Lifetime productivity in gilts previously selected for decreased age at puberty

AbstractA study was conducted to evaluate the effect of decreasing age of puberty on lifetime productivity in sows. Two lines of gilts from the Nebraska Gene Pool population were used in this study: a line that had been selected for decreased age at puberty (AP) and a line in which selection had been random (RS). The study was conducted in two parts. In part one, 75 gilts were mated at second oestrus and the productivity measured over five parities. A second experiment utilizing 68 gilts was conducted to provide further data for comparing litter size at parity 1, and also to compare ovulation rates in the two lines at second oestrus. Results showed that litter size was similar in both lines across parities. After five parities the percentage of sows farrowing relative to parity 1 was 58-8% for the AP line but only 39·4% for the RS line (P = 0·17). Litter birth weight, litter size and weight at 21 days, number weaned, and lactation food consumption were similar for both lines. Lactation weight loss was not significantly different between the two lines (60·9 (s.e. 5·9) v. 527 (s.e. 5·0) kg, for RS and AP gilts, respectively) but was consistent with the slightly longer weaning to remating intervals in the RS line (7·8 (s.e. 0·7) v. 6·6 (s.e. 0·7) days, P = 0·22). Ovulation rate at second oestrus did not differ between the two lines (14·1 (s.e. 0·9) v. 14·3 (s.e. 0·5), for RS and AP gilts, respectively). The regression of mean accumulative productivity on time was in favour of the AP line (P = 0·05). These results suggest that reproductive performance is not impaired in gilts which have been selected to reach puberty at earlier ages, and productivity at a specific age may be enhanced.

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Productive and reproductive performance of Saanen goat at AZZahra farm of Sandakan in Malaysia

Bangladesh Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.3329/bjas.v47i1.39395 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

MAMY Khandoker ◽

N Afini ◽

A Azwan

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Litter Size ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Dairy Goat ◽

Gestation Length ◽

Estrus Cycle ◽

Average Birth Weight ◽

Saanen Goat ◽

Age At Puberty

An experiment was conducted at AZ-Zahra Farm, Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia to investigate the productive and reproductive performance of Saanen dairy goat. Body weight at different ages were collected once while birth weight was collected when does gave birth. On the other hand, milk production of each individual per day was received continuously for three months. The data on reproductive parameters such as length of estrus cycle, duration of estrus period, age at puberty, gestation length, age at first kidding, litter size, birth weight and kid mortality were noted. Descriptive statistics such as number, percentage, mean, standard deviation were performed. T-test was also conducted to know the statistical difference between the groups. Result demonstrated that body weight increases significantly (p<0.01) with the advancement of the age. The highest daily milk yield was found in 2-3 years of age. Dam with multiple kids produced more milk than dam with single kid. Estrus cycle of Saanen goats was found 21 days, the average estrus period duration was 2.75 days, age at puberty was 8.33 months, first kidding age was 14.2 months and gestation period was 150 days on an average. With the increase of the age of dam litter size increased. Meanwhile average birth weight increased as age of dam increased from 2.85 kg in 1 year to 3.26 kg in 3 years. Male kids born heavier than females (3.23±0.62 vs. 2.75±0.58 kg) and single kids were heavier than twin kids (3.07±0.66 kgvs2.70±0.28 kg). Low mortality rate of kids was recorded in this study (6.4%). It can be concluded that the overall productive and reproductive performances of Saanen goat at AZ-Zahra farm were within the acceptable level and the variation recorded in different parameters is very much usual. Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2018. 47 (1): 1-12

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THE ACCUMULATIVE EFFECT OF FINNSHEEP BREEDING IN CROSSBREEDING SCHEMES: REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas88-007 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 68 (1) ◽

pp. 69-81 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

MOHAMED H. FAHMY ◽

JACQUES J. DUFOUR

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Mortality Rate ◽

Key Words ◽

Litter Size ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Conception Rate ◽

Ovulation Rate ◽

Genetic Groups ◽

Linear Regressions ◽

Size At Birth

Reproductive performance and body weight were studied on 361 ewes, representing Finnsheep (F), DLS (a population of 1/2 Dorset, 1/4 Leicester, 1/4 Suffolk) and seven combinations ranging from 1/8 to 7/8 Finnsheep breeding. Conception rate in yearlings was 61.5% for DLS compared to 89.0% for F with the crosses being intermediate. Conception rate in older ewes was similar in the different genetic groups (avg. 94%). Ovulation rate and litter size at birth of DLS ewes were 1.72 and 1.44 lambs, which was less than half those of F ewes (3.51 and 2.86 lambs, respectively). Both traits increased progressively with an increase in F breeding in crosses and with advances in age. DLS ewes weaned 1.22 lambs compared to 2.03 lambs for F ewes and 1.84 lambs for 4/8 F ewes. The heaviest litters at weaning (31.7 kg) were raised by 4/8 F ewes, followed by 7/8 F (30.8 kg) while those raised by DLS ewes weighed 23.0 kg and F ewes 29.1 kg. Percentage of ova lost per ewe mated averaged 24% and ranged between 18% (DLS and 1/8 F) and 29% (6/8 F). About 3.6% of lambs were born dead and a further 13.8% died before weaning. Preweaning mortality rate was highest in F (22.9%) and lowest in 3/8 F (9.4%). Average kilograms of lambs weaned per ewe exposed was highest in 4/8 F (27.6 kg) followed by F (26.0 kg), whereas that of DLS was the lowest at 18.1 kg. The 4/8 F cross showed 25% heterosis in kg of lambs weaned per ewe exposed and 52.5% increase over DLS. Significant positive linear regressions were calculated for ovulation rate, litter size and preweaning mortality rate on proportion of Finnsheep breeding in crosses. The relation was quadratic for percent ova lost and lamb mortality at weaning. Yearling DLS females weighted 36 kg compared to 44 kg for F yearlings. However, at 5 yr of age DLS ewes weighed 62 kg, 5 kg heavier than F ewes. The heaviest ewes at all ages were the 4/8 F (45 kg at 1 yr, 65 kg at 5 yr). Key words: Reproduction, DLS sheep, Finnsheep, crossbreeding, heterosis, repeatabilities

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Effects of cooling on the reproductive performance of gilts

Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management ◽

10.4314/jasem.v20i2.17 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 357-361

Author(s):

J.O. Oyedeji ◽

G.O. Imagbenikaro

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Litter Size ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Cooling System ◽

Large White ◽

Feed Cost ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Level Of Significance

The study examined the effect of cooling on the reproductive performance of gilts using 27 Large White Experimental Gilts on a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 systems of cooling, namely Wallow Cooling (WC), Sprinkler Cooling (SC) and Zero Cooling (ZC). Gilts were weighed at the commencement of the experiment and thereafter fed ad libitum from service to farrowing. Feed intake till farrow, feed cost, gilt weight at farrow, date of farrow, litter size and weight were recorded. The feed/piglet weight, feed intake/litter, feed cost/litter and birth weight/piglet were derived. The results showed that feed intake per litter and feed per piglet weight were highest for gilts placed on WC(P< 0.05), followed by SC and least for sow placed on ZC; gilt weight before farrow was highest for sow placed on SC (69.78±0.92), followed by ZC (69.33±0.94) and least for gilts placed on WC (67.33±0.87); litter sizes of gilts placed under the WC and SC systems were similar (5.6±0.41) while that under the ZC system was comparatively smaller (5.4±0.40);while the date of farrow was lowest in the ZC system (113.8±0.32) followed by SC (114.0±0.33) and highest under the WC (114.1±0.33). However, the feed intake per litter, feed per piglet weight, litter sizes of gilts, birth weight per piglet of gilts and the average date of farrow among gilts placed on WC, SC and ZC were not statistically different at 5% level of significance. Though, there is no significant difference in the performance among gilts placed on WC, SC and ZC, temperature regulation through provision of efficient cooling system in piggery would help to increase litter size, improve feed intake per litter and reduce the average cost of feeding gilt per day in maximizing reproductive performances in pigs.Keywords: Cooling, gilts, service, farrow, piggery, litter size, piglet and birth weight

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Evaluasi Produktivitas Domba Ekor Gemuk Berdasar Reproductive Rate

Caraka Tani Journal of Sustainable Agriculture ◽

10.20961/carakatani.v20i2.20496 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 64

Author(s):

Sigit Prastowo

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Litter Size ◽

Reproductive Rate ◽

Ovulation Rate ◽

Variable Component

<p>Fat Tailed Sheep represent one of Indonesian livestock that having excellence of comparability with other ruminants livestock. The excellence is quickly adult, short of pregnant age, and has the nature of bearing twin, so if evaluated from development aspect will be very beneficial. Reproductive Rate (RR) is a mount of reproduction ability from a group of ewes. Reproductive Rate defined as amount of weaned lamb by ewe every year. Variable/component related to RR are litter size, lamb mortalities before weaning and lambing interval.</p><p>Litter size is general influenced by difference of breeds, age and sufficiency of nutrition. Litter size is peculiarly influenced by ovulation rate that determined by breed, age, nutrition and parity. Lamb age, litter size, birth weight, season, nutrition and parity are influenced lamb mortalities before weaning. Lambing interval determined by nutrition factor and management, which is matting pattern and lamb weaning.</p>

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Breeding Australian crossbred ewes with Arabian fat-tailed rams for intensive lamb production

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea9960031 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 31

Author(s):

RC Malik ◽

MA Razzaque ◽

S Abbas ◽

T Al-Mutawa ◽

N Al-Khozam

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Litter Size ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Intensive Management ◽

Season Of Birth ◽

Genetic Groups ◽

Sources Of Variation ◽

Daily Gain

The reproductive performance under intensive management of Border Leicester x Merino (BLM), Dorset x Merino (DM), and Suffolk x Merino (SM) ewes imported from Australia, and local fat-tailed Naeemi (N) ewes mated to N rams was studied. Progeny performance for birth and weaning weights, average daily gain (ADG) and preweaning survival was also evaluated. BLM ewes showed the highest reproductive performance. They produced and weaned (at 8 weeks) significantly more lambs (P<0.05) than any of the other ewe genotypes. The reproductive performance of the BLM, N, DM and SM ewes, mated twice, 8 months apart, was 127, 85, 91 and 85 respectively for percentage of lambs born to ewes joined, 109, 72, 77 and 70 respectively for percentage of lambs weaned to ewes joined, and 17.8, 13.5, 12.1 and 11.6 kg respectively of lamb weaned per ewe joined over the period of 13 months from the first joining until last lambs weaned. The effect of season on ewe reproduction was significant. Birth weight was not influenced by genotype or season but did change significantly with litter size. Genetic group, litter size, season of birth and birth weight were significant sources of variation in the ADG and weaning weight of the lamb. N x BLM lambs were weaned at significantly heavier weights than lambs of the remaining 3 groups. Season of birth and birth weight also significantly affected preweaning lamb survival. About 86% of the lambs born alive were weaned with little difference between genetic groups in survival rates.

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Pre- and peri-pubertal feed intake: effects on age at puberty and potential litter size of replacement gilts

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an15871 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 57 (6) ◽

pp. 1040

Author(s):

W. H. E. J. van Wettere ◽

M. Mitchell ◽

D. K. Revell ◽

P. E. Hughes

Keyword(s):

Litter Size ◽

Dietary Restriction ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Ovulation Rate ◽

Corpora Lutea ◽

Short Term ◽

Large White ◽

Embryo Number ◽

Age At Puberty

The effect of moderate restriction of pre- and peri-pubertal liveweight gain on puberty attainment and potential litter size was investigated. At 69 days of age, 48 Large White/Landrace crossbred gilts (28.3 ± 0.3 kg), were fed to attain a liveweight of 70 kg (LIGHT) or 100 kg (HEAVY) at 161 days of age (n = 24 gilts/treatment). At 161 days of age, half the gilts in each group were fed to gain liveweight at 0.5 (LOW) or 1.0 (HIGH) kg/day until puberty (n = 12 gilts/treatment). From 175 days of age, gilts received 20 min/day of full, physical boar contact. Gilts were artificially inseminated at the pubertal oestrus, with reproductive tracts collected 22 ± 0.1 days later, and the number of corpora lutea and viable embryos recorded. LIGHT-LOW gilts were older (P < 0.05) at puberty compared with LIGHT-HIGH, HEAVY-LOW and HEAVY-HIGH gilts; 207.7 ± 3.50 versus 191.7 ± 3.65, 193.1 ± 3.50 and 192.5 ± 3.65, respectively. Treatment (HIGH vs LOW) increased (P < 0.05) pubertal ovulation rate (15.2 ± 0.43 vs 13.1 ± 0.47), oestradiol at oestrus (13.4 ± 1.87 vs 9.1 ± 1.22 pg/mL) and progesterone 72 h post-oestrus (7.1 ± 0.48 vs 4.6 ± 0.50 ng/mL). Embryo number (10.8 ± 0.46) and survival (77.0 ± 3.21) were unaffected (P > 0.05) by treatment. To conclude, puberty was delayed by chronic, but not acute, dietary restriction. Although short-term, moderate increases in feed intake increased pubertal ovulation rates, embryo numbers and survival were unaffected.

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Direct responses to selection for increased litter size, decreased age at puberty, or random selection following selection for ovulation rate in swine.

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.2527/1991.6983129x ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 69 (8) ◽

pp. 3129 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

W R Lamberson ◽

R K Johnson ◽

D R Zimmerman ◽

T E Long

Keyword(s):

Litter Size ◽

Random Selection ◽

Ovulation Rate ◽

Selection For ◽

Age At Puberty

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Compensatory feeding during early gestation for sows with a high weight loss after a summer lactation increased piglet birth weight but reduced litter size

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab228 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Fan Liu ◽

Casie J Braden ◽

Robert J Smits ◽

Jessica R Craig ◽

David J Henman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Weight Loss ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Litter Size ◽

High Weight ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Early Gestation ◽

Compensatory Feeding

Abstract Sows mated in summer produce a greater proportion of born-light piglets (<1.1 kg) which contributes to increased carcass fatness in the progeny population. The reasons for the low birth weight of these piglets remain unclear, and there have been few successful mitigation strategies identified. We hypothesized that: (1) the low birth weight of progeny born to sows mated in summer may be associated with weight loss during the previous summer lactation; and (2) increasing early gestation feed allowance for the sows with high lactational weight loss in summer can help weight recovery and improve progeny birth weight. Sows were classified as having either low (av. 1%) or high (av. 7%) lactational weight loss in their summer lactation. All the sows with low lactational weight loss (LLStd) and half of the sows with high lactational weight loss received a standard gestation feeding regime (HLStd) (2.6 kg/d; d 0-30 gestation), whereas the rest of the sows with high lactational weight loss received a compensatory feed allowance (HLComp) (3.5 kg/d; d 0-30 gestation). A comparison of LLStd (n=75) vs HLStd sows (n=78) showed that this magnitude of weight loss over summer lactation did not affect the average piglet or litter birth weight, but such results may be influenced by the higher litter size (P = 0.032) observed in LLStd sows. A comparison of HLStd vs HLComp (n=81) sows showed that the compensatory feeding increased (P = 0.021) weight gain of gestating sows by 6 kg, increased (P = 0.009) average piglet birth weight by 0.11 kg, tended to reduce (P = 0.054) the percentage of born-light piglets from 23.5% to 17.1% but reduced the litter size by 1.4 (P = 0.014). A sub-group of progeny stratified as born-light (0.8-1.1 kg) or -normal (1.3-1.7 kg) from each sow treatment were monitored for growth performance from weaning until 100 kg weight. The growth performance and carcass backfat of progeny were not affected by sow treatments. Born-light progeny had lower feed intake, lower growth rate, higher G:F, and higher carcass backfat than born-normal progeny (all P < 0.05). In summary, compensatory feeding from d 0-30 gestation in the sows with high weight loss during summer lactation reduced the percentage of born-light progeny at the cost of a lower litter size, which should improve growth rate and carcass leanness in the progeny population born to sows with high lactational weight loss.

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