Opportunities and possible methods to improve reproduction in the pig

1988 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 221-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodger K. Johnson ◽  
Steven M. Neal
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Reproductive Rate ◽  
Genetic Changes ◽  
Reproductive Maturity ◽  
Lean Meat ◽  
Pig Production ◽  
Selection For ◽  
The Cost

Genetic selection for litter size received little attention either by scientists or commercial pig breeders until recently. Low heritability of litter size, its sex-limited expression and the fact that it cannot be measured until reproductive maturity are often given as reasons. But the major reason may be that the reproductive rate of pigs is already quite high, and the economic value of genetic changes in litter size have been small relative to those of efficiency and composition of growth.The economics of pig production have changed and technological and biological advances have caused us to re-examine the economic value of traits. Reducing fat in the carcass and more efficient conversion of feed to lean meat have always been, and will continue to be, high priority selection objectives for pig breeders. But expensive, environmentally controlled gestation, farrowing and nursery houses are the norm of modern pig production and increasing litter size will result in a significant reduction in the cost of producing lean meat (Tess et al., 1983).

scholarly journals Effect of dietary l-carnitine supplementation to sows during gestation and/or lactation on sow productivity, muscle maturation and lifetime growth in progeny from large litters

2020 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-56
Author(s):  
Hazel B. Rooney ◽  
K. O’Driscoll ◽  
P. Silacci ◽  
G. Bee ◽  
J. V. O’Doherty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Muscle Development ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Carnitine Supplementation ◽  
Semitendinosus Muscle ◽  
Myosin Heavy Chain Genes ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Size At Birth

AbstractGenetic selection for increased sow prolificacy has resulted in decreased mean piglet birth weight. This study aimed to investigate the effect of l-carnitine (CAR) supplementation to sows during gestation and/or lactation on sow productivity, semitendinosus muscle (STM) maturity and lifetime growth in progeny. Sixty-four sows were randomly assigned to one of the four dietary treatments at breeding until weaning: CONTROL (0 mg CAR/d), GEST (125 mg CAR/d during gestation), LACT (250 mg CAR/d during lactation) and BOTH (125 mg CAR/d during gestation and 250 mg CAR/d during lactation). The total number of piglets born per litter was greater for sows supplemented with CAR during gestation (17·3 v. 15·8 (sem 0·52); P < 0·05). Piglet birth weight (total and live) was unaffected by sow treatment (P > 0·05). Total myofibre number (P = 0·08) and the expression level of selected myosin heavy chain genes in the STM (P < 0·05) were greater in piglets of sows supplemented with CAR during gestation. Pigs from sows supplemented with CAR during gestation had lighter carcasses at slaughter than pigs from non-supplemented sows during gestation (83·8 v. 86·7 (sem 0·86) kg; P < 0·05). In conclusion, CAR supplementation during gestation increased litter size at birth without compromising piglet birth weight. Results also showed that the STM of piglets born to sows supplemented with CAR during gestation was more developed at birth. However, carcass weight at slaughter was reduced in progeny of sows supplemented with CAR during gestation. The CAR supplementation strategy applied during gestation in this study could be utilised by commercial pork producers to increase sow litter size and improve offspring muscle development.

scholarly journals Sexual selection for rare beneficial mutations promotes the evolution of sexual reproduction and adaptation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilbert Roberts ◽  
Marion Petrie
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Sexual Reproduction ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Reproductive Rate ◽  
Beneficial Mutations ◽  
Selection For ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Average Fitness ◽  
Cost Of Sex

The evolution and widespread maintenance of sexual reproduction remains a conundrum in biology because asexual reproduction should allow twice the reproductive rate. One hypothesis is that sexual selection lessens the negative impact on fitness of accumulating deleterious mutations. However, for adaptation to occur, there must also be selection for beneficial mutations. Here we show that sexual selection can help explain the evolution and maintenance of sexual reproduction. In our model, females chose males with more beneficial mutations (as opposed to just fewer harmful ones) even when these occurred much more rarely. Sexual selection thereby increased fixation of beneficial mutations which increased the absolute genetic quality of sexual offspring. This increase in fitness relative to asexual offspring adds to the previously postulated effect of reduced mutation load in offsetting the cost of sex. Analysing our simulations reveals that female choice among males raised the fitness of reproducing males above that of females. We found that this effect could overcome the decline in average fitness that occurs when mutation rate increases, allowing an increase in the fixation of beneficial mutations. Sexual selection thereby not only facilitates the evolution of sexual reproduction but maintains sex by leveraging its benefits and driving adaptation.

Relationship between mitochondrial DNA haplogroup and litter size in the pig

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 267
Author(s):  
Dan Wang ◽  
Chao Ning ◽  
Jian-Feng Liu ◽  
Xingbo Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Complex Traits ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Single Nucleotide ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Mtdna Haplogroup

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been widely associated with complex traits in farm animals. The present study evaluated the effects of mtDNA on litter size in pigs. Mitogenome sequencing of 1017 sows distinguished 232 variations, including 229 single nucleotide polymorphisms and three indels, which constituted 11 haplotypes and further clustered into two haplogroups that differed significantly (P&lt;0.05) in litter size. In order to explain the associations between the effect of haplogroup on litter size and different maternal origins, extant mitogenome sequences were used for phylogenetic or principal component analyses. The results of these analyses led to the identification of two groups, representing Chinese and European origins. The haplotypes corresponding to high litter size were all in the Chinese cluster, whereas haplotypes corresponding to low litter size were all in the European cluster. The results of this study suggest that the effect of haplogroup on litter size in the pig could be caused by diverse maternal origins, and that mtDNA haplogroup may be a marker for genetic selection for pig litter size.

LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION FOR SCHOOL DROP OUTS IN TAMAN SARI, DISTRICT BOGOR REGENCY

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Stefani Nawati EKORESTI
Keyword(s):  
Life Skills ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Poor People ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Skills Education ◽  
Work Done ◽  
Drop Outs ◽  
Life Skills Education

Taman Sari Sub-District, Bogor Regency has the potential for fertile soil. But these lands have not been tilled properly. Narrow housing conditions, especially for poor people, do not allow residents to plant crops. Causing the lack of consumption of vegetables; which causes residents become easily sick. In addition, there is also a lot of plastic waste, especially bottled drinking water and other things that come from tourists and fishermen who have not been processed. This condition gave rise to the idea to provide life skills training in making vertical gardens, hydroponic plants and waste management. Besides the need for makeup and haircutting skills also needed especially for orphans fostered by Yasayan Usawatun Hasanah. Community Service Activities (PkM) aims to foster community awareness of the cleanliness of the environment and empower citizens to be more creative and entrepreneurial. Therefore, in addition to the types of activities requested by the residents, UPBJJ-UT Bogor will also teach about identifying the economic value of the work done in the form of determining the cost of goods sold / production. This activity was attended by 50 orphans and it ran smoothly and successfully. Now orphans already have life skills that hope can lift their economy.

Correlated response to selection for litter size in pigs: II. Carcass, meat, and fat quality traits

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (10) ◽  
pp. 2566 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Estany ◽  
D. Villalba ◽  
M. Tor ◽  
D. Cubiló ◽  
J. L. Noguera
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Correlated Response ◽  
Quality Traits ◽  
Response To Selection ◽  
Fat Quality ◽  
Selection For
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