effect was defined as piglets born into the same litter, and the group effect was used to account for cross-fostering, and defined as the effect common to piglets raised by the same nurse-sow, regardless of whether that piglet was born into that litter or not. It was found that the cross-fostering group explained 5% more environmental variation in BW when compared with the common-litter effect, indication that BW is a criterion in cross-fostering. Cross-fostering also explained 1% more environmental variation in PW in both the Yorkshire and Landrace. When the cross-fostering group effect was included in place of the common-litter effect, the direct and maternal genetic heritability estimates were similar, but residual variances were reduced. This study advanced the understanding of the effects of cross-fostering on PW, its association with BW and its implications in modern pig breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Alves
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - F.S. Schenkel
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - L.F. Brito
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - J.A.B. Robinson
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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11
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Coefficients of repeatability for colostrum and milk composition of PLW and PL sows over three consecutive lactations. Livest Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2016.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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13
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Miar Y, Plastow G, Bruce H, Moore S, Manafiazar G, Kemp R, Charagu P, Huisman A, van Haandel B, Zhang C, McKay R, Wang Z. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between performance traits with meat quality and carcass characteristics in commercial crossbred pigs. PLoS One 2014; 9:e110105. [PMID: 25350845 PMCID: PMC4211683 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic correlations between performance traits with meat quality and carcass traits were estimated on 6,408 commercial crossbred pigs with performance traits recorded in production systems with 2,100 of them having meat quality and carcass measurements. Significant fixed effects (company, sex and batch), covariates (birth weight, cold carcass weight, and age), random effects (additive, litter and maternal) were fitted in the statistical models. A series of pairwise bivariate analyses were implemented in ASREML to estimate heritability, phenotypic, and genetic correlations between performance traits (n = 9) with meat quality (n = 25) and carcass (n = 19) traits. The animals had a pedigree compromised of 9,439 animals over 15 generations. Performance traits had low-to-moderate heritabilities (±SE), ranged from 0.07±0.13 to 0.45±0.07 for weaning weight, and ultrasound backfat depth, respectively. Genetic correlations between performance and carcass traits were moderate to high. The results indicate that: (a) selection for birth weight may increase drip loss, lightness of longissimus dorsi, and gluteus medius muscles but may reduce fat depth; (b) selection for nursery weight can be valuable for increasing both quantity and quality traits; (c) selection for increased daily gain may increase the carcass weight and most of the primal cuts. These findings suggest that deterioration of pork quality may have occurred over many generations through the selection for less backfat thickness, and feed efficiency, but selection for growth had no adverse effects on pork quality. Low-to-moderate heritabilities for performance traits indicate that they could be improved using traditional selection or genomic selection. The estimated genetic parameters for performance, carcass and meat quality traits may be incorporated into the breeding programs that emphasize product quality in these Canadian swine populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Younes Miar
- Livestock Gentec Centre, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Graham Plastow
- Livestock Gentec Centre, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Heather Bruce
- Livestock Gentec Centre, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Stephen Moore
- Livestock Gentec Centre, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Centre for Animal Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Ghader Manafiazar
- Livestock Gentec Centre, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Robert Kemp
- Genesus Genetics, Oakville, Manitoba, Canada
| | | | - Abe Huisman
- Research and Technology Centre, Hendrix Genetics, Boxmeer, The Netherlands
| | | | - Chunyan Zhang
- Livestock Gentec Centre, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Robert McKay
- McKay GENSTAT Consultants Inc., Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Zhiquan Wang
- Livestock Gentec Centre, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- * E-mail:
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14
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Dufrasne M, Misztal I, Tsuruta S, Gengler N, Gray K. Genetic analysis of pig survival up to commercial weight in a crossbred population. Livest Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2014.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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15
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Zhang L, Zhou X, Michal JJ, Ding B, Li R, Jiang Z. Genome wide screening of candidate genes for improving piglet birth weight using high and low estimated breeding value populations. Int J Biol Sci 2014; 10:236-44. [PMID: 24644423 PMCID: PMC3957079 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.7744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2013] [Accepted: 01/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Birth weight is an economically important trait in pig production because it directly impacts piglet growth and survival rate. In the present study, we performed a genome wide survey of candidate genes and pathways associated with individual birth weight (IBW) using the Illumina PorcineSNP60 BeadChip on 24 high (HEBV) and 24 low estimated breeding value (LEBV) animals. These animals were selected from a reference population of 522 individuals produced by three sires and six dam lines, which were crossbreds with multiple breeds. After quality-control, 43,257 SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms), including 42,243 autosomal SNPs and 1,014 SNPs on chromosome X, were used in the data analysis. A total of 27 differentially selected regions (DSRs), including 1 on Sus scrofa chromosome 1 (SSC1), 1 on SSC4, 2 on SSC5, 4 on SSC6, 2 on SSC7, 5 on SSC8, 3 on SSC9, 1 on SSC14, 3 on SSC18, and 5 on SSCX, were identified to show the genome wide separations between the HEBV and LEBV groups for IBW in piglets. A DSR with the most number of significant SNPs (including 7 top 0.1% and 31 top 5% SNPs) was located on SSC6, while another DSR with the largest genetic differences in FST was found on SSC18. These regions harbor known functionally important genes involved in growth and development, such as TNFRSF9 (tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 9), CA6 (carbonic anhydrase VI) and MDFIC (MyoD family inhibitor domain containing). A DSR rich in imprinting genes appeared on SSC9, which included PEG10 (paternally expressed 10), SGCE (sarcoglycan, epsilon), PPP1R9A (protein phosphatase 1, regulatory subunit 9A) and ASB4 (ankyrin repeat and SOCS box containing 4). More importantly, our present study provided evidence to support six quantitative trait loci (QTL) regions for pig birth weight, six QTL regions for average birth weight (ABW) and three QTL regions for litter birth weight (LBW) reported previously by other groups. Furthermore, gene ontology analysis with 183 genes harbored in these 27 DSRs suggested that protein, metal, ion and ATP binding, viral process and innate immune response present important pathways for deciphering their roles in fetal growth or development. Overall, our study provides useful information on candidate genes and pathways for regulating birth weight in piglets, thus improving our understanding of the genetic mechanisms involved in porcine embryonic or fetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifan Zhang
- 1. Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-6351, USA. ; 2. College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- 1. Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-6351, USA
| | - Jennifer J Michal
- 1. Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-6351, USA
| | - Bo Ding
- 1. Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-6351, USA
| | - Rui Li
- 1. Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-6351, USA. ; 2. College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Zhihua Jiang
- 1. Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-6351, USA
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16
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Tang G, Yang R, Xue J, Liu T, Zeng Z, Jiang A, Jiang Y, Li M, Zhu L, Bai L, Shuai S, Li X. Optimising a crossbreeding production system using three specialised imported swine breeds in south-western China. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2014. [DOI: 10.1071/an13308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Crossbreeding is an effective method for improving the efficiency and profit of production in pig commercial operations. It exploits available heterosis and combines breed differences for specific characteristics. Before application of a crossbreeding system, commercial swine producers should evaluate available crossbreeding systems using existing swine breeds, and choose one that is most beneficial for their own environment, resources, and management. In this study, the latest biological and economic data were collected from commercial producers in south-western China. Three imported swine breeds (Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire) were evaluated with three simulated crossbreeding systems. System 1 used a three-breed terminal cross with Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire). System 2 was based on a three-breed rotational cross of Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire. System 3 was a combined cross system with Duroc × (Landrace, Yorkshire) three-breed rotaterminal. System 1 was predicted to be the most beneficial system (¥3895.15/sow), followed by system 3 (¥3749.02/sow), and then system 2 (¥3317.33/sow). Results of this study suggested that three-breed terminal cross or rotaterminal cross should maximise effective use of heterosis and breed complementarity of three imported breeds in south-western China. Also, the relative economic values of objective traits for these systems were updated using the most up-to-date biological and economic parameters.
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17
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Dufrasne M, Misztal I, Tsuruta S, Holl J, Gray KA, Gengler N. Estimation of genetic parameters for birth weight, preweaning mortality, and hot carcass weight of crossbred pigs. J Anim Sci 2013; 91:5565-71. [PMID: 24146157 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2013-6684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic parameters for birth weight (BWT), preweaning mortality (PWM), and HCW were estimated for a crossbred pig population to determine if BWT could be used as an early predictor for later performances. Sire genetic effects for those traits were estimated to determine if early selection of purebred sires used in crossbreeding could be improved. Data were recorded from 1 commercial farm between 2008 and 2010. Data were from 24,376 crossbred pigs from Duroc sires and crossbred Large White × Landrace dams and included 24,376 BWT and PWM records and 13,029 HCW records. For the analysis, PWM was considered as a binary trait (0 for live or 1 for dead piglet at weaning). A multitrait threshold-linear animal model was used, with animal effect divided into sire genetic and dam effects; the dam effects included both genetic and environmental variation due to the absence of pedigree information for crossbred dams. Fixed effects were sex and parity for all traits, contemporary groups for BWT and HCW, and age at slaughter as a linear covariable for HCW. Random effects were sire additive genetic, dam, litter, and residual effects for all traits and contemporary group for PWM. Heritability estimates were 0.04 for BWT, 0.02 for PWM, and 0.12 for HCW. The ratio between sire genetic and total estimated variances was 0.01 for BWT and PWM and 0.03 for HCW. Dam and litter variances explained, respectively, 14% and 15% of total variance for BWT, 2% and 10% for PWM, and 3% and 8% for HCW. Genetic correlations were -0.52 between BWT and PWM, 0.55 between BWT and HCW, and -0.13 between PWM and HCW. Selection of purebred sires for higher BWT of crossbreds may slightly improve survival until weaning and final market weight at the commercial level.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Dufrasne
- Animal Science Unit, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, B-5030 Gembloux, Belgium
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18
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Nielsen B, Su G, Lund MS, Madsen P. Selection for increased number of piglets at d 5 after farrowing has increased litter size and reduced piglet mortality. J Anim Sci 2013; 91:2575-82. [PMID: 23508021 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2012-5990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Selection for litter size at d 5 after farrowing (LS5) was introduced in 2004 to increase the number of piglets weaned and to reduce piglet mortality in Danish Landrace and Yorkshire. The objective of this study was to investigate selection responses for LS5, total number born (TNB), and mortality [MORT, defined as (TNB - LS5)/TNB] when selection for increasing LS5 was a part of the breeding goal. Data were collected from nucleus herds recorded from 2004 to 2010, including first litters of 42,807 Landrace sows and 33,225 Yorkshire sows. The data were analyzed using a 3-trait animal model of TNB, MORT, and LS5. Significant (co) variances were estimated between the 3 traits in both populations. The heritabilities of TNB, MORT, and LS5 were 0.10, 0.09, and 0.09 in Landrace and 0.12, 0.10, and 0.10 in Yorkshire. The genetic correlations were 0.28 and 0.22 between TNB and MORT, 0.74 and 0.68 between TNB and LS5, and -0.43 and -0.57 between MORT and LS5 in Landrace and Yorkshire, respectively. The results show that the genetic improvement of LS5 was a combination of increased TNB and reduced MORT. During the observation period, the genetic improvement was 1.7 piglets per litter for LS5, 1.3 piglets per litter for TNB, and 4.7% for MORT in Landrace and 2.2 piglets per litter, 1.9 piglets per litter, and 5.9% in Yorkshire. Phenotypic improvement was 1.4 piglets per litter for LS5, 0.3 piglets per litter for TNB, and 7.9% for MORT in Landrace and 2.1 piglets per litter, 1.3 piglets per litter, and 7.6% in Yorkshire. In addition, genetic gain was evaluated in 3 phenotypic groups of TNB, representing the 25% smallest litters, the 50% medium litters, and the 25% largest litters. In all 3 groups, the genetic and phenotypic gains of TNB and LS5 increased, whereas MORT reduced in both populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Nielsen
- Pig Research Centre, Danish Agriculture and Food Council, DK-1609 Axeltorv, Denmark.
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19
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Strange T, Ask B, Nielsen B. Genetic parameters of the piglet mortality traits stillborn, weak at birth, starvation, crushing, and miscellaneous in crossbred pigs. J Anim Sci 2013; 91:1562-9. [PMID: 23408809 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2012-5584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters for the mortality causes stillborn, weak at birth, starvation, crushing, and miscellaneous in crossbred piglets produced by crossbred dams. Data were collected in a single Danish commercial herd from October 2006 to July 2008 and consisted of 34,194 piglets (2,152 litters), which originated from 195 Danish Duroc sires and 955 crossbreds between Danish Landrace and Danish Yorkshire dams. Of the 34,194 piglets born, 11.5% were stillborn, 4.2% were crushed by the sow, 2.7% died due to starvation, 2.3% were weak at birth, and 2.2% died of miscellaneous causes before weaning. The first 4 mentioned causes were analyzed multivariately using a generalized linear mixed model with a probit link function, including the genetic effect of both sire and dam. Heritabilities based on the sire component ranged between 0.08 for stillborn and 0.21 for starvation whereas heritabilities based on the dam component ranged between 0.01 for miscellaneous and 0.24 for stillborn, indicating that reducing piglet mortality through genetic selection is possible. The expected observed responses to selection would, however, be low. The genetic correlations between mortality traits based on the sire component ranged from -0.05 between stillborn and starvation to 0.35 between stillborn and weak at birth whereas genetic correlations based on the dam component ranged from -0.11 between weak at birth and starvation to 0.76 between crushing and starvation. There seemed to be a favorable relationship between the 2 traits stillborn and weak at birth and between crushing and starvation, implying that care should be taken with correct recordings of mortality causes. The genetic correlation precision was rather low, and if nonadditive effects are not accounted for, there may be unexpected correlated responses among the different mortality causes in the crossbred mortalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Strange
- Pig Research Centre, Danish Agriculture & Food Council, Axelborg, Axeltorv 3, DK-1609 Copenhagen V, Denmark.
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Vehviläinen H, Kause A, Kuukka-Anttila H, Koskinen H, Paananen T. Untangling the positive genetic correlation between rainbow trout growth and survival. Evol Appl 2012; 5:732-45. [PMID: 23144659 PMCID: PMC3492898 DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-4571.2012.00251.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2012] [Accepted: 01/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Explanations for positive and negative genetic correlations between growth and fitness traits are essential for life-history theory and selective breeding. Here, we test whether growth and survival display genetic trade-off. Furthermore, we assess the potential of third-party traits to explain observed genetic associations. First, we estimated genetic correlations of growth and survival of rainbow trout. We then explored whether these associations are explained by genetic correlations with health, body composition and maturity traits. Analysis included 14 traits across life stages and environments. Data were recorded from 249 166 individuals belonging to 10 year classes of a pedigreed population. The results revealed that rapid growth during grow-out was genetically associated with enhanced survival (mean rG = 0.17). This resulted because genotypes with less nematode caused cataract grew faster and were more likely to survive. Fingerling survival was not genetically related to weight or to grow-out survival. Instead, rapid fingerling growth made fish prone to deformations (rG = 0.18). Evolutionary genetics provides a theoretical framework to study variation in genetic correlations. This study demonstrates that genetic correlation patterns of growth and survival can be explained by a set of key explanatory traits recorded at different life stages and that these traits can be simultaneously improved by selective breeding.
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21
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Rootwelt V, Reksen O, Framstad T. Production traits of litters in 2 crossbred Duroc pig lines. J Anim Sci 2012; 90:152-8. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2011-3851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- V. Rootwelt
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, PO Box 8146 Dep., 0033 Oslo, Norway
| | - O. Reksen
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, PO Box 8146 Dep., 0033 Oslo, Norway
| | - T. Framstad
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, PO Box 8146 Dep., 0033 Oslo, Norway
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