Evaluation of the influence of maternal and piglet breed differences on behaviour and production of Meishan synthetic and European White breeds during lactation

1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 423-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. Sinclair ◽  
S. A. Edwards ◽  
S. Hoste ◽  
A. McCartney

AbstractMeishan synthetic sows and gilts have been shown to produce higher litter weights at weaning than White breed type sows and gilts. To investigate the factors contributing to this, 64 multiparous sows were used in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment to assess the influence of maternal breed type (0·50 Meishan synthetic (M) or purebred European Landrace and Large White (W)), litter size (eight (L) or 12 (H) piglets) and breed of piglet (0·25 Meishan hybrid (m) or white hybrid (w)) on sow and litter production and behaviour over a 28-day lactation. All litters were formed by cross-fostering to standardized litter rearing size 24 h after farrowing. Sows were given food twice daily to appetite. When there were no treatment interactions, main effects are presented. M sows were lighter (M = 215, W = 241 (s.e. 3·61) kg, P < 0·001) and fatter (M = 31·5, W = 21·7 (s.e. 0·72) mm, P < 0·001) at farrowing than W and had higher maternal weight loss (M = 24·7, W = 5·9 (s.e. 0·85) kg, P < 0·001) and higher back fat loss (M = 5·6, W = 2·0 (s.e. 0.28) mm, P < 0·001) in lactation. High litter size resulted in higher maternal weight loss (L = 7·4, H = 13·2 (s.e. 0·85) kg, P < 0·001) and fat loss (L = 2·9, H = 4·7 (s.e. 0·28) mm, P < 0·002) than low litter size. Litter growth rate was higher for M than for W (M = 27·0, W = 14·5 (s.e. 0·42) kg/week, P < 0·002) and for high litter size than for low litter size (L = 24·3, H = 17·3 (s.e. 0·42 kg/week, P < 0·001). The m piglets had lower litter growth rates than w piglets (m = 15·1, w – 16·5 (s.e. 0·42) kg/week, P < 0·001). There were no breed differences in the length of suckling periods but M had shorter suckling intervals than W (M = 38·1, W = 48·7 (s.e. 1·08) min, P < 0·001). It is concluded that the higher litter weights produced by M sows are due solely to maternal effects and not litter size or piglet genotype.

1996 ◽  
Vol 1996 ◽  
pp. 19-19
Author(s):  
A G Sinclair ◽  
S A Edwards ◽  
S Hoste ◽  
A McCartney

Meishan synthetic sows and gilts have been shown to produce higher litter weights at weaning than White breed type sows and gilts (Sinclair et al. 1995). The explanation for increased litter weight weaned could be attributed to one of three areas: (1) The M sows are inherently better mothers than W and can support a higher level of piglet production. (2) The higher piglet production could be solely a result of hybrid vigour in the cross-bred piglets. (3) The increased litter production could be primarily attributed to a higher number of piglets born and reared by M. This experiment aimed to evaluate the maternal post-natal effects by standardising litters between breeds by cross-fostering techniques.Sixty-four 3rd parity sows were used in a 2x2x2 factorial experiment to assess the influence of maternal breed type (Meishan synthetic 50% [M] or pure-bred European Landrace and Large White [W]), litter size (8 [L] or 12 [H] piglets) and breed of piglet (25% Meishan hybrid [m] or white hybrid [w]) on sow and litter production over a 28 day lactation. All litters were formed by cross-fostering 24hrs after farrowing.


1996 ◽  
Vol 1996 ◽  
pp. 19-19
Author(s):  
A G Sinclair ◽  
S A Edwards ◽  
S Hoste ◽  
A McCartney

Meishan synthetic sows and gilts have been shown to produce higher litter weights at weaning than White breed type sows and gilts (Sinclair et al. 1995). The explanation for increased litter weight weaned could be attributed to one of three areas: (1) The M sows are inherently better mothers than W and can support a higher level of piglet production. (2) The higher piglet production could be solely a result of hybrid vigour in the cross-bred piglets. (3) The increased litter production could be primarily attributed to a higher number of piglets born and reared by M. This experiment aimed to evaluate the maternal post-natal effects by standardising litters between breeds by cross-fostering techniques.Sixty-four 3rd parity sows were used in a 2x2x2 factorial experiment to assess the influence of maternal breed type (Meishan synthetic 50% [M] or pure-bred European Landrace and Large White [W]), litter size (8 [L] or 12 [H] piglets) and breed of piglet (25% Meishan hybrid [m] or white hybrid [w]) on sow and litter production over a 28 day lactation. All litters were formed by cross-fostering 24hrs after farrowing.


1996 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 355-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. Sinclair ◽  
S. A. Edwards ◽  
S. Hoste ◽  
A. McCartney ◽  
V. R. Fowler

AbstractLitter size of commercial European sow lines can be increased by the introduction of genes from the highly prolific, but obese Meishan. The introduction of these genes into sow lines may necessitate different nutritional strategies for lactation. A 2 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment was used to investigate the influence of breed type (Meishan synthetic 50% (M) or purebred European Landrace and Large White (W)) and parity (1 or 3) on response to dietery protein level (H = 178 g crude protein (CP) per kg 8 g lysine per kg, L = 136 g CP per kg 5 g lysine per kg over a 5-week lactation. M were lighter and fatter at farrowing than W (P < 0·001), consumed more food (M = 7·33 v.W = 6·98 (s.e.d. 0·17) kg/day, P < 0·05) but had higher maternal weight loss (M = 16·2 v.W = 11·9 (s.e.d. 1·88) kg, P < 0·05) and higher fat loss (M = 6·5 v. W = 26 (s.e.d. 077) mm P2, P < 0·001) during lactation. Litter growth rate was higher for M than for W (P < 0·005) and for H than for L (P < 0·005). Differences were found between breeds in the partitioning of food protein. Overall, higher correlations between lysine intake and litter growth rates were found in M (r = 0·55, P < 0·001) than in W (r = 0·13, P > 0·05). Lysine intake and sow weight loss were more correlated in W(r = 0·66, P < 0·001) than in M (r = 0·15), P > 0·05). Fat loss was correlated with initial fat depth in M (r = 0·61, P < 0·001) but not in W. Weaning to conception intervals showed a breed × diet interaction (loge days: ML = 1·38, MH = 1·55, WL = 1·73, WH = 1·43, s.e.d. 0·14, P < 0·05). It is concluded that M, with greater initial fat reserves, catabolize more body fat to support greater milk output. This is facilitated by provision of a high protein diet. The W sows do not utilize the extra protein for milk production but instead use it to minimize weight loss (maintain protein status of their own body) which may help prevent an extended weaning to conception interval.


1995 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. Lee ◽  
C. S. Haley

AbstractGrowth and survival from birth to weaning were monitored during three generations of crossbreeding between British Large White (LW) and Chinese Meishan (MS) pigs. The design allowed comparisons between sow genotypes ranging from zero to all MS genes, which were mated toLWor MS boars, to produce progeny with proportions of 0·0 to 0·5 or 0·5 to 1·0 MS genes, respectively. Crossbreeding parameters of both maternal and direct piglet performance were estimated for the first two parities using restricted maximum likelihood (REML) methods for litter traits (litter weight at birth, litter mean and within litter standard deviation of piglet weight at birth, proportion surviving to weaning, litter size and weight at weaning and litter mean piglet weight at weaning) and for traits of the piglet (birth weight, probability of survival and weaning weight). For litter traits, the estimated contribution of the additive maternal effect to the breed differences (MS-LW) was significant for litter mean piglet birth weight (–0·46 (s.e. 0·04) kg), survival to weaning (0·15 (s.e. 0·02)), litter size at weaning (1·6 (s.e. 0·16) piglets), litter weaning weight (–11·2 (s.e. 3·8) kg) and litter mean piglet weaning weight (2·54 (s.e. 0·24) kg). Adding litter size and litter mean piglet birth weight to the model removed the additive maternal contribution to the breed differences in survival, and litter size and reduced that for litter mean piglet weaning weight. The contribution of the direct additive effect to the breed difference (MS-LW) was significant for the within litter standard deviation in birth weight (0·018 (s.e. 0·006)), survival to weaning (0·12 (s.e. 0·02)) and litter size (1·12 (s.e. 0·64)) and weight (11·6 (s.e. 4·0) kg) at weaning, but not for piglet weight at birth or weaning. Fitting litter size and litter mean birth weight had comparatively little impact on the direct additive effects. There were significant maternal heterosis effects for litter weight at birth and litter size and weight at weaning, the estimated deviation of the F1 from the midpoint of the two purebreds 3·22 (s.e. 0·55) kg, 2·20 (s.e. 0·47) piglets, and 20·1 (s.e. 3·3) kg respectively, but none for survival or piglet weights. There were direct heterosis effects for litter weight and litter mean piglet weights, the estimated deviation of the Fjfrom the mid point of the two purebreds being 1·16 (s.e. 0·41) kg and 0·14 (s.e. 0·02) kg, for survival to weaning (0·04 (s.e. 0·02)) and for litter weight (11·2 (s.e. 2·5) kg) and litter mean piglet weight (0·96 (s.e. 0·17) kg) at weaning. Fitting litter size and litter mean piglet birth weight removed or reduced both maternal and direct heterosis effects. Individual piglet analyses gave similar results to analyses of the equivalent sow trait. It was concluded that in litters born to MS cows, the lower piglet survival and lower weaning weights were related to the larger litter sizes and lower piglet birth weights. For their birth weight, however, MS piglets have a greater ability to survive and thrive. The large direct and maternal heterosis effects observed for litter and mean piglet weight at weaning werepartly associated with the heavier birth weight of the crossbred piglet.


Author(s):  
O. Khmeliova ◽  
R. Stavetska

The article highlights the problem of finding optimal variants of breeding process in a herd of pigs at purebred and crossbred selection. For this purpose, the control and two experimental groups were formed: ♀ Pietrain × ♂ Pietrain (control), ♀ (Pietrain × Large White) × ♂ Large White (first experimental group), ♀ (Pietrain × Durok) × ♂ Pitren (second experimental group). The analysis of the animals performance in these groups was carried out in 40, 30 and 35 parities, respectively. The research was conducted on the basis of PE «Maglevovany M.I.» in the Donetsk region. It has been established that the higher level of reproductive characteristics have sows of first experimental group, which have heredity of Large White breed, this breed is traditionally considered as a maternal form in cross-breeding schemes. For instance, their litter size at birth is higher than the same indicator in the control and second experimental group (plus 0,5, P<0,05, and 0,3 piglets, respectively); by the litter size at weaning at 28 days (plus 1,6, P<0,001, and 0,6 piglets); by the litter size at 2 months (plus 1,6, P<0,001, and 0,4 piglets). The highest piglet survival at the age of 2 months was in the litters, whose ancestor were boars of Pietrain breed (second experimental group) − plus 3,6 and 2,3 %, respectively, compered to purebred piglets of Pietrain breed and the first experimental group. For such complex indexes as the litter weight at weaning and litter weight at 2 months the first experimental group had an advantage of 18,1 kg (P<0,001) and 31,1 kg (P<0,001) over the control group (purebred Pietrain) and 5,4 kg and 7,6 kg − over the second experimental group. However, the average piglet weight of sows of second experimental group both at 28 days and at 2 months are equal to the average piglet weight of the same age of the first experimental group. The piglets, which are descendants of boars of meat breeds Duroc and Pietrain show a tendency to the faster growth even in an early age. The avarage live weight of pigs of the second experimental group at the age of 100 days and 7 months is higher compared to avarage live weight of pigs of the same age of the control and the first experimental groups – plus 8,5–21,7 kg (P<0,01 for the second experimental group) and 4,4–13,5 kg (P<0,001 for the second experimental group), respectively. At the age of 100 days, the maximum average daily gain was obtained in the second experimental group with an advantage of 190 g (P<0,001) compared to control group and 115 g (P<0,001) compared to the first experimental group. It is obvious that hybrids with the faster growth, which were obtained through crossbreeding ♀ (Pietrain × Duroc) × ♂ Pietrain reach a live weight of 100 kg in a shorter period: they need less time needed to reach 100 kg of live weight – 32 days less (P<0,001 ) compared to purebred animals of Pietrain breed (control group) and 18 days less (P<0,001) compared to hybrids ♀ (Pietrain × Large White) × ♂ Large White (the first control group). By such an indicator as the fat thickness the hybrids of the second experimental group dominate by purebred pigs of the same age of the control group (minus 0,2 mm), that characterize the low ability of meat breed for getting fat. The fat thickness of hybrids of the second experimental group was less by 0,9 mm (P<0,001) compared to the pigs of the first experimental group. Thus, in this herd in order to improve the reproductive qualities of sows, it is suggested to use the crossbreeding scheme ♀ (Pietrain × Large White) × ♂ Large White and to improve the fattening qualities of young animals the optimal is scheme of crossbreeding ♀ (Pietrain × Duroc) × ♂ Pietrain. Key words: pigs, Pietrain, Large White, Duroc, purebred and crossbred selection, reproductive and fattening qualities.


1977 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. O. Leigh

SUMMARYData for 432 litters of pigs were collected from 1965 to 1975 inclusive, at the Fasola Stock Farm, near Oyo in the Western State of Nigeria. The breeds represented were Large White, Duroc and Hampshire, and their crosses. The main objective was to investigate the effects of certain identifiable environmental sources of variation on litter performance characteristics such as litter size, mortality and weight at birth, 3 weeks and 8 weeks of age. Breed and year effects were significant for the litter size traits, but parity of dam, season and breed × season effects were significant only for litter size at birth which increased up to the fifth parity and then declined steadily in subsequent parities. Postnatal pig mortality was affected significantly by breed, litter size at birth and breed × season interaction. It was found that the larger the size of litter at birth the higher the postnatal mortality. Average pig weight at birth was reduced by approximately 0·01 kg for each additional pig in the litter.


2011 ◽  
Vol 49 (No. 9) ◽  
pp. 373-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Goliášová ◽  
J. Wolf

The effect of PvuII polymorphism of the oestrogen receptor gene on litter size and production traits in a Czech Large White population (882 sows, 2 455 litters) was evaluated. Data were analysed by four four-trait animal models. The traits analysed were lifetime average daily gain in the field test, lean meat percentage, number of piglets born alive in parity 1 and number of piglets born alive in parity 2 and subsequent parities. The animal models differed in considering the herd-year-season effect as random or fixed and in including or not including the dominance effect. For each model two variants were calculated: the ESR effects were calculated either across herds or within herds. On the genetic level, no significant overall effects of the ESR gene were detected. The effects of the ESR gene within herds were mostly insignificant as well. There was a certain tendency for allele A to increase litter size in parity 1. Nevertheless, on the basis of the present knowledge, the use of the ESR gene for selection for litter size in the Czech Large White breed seems to be of questionable benefit and cannot be recommended. &nbsp;


Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 591
Author(s):  
Błażej Nowak ◽  
Anna Mucha ◽  
Magdalena Moska ◽  
Magdalena Zatoń-Dobrowolska ◽  
Wojciech Kruszyński

The study aimed to analyze 12 microsatellite markers located in the areas of quantitative trait loci related to litter size in 82 sows, including 45 Polish Large White and 37 Polish Landrace sows, kept on a farm in southwest Poland. Breeding documentation provided data on the total number of piglets born per litter and the numbers of live-born, stillborn and weaned piglets; the corresponding percentage values were also calculated. DNA isolation was performed from 15–20 hairs taken from live animals, and the markers used in the research were divided into four multiplexes. The influence of genotype at a given locus on the reproductive traits was analyzed only for genotypes represented by at least five animals. The results of the analyses for all the sows (treated as the maternal component and not as distinct breeds) showed statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences between the genotypes and the values of the analyzed traits for markers S0008, SW160, SW245, SW714, SW1125 and SW2411. Among these markers, the breed-dependent analysis also showed significant differences in the Polish Large White breed for markers S0008, SW160 and SW1125, and in the Polish Landrace breed for SW245. Additionally, the breed-dependent analysis found significant differences in markers SW903 and SW1808 for the Polish Large White sows, and S0064, SW472 and SW903 in Polish Landrace sows. SW903 was the only marker for which differences in the analyzed reproductive traits differed between genotypes in both breeds (still analyzed separately), although in terms of different traits. The above results indicate the usefulness of microsatellite markers in researching the differentiation of litter size indicators. Although both breeds belong to the maternal component, they showed significant differences in terms of markers. This may suggest difficulties in finding universal (that is, working well for various breeds of the maternal component) markers, indicating the need to look for breed-specific markers, something that calls for further research into numerous animals.


2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 42-48
Author(s):  
V. Balatsky ◽  
I. Bankovska ◽  
A. Saienko

Leptin receptor is one of the components of the system of regulating energy homeostasis of the organism. Leptin receptor gene (LEPR) polymorphism is associated with pig carcass index of the content of intramus- cular fat in its valuable parts, which is particularly important when assessing the quality of their carcasses for processing. Intramuscular fat is associated with meat fl avor characteristics and partly determines its tenderness, juiciness, and other parameters. Aim. To analyze LEPR gene (SNP NM001024587.1, p. 1987 C > T) polymor- phism in populations of various pig breeds and to establish its relationship with the quality of both meat and fat of pigs of Large White breed of Ukrainian breeding. Methods. Genetic-population analysis of nine pig breeds, associative analysis on the search connection of LEPR gene polymorphism with quality of both meat and fat of pigs of Large White breed of Ukrainian breeding. LEPR locus genotyping was performed by High Resolution Melting (HRM). Results. All the studied breeds are characterized by polymorphism of the leptin receptor gene (SNP NM001024587.1, p. 1987 C > T), signifi cant breed specifi city in the distribution of frequencies of alleles was established. Statistically confi rmed effect (p < 0.05) of genotypes LEPR on the content of intramuscular fat, total dry matter and moisture in the meat, as well as the moisture content in the back fat of pigs of Ukrainian Large White breed was revealed. Higher content of intramuscular fat was found in the animals with genotype TT, while a smaller amount of intramuscular fat and more moisture in fat was revealed in heterozygotes. Conclusions. Genetic marker LEPR SNP NM001024587.1, p. 1987 C > T can be used in the marker-assisted selection to predict and improve the performance quality of the meat of pigs of Large White breed of the Ukrainian breeding. These results suggest that porcine leptin receptor gene controls the quality of fat comp- lex – inside muscles and in the dorsal part of the carcass.


Author(s):  
O. Mikheeva ◽  
V. Fedyuk ◽  
M. Slozhenkina

In world practice biologically active drugs are widely used at different technological stages of rearing pigs, poultry and cattle. Special attention should be paid to bio-grugs obtained not as a result of chemical synthesis, but isolated from organs and tissues of healthy animals. Restoration of normal intestinal microflora of the animal is the basis of the concept of probiotics. Currently, probiotics are considered as endogenous intestinal microflora most often belonging to the group of lactobacilli, streptococci or bifidobacteria or as specific growth factors for them. Probiotics are selected according to certain criteria based on scientific knowledge of the physiology of intestinal microbiology, as well as animal nutrition. The purpose of the work was to study the effect of biological products on resistance, reproductive, fattening and meat productivity of pigs, on the quality of whole-muscle and fine-structured pork products; to develop a method of application of duodenum extract in combination with probiotics to increase the productivity of pigs. Studies on the effect of extracts derived from endocrine cells of the intestine, in combination with probiotics on the productivity of pigs of Large White breed and the quality of pork, as well as studied the effect of duodenins and probiotics in different concentrations on the protective properties of animal blood have been carried out. New methods of application of extracts of endocrine cells of intestines and probiotics for increase of meat productivity of animals and quality of pork have been offered. The use of bio-drugs increased the livability of young animals in all experimental groups from 1st to 4st by 3,51; 6,05; 4,95 and 5,90 %, respectively. There was an advantage in the amount of revenue from the sale of products of all experimental groups over the control one.


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