scholarly journals Genetic determinism for within-litter birth weight variation and its relationship with litter weight and litter size in the Ripollesa ewe breed

animal ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
pp. 637-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Casellas ◽  
G. Caja ◽  
J. Piedrafita
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Genetic Determinism ◽  
Litter Weight ◽  
Weight Variation

scholarly journals Relationships between litter size, sex ratio and within-litter birth weight variation in a sow herd and consequences on weaning performance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Titus J Zindove ◽  
Tonderai Mutibvu ◽  
Andrew C Shoniwa ◽  
Erica L Takaendesa
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Research Unit ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Litter Weight ◽  
Regression Procedure ◽  
Weight Variation ◽  
Selection For

Abstract Routine selection for litter size has resulted in increase in the proportion of lightweight piglets. There is a need to balance prolificacy with litter uniformity in order to maximise profit. A total of 3 465 piglets from 310 litter records obtained from 2016 until 2019 at the Pig Industry Board research unit, Arcturus, Zimbabwe, were used to determine the relationships between litter size, sex ratio and within-litter birth weight variation in the sow herd and consequences on performance at weaning. The regression procedure of SAS was used to determine the relationships between litter size, sex ratio and within-litter birth weight variation. The regression procedure was also used to determine the relationships between number born alive, within-litter birth weight variation, and sex ratio, and litter performance traits at weaning. Parity of sow, year and month of farrowing did not affect sex ratio (P > 0.05). The number born alive and number of piglets born had no relationship with sex ratio (P > 0.05). As the sex ratio increased, percent survival of piglets at weaning also increased linearly (P < 0.05). As the proportion of males in litters increased, within-litter birth weight variation and within-litter weaning weight variation increased reaching maximum as the proportion of males in litters approached 0.5 and then decreased onwards. As the proportion of males in litters approached 1, within-litter birth weight variation and within-litter weaning weight variation reached their least values. In conclusion, within-litter sex ratio does not vary with parity, year and month of farrowing. Within-litter weight variation is highest in litters with equal number of male and female piglets and lowest in unisex litters. This implies that production of unisex litters can help to reduce the variation in the weight of pigs at birth, weaning, and marketing which is one of the biggest economic challenges faced by pork producers.

Comparative farrowing to weaning performance in Meishan and Large White pigs and their crosses

1995 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. Lee ◽  
C. S. Haley
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Large White ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Probability Of Survival ◽  
Litter Weight ◽  
Litter Traits ◽  
Breed Differences

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.

Genetic relationships between seasonal tissue levels in Scottish Blackface ewes and lamb growth traits

2005 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. R. Lambe ◽  
S. Brotherstone ◽  
M. J. Young ◽  
J. Conington ◽  
G. Simm
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Muscle Weight ◽  
Litter Weight ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
Lamb Growth

AbstractScottish Blackface ewes (no. = 308) were scanned four times per year using X-ray computed tomography (CT scanning) (pre-mating, pre-lambing, mid lactation and weaning), from 18 months to 5 years of age, giving a maximum of 16 scanning events per ewe. Total weights of carcass fat, internal fat and carcass muscle were estimated from the CT images at each scanning event. Lambs produced by these ewes were weighed at birth, mid lactation and weaning to calculate litter growth traits: litter birth weight; litter weight gain from birth until mid lactation; and litter weight gain from birth until weaning. Genetic (rg) and phenotypic (rp) correlations were estimated between ewe CT tissue traits and litter growth traits. Correlations between ewe CT tissue traits and litter size (LS) were also estimated. Ewe CT tissue traits were either unadjusted or adjusted for total soft tissue weight (sum of weights of carcass fat, internal fat and carcass muscle) to investigate relationships with either absolute tissue weights of carcass fat (CFWT), internal fat (IFWT), and carcass muscle (CMWT), or relative proportions of carcass fat (CFP), internal fat (IFP), and carcass muscle (CMP). Litter growth traits were either unadjusted or adjusted for litter size, to investigate relationships with total lamb burden (total litter birth weight (TBW), total litter weight gain from birth until mid lactation (TWGM), total litter weight gain from birth until weaning (TWGW)) or average lamb performance (average lamb birth weight (ABW), average lamb weight gain from birth until mid lactation (AWGM), average lamb weight gain from birth until weaning (AWGW)).Moderate to large positive genetic correlations were estimated between absolute weights of all three ewe tissues (CFWT, IFWT, CMWT), or muscle proportion (CMP), and litter size (LS). Significant positive genetic correlations were also estimated between weight (CMWT) or proportion (CMP) of muscle carried by the ewe pre-mating and total birth weight (TBW) and weight gains (TWGM, TWGW) of her litter, largely due to the associated increase in litter size. Muscle proportion (CMP) was not significantly correlated to average lamb weights or weight gains (ABW, AWGM, AWGW). Pre-lambing carcass fat weight (CFWT) and proportion (CFP) in the ewe showed positive genetic correlations with average lamb weights and weight gains (ABW, AWGM, AWGW), whereas, after lambing, CFP was negatively correlated with these lamb traits. Internal fat weight (IFWT) pre-mating showed positive genetic correlations with all litter growth traits (TBW, TWGM, TWGW, ABW, AWGM, AWGW). Average lamb growth traits were negatively correlated with pre-lambing internal fat proportion (IFP), but positively correlated to IFP at mid lactation and weaning.Correlations were also estimated between each pair of CT traits. Total internal fat weight and total carcass fat weight were very highly correlated (rp= 0·75,rg= 0·96). Correlations with total carcass muscle weight were smaller and positive for both carcass fat weight (rp= 0·48,rg= 0·12) and internal fat weight (rp= 0·42,rg= 0·20).The results suggest that selection for increased carcass muscle weight or proportion in a Scottish Blackface hill flock would have a positive effect on total weights of litters reared, but that selection against carcass fat weight or proportion in a breeding programme for Blackface sheep may have an impact on the maternal ability of the ewe. However, maintaining fat in internal depots may reduce the depletion of carcass fat during pregnancy, allowing this depot to provide energy for lactation, and may have a positive impact on lamb growth.

The performance of Masham ewes

1979 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Newton ◽  
J. S. Fenlon
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Perinatal Mortality ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
High Birth Weight ◽  
Litter Weight ◽  
Lamb Growth

ABSTRACTThe performance of two flocks of crossbred Masham ewes (Tees-water × Dales Bred) was measured for 6 and 4 years respectively. The ewes in Flock 1 were mated with Dorset Down rams and the ewes in Flock 2 with Suffolk rams.The overall mean mating weight of each flock was 68-0 kg with no consistent year-to-year variation. The mating weight repeatability values for ewes entering the flocks as 2-year-olds were 0·532 (±0·0681) and 0·524 (±0·1118) for Flocks 1 and 2 respectively.Mean litter size increased with age, but repeatability was low. Over- all litter weights for singles, twins and triplets were 5·89, 9·88 and 12·43 kg respectively. Two-year-old ewes had lighter litters than mature ewes. Repeatability for litter weight in Flock 1 was 0·337 (±0·0755).Lamb growth rate to 4 weeks of age was lower for 2-year-old ewes in both flocks and the repeatability was 0·322 (±0·0947) in Flock 1. For ewes having twin lambs, significant correlations (P < 0·01) were found between mating weight and birth weight and between birth weight and lamb growth rate to 4 weeks of age.Perinatal mortality was higher for lambs with a birth weight below 3·9 kg, but overall lamb mortality was only 8%: this low figure was probably due to the relatively high birth weight of the twin and triplet lambs.

An analysis of reproductive performance in pigs based on records of performance of the boar

1977 ◽  
Vol 17 (85) ◽  
pp. 256 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Baharin ◽  
RG Beilharz
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Large White ◽  
Average Birth Weight ◽  
Litter Weight ◽  
Commercial Farm ◽  
Heritability Estimates

The reproductive performance of 308 boars with total records of 9220 matings from a large commercial farm was analysed. The boars were purebred Large White, Landrace and from the newly synthesized M breed and were mated to purebred and crossbred sows of the same breeds. The M breed was derived from crossing between Large White and Landrace pigs with foundation females selected on the basis of their ability to produce large litters. Over half the total records were from matings with sows of parity 1 and parity 2. Overall production statistics were 78.8 per cent conception rate, an average total litter size of 9.3 pigs born per litter, 6.5 per cent stillbirths, an average litter weight (live piglets) at birth of 12.2 kg, average birth weight per piglet of 1.43 kg and average gestation length of 11 5 days. Most of the traits analysed showed significant effects due to parity of dams, with performance increasing from parity 1 to parity 6 to 8, after which the performance began to decline. There were significant heterosis effects (mainly maternal) on reproduction of the sows and survival performance of the litters resulting in an estimated improvement of 11 per cent in number of live pigs born, 12.4 per cent in total litter weight at birth and 35 per cent reduction in stillbirths. Heritability estimates were generally low for most traits except for boar conception rate which was moderate (0.29).

scholarly journals Sow and piglet traits associated with piglet survival at birth and to weaning

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiah M Gourley ◽  
Hilda I Calderon ◽  
Jason C Woodworth ◽  
Joel M DeRouchey ◽  
Mike D Tokach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Birth Order ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Litter Weight ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Piglet Survival

Abstract AbstractUnderstanding the relationship between sow and piglet characteristics that are associated with stillborn rate and preweaning mortality is beneficial as litter size continues to increase. Two experiments were previously conducted to evaluate prefarrowing nutrition regimens on sow and litter characteristics. These two datasets (experiments 1 and 2) were then used to identify sow and piglet characteristics associated with stillborn rate and piglet survival to weaning. A total of 1,201 sows that gave birth to 19,168 pigs comprised the dataset. The following characteristics were used in multivariate logistic regression analysis for traits associated with stillborn rate or survival to weaning: parity, litter weight, mean piglet birth weight, sow backfat, and BW at day 113 of gestation, gestation length, farrowing duration, litter size, piglet birth order, farrowing assistance, pig to teat ratio, colostrum intake, and colostrum yield. Sows within each experiment (herd) were categorized into quartiles for each of the independent variables to quantify the relationship to stillborn rate or survival to weaning. Increased stillborn rate was associated (P &lt; 0.01) with heavier litter weights, lighter piglet birth weights, and larger litters in both experiments. In experiment 1, increased stillborn rate was associated (P &lt; 0.01) with longer farrowing duration. Increased stillborn rate was associated with sows with less backfat depth at day 113, older parity, or increased farrowing assistance in experiment 2. In both experiments, pigs born later in the birth order had an increased (P &lt; 0.01) risk of being stillborn. In both experiments, heavier piglet birth weight, greater colostrum intake, and lower total born were associated (P &lt; 0.01) with increased survival to weaning. In experiment 2, pigs born in the first 75% of the litter, or in a litter with lower pig to teat ratio were associated (P &lt; 0.01) with increased survival to weaning. Although the stillborn rate was similar between experiments (6.5% vs. 6.6%), differences in the traits associated with stillborn rate between studies indicate that some associated traits may be herd dependent. However, improving piglet birth weight, placing an emphasis on assisting pigs born later in the birth order and increasing colostrum intake will increase piglet survival from birth to weaning.

Effects of genetic and environmental factors on productive performances of Hilly Brown Bengal goat at Naikhongchari

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (02) ◽  
pp. 2192-2203
Author(s):  
M. A. I. Talukder ◽  
M. M. Rahman ◽  
M. A. Alam ◽  
M. A. Hossain ◽  
M. A. Hemayet
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Summer Season ◽  
Placental Weight ◽  
Litter Weight

The present experiment was studied to investigate the effect of genetic and non-genetic factors on productive performances of Hilly Brown Bengal (HBB) goats at the research farm. For this purpose, initially, a total of 69 does of different generations and 20 bucks and finally, a total of 76 does and 09 bucks were used to study productive parameters of HBB goat. The studied Animals were reared in a semi-intensive management system with natural breeding facilities. Goats were allowed to browse for 6-8 hours and mounting in hills with two times concentrates supplementation @ 1% of their body weight. Here three seasons, three generations were considered and parity was counted up to fifth. The data were statistically analyzed by using least-squares analyses of variance of the general linear model (GLM) procedure of the SPSS, 20.00. Sex of kids was significantly (p<0.05) affect the birth weight of kids, where male kids had higher birth weight (1.24 kg) than female kids (1.15 kg). Kids born in summer season had higher birth weight, litter weight, liter size, placental weight, kidding frequency, fortnightly body weight gain up to 6 months, pre and post-weaning gain with reduced mortality rate. Statistically, in summer season, approximately 11.22% and 3.45% heavier kids born, 9-10 g higher daily gain occurs in pre and post-weaning periods and 900-1100 g higher body weight at 3 months of age were found when compared with rainy and winter season respectively, where rainy season had highest body weight at 6 and 9 months of age. Highest percentage of total kidding (41.61%) was also found in summer season with reduced mortality rate (14%), while the highest mortality (64%) occurred in rainy season. Dams parity had significant (p<0.01) impact on production performances and kids mortality rate, where kids litter weight (1.60 to 2.35 kg), litter size (1.38 to 2.08) and placental weight (246.85 to 263.77 g) were increased linearly with the increment of parity up to four, while kids mortality were reduced from 36.57 to 8.44% with the increment of parity up to 5th. Results suggested that the trends of multiple births (twin and triplet) were increased with the advancement of parity, where twin and triplet kid composition increased linearly from 21 to 68% and 0 to 18% among the total kids born, respectively, while single kid percentage reduced from 79 to 14%. Best productive performances of goats were attained in 1st generation with its highest value of kids’ birth weight, weaning weight, litter weight and litter size. There had significant effect (p<0.01) of birth type on kids birth weight, body weight changes and placental weight, where single kid had 30.85% heavier birth weight than the quadruplet with highest placental weight (219.77 to 257.45 g), while highest dams post-partum weight losses (4.8 kg) occurred in triple kidded does. Reduced kid mortality from 36.56 to 1.76% and 51 to 18% can be obtained with the increment of kids’ birth weight and age, respectively.

scholarly journals 87 Effect of calcium supplementation on gestation and farrowing characteristics of sows

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 30-30
Author(s):  
Flint W Harrelson ◽  
Audrey Emery ◽  
Courtney Moore ◽  
Dillon Siefert ◽  
Patricia L Harrelson
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Calcium Supplementation ◽  
Calcium Supplement ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Delivery Time ◽  
Litter Weight

Abstract Calcium, when supplemented prior to farrowing, has been shown to reduce stillborn deaths by shortening farrowing duration. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of calcium supplementation on birth weight, gestation length, live vs. stillborn piglets, and litter weight. Twenty crossbred sows and gilts, across two farrowing groups, were stratified by parity (range = 0 - 9) and randomly allocated to one of two treatments, no calcium supplement (CON) or a 28% calcium supplement (CAL) beginning 3 d prior to initiation of farrowing. Supplement was top-dressed at the afternoon feeding (1500 h) and was maintained through parturition, whether it preceded or succeeded the expected 3 d treatment. Sows were monitored from the initiation of farrowing until passage of the placenta was complete and delivery time, birth weight, and sex of piglets was recorded. All data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. No significant effect (P = 0.41) on birth weight was observed for CAL compared to CON sows (1.42 vs. 1.38 ± 0.03 kg). Gestation length was reduced (P < 0.01) for CAL sows compared to CON sows (115.1 vs. 116.2 ± 0.2 d, respectively), while both litter size (P = 0.32) and litter weight (P = 0.25) were unaffected by supplementation. Calcium supplementation exhibited no impact on either the percentage of piglets born alive (P = 0.51) nor percentage of stillborn piglets (P = 0.50) though numerically these were improved compared to controls (87.3 vs. 80.4 ± 8.0%, and 11.95 vs. 18.15 ± 8.0%, respectively). In summary, calcium supplemented sows farrowed sooner, though piglet birth weight along with percentage of piglets born alive or stillborn was similar to those whom were not supplemented.

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