scholarly journals Evaluation of direct and maternal responses in reproduction traits based on different selection strategies for postnatal piglet survival in a selection experiment

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuan Q. Nguyen ◽  
Pieter W. Knap ◽  
Geoff Simm ◽  
Sandra A. Edwards ◽  
Rainer Roehe
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Maternal Effects ◽  
Genetic Effects ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Selection Experiment ◽  
Genotype By Environment ◽  
Reproduction Traits ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Maternal Responses ◽  
Piglet Survival

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.

Genetic analyses of piglet survival and individual birth weight on first generation data of a selection experiment for piglet survival under outdoor conditions

2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 ◽  
pp. 65-65
Author(s):  
R. Roehe ◽  
N. P. Shrestha ◽  
W. Mekkawy ◽  
P. W. Knap ◽  
K. M. Smurthwaite ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Genetic Improvement ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Selection Experiment ◽  
Postnatal Mortality ◽  
Breeding Programmes ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Piglet Survival

Peri- and postnatal mortality of piglets is reported to be around 20% and genetic improvement in piglet survival has great potential benefits in terms of animal welfare, economics and the environment. The indication of an unfavourable genetic correlation between litter size and survival in particular points to the importance of including piglet survival in those pig breeding programmes that currently only aim to increase litter size. Phenotypically, individual birth weight is closely associated with piglet survival (Roehe and Kalm, 2000). Genetic parameters for piglet survival traits and individual birth weight therefore need to be estimated in order to genetically improve piglet survival efficiency

Relationship between litter size and perinatal and pre-weaning survival in pigs

2002 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Lund ◽  
M. Puonti ◽  
L. Rydhmer ◽  
J. Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Genetic Effects ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Heritability Estimates ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Piglet Survival

AbstractThe objective of this study was to analyse the relationship between direct and maternal genetic effects on litter size and piglet survival. The analyses were performed on records from 26 564 Landrace litters and 15 103 Yorkshire litters from first parity dams in Finnish herds. The trivariate model fitted total number of piglets born, proportion alive at birth and proportion survived from birth until 3 weeks as traits of the litter. The model included direct genetic and maternal genetic effects for all traits. In Landrace pigs, maternal heritabilities were estimated to be 0·11 for total number born, 0·06 for proportion alive at birth, and 0·08 for proportion survived from birth until 3 weeks. The corresponding estimates for the Yorkshire breed were 0·14, 0·06 and 0·01. All heritability estimates of direct effects were below 0·05. In the Landrace breed, there was a negative correlation of -0·39 between maternal genetic effects on total number born and maternal genetic effects on proportion survived from birth until 3 weeks and a negative correlation of -0·41 between direct and maternal genetic effects on proportion survived from birth until 3 weeks. These correlations were not significant in the Yorkshire breed. The results show that selection for number born in total alone will lead to a deterioration in the maternal ability of sows. Selection for pre-weaning survival could be achieved by selecting on direct and maternal components jointly.

Contributions of preweaning growth information and maternal effects for prediction of carcass trait breeding values among crossbred beef cattle

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. H. Crews Jr. ◽  
R. A. Kemp
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Maternal Effects ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Carcass Trait ◽  
Genetic Effects ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Ribeye Area ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
Daily Gain

Preweaning and carcass trait records from crossbred steers (n = 1015) and heifers (n = 957) were used to estimate genetic parameters and to investigate the efficacy of maternal effects and preweaning growth information for improving estimation of EBV for carcass traits for crossbred beef cattle. Dams (n = 775) representing three F1 and twelve back-cross combinations involving the Charolais, Hereford, Angus, Simmental and Shorthorn breeds were mated over six years to Limousin bulls (n = 36) at two locations in western Canada. Four animal models, involving from zero to three maternal (co)variances were used to analyze four carcass traits. Rank and simple correlations indicated that maternal effects were relatively unimportant for estimation of direct carcass trait breeding values. Direct heritabilities were 0.28, 0.12 and 0.16 for birth weight, preweaning daily gain and weaning weight, and were 0.20, 0.35, 0.50 and 0.38 for hot carcass weight, fat thickness, ribeye area and percent lean yield, respectively. Maternal heritabilities were 0.21, 0.22 and 0.40 for birth weight, preweaning daily gain and weaning weight, respectively. Estimated genetic correlations between percent lean yield and hot carcass weight, fat thickness and ribeye area were –0.05, –0.85 and 0.39, respectively, and 0.30 between hot carcass weight and ribeye area. Direct genetic effects for birth weight had moderate (0.51 to 0.54) correlations with direct effects for carcass weight, ribeye area and percent lean yield. Direct genetic effects for fat thickness were negatively correlated with direct effects for birth weight (−0.44), preweaning daily gain (−0.15) and weaning weight (−0.25). Maternal genetic effects for preweaning traits had near-zero correlations with direct genetic effects for fat thickness and percent lean yield. Adding preweaning growth information to genetic evaluations for carcass traits slightly decreased prediction error variances for breeding values and would be recommended when information on carcass traits is limited. Key words: Genetic evaluation, carcass traits, beef cattle

Distinguishing Fetal and Maternal Genetic Effects on Variation in Birth Weight

1984 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 481-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Magnus
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Total Variation ◽  
Analysis Of Variance ◽  
Maternal Effects ◽  
Major Part ◽  
Genetic Effects ◽  
Common Environment ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Nested Analysis ◽  
Interaction Variance

AbstractIn an attempt to uncover the causes of variation in birth weight for 13,970 offspring of MZ and DZ twins, several models were tested. Mean squares from nested analysis of variance were analysed with respect to fetal and maternal effects on variation in birth weight. The major part of the total variation in birth weight was found to be due to effects of genes. The contribution of fetal genes was larger than the contribution of maternal genes. About 11% of the variation could be attributed to effects of interactions between fetal and maternal genes. However, in this data set, the interaction variance could not be distinguished from variance due to fetal dominance or to effects of common environment of sibs.

Genetic correlations between piglet birth weight, its variation and survival in different dam and sire lines using Bayesian analysis

2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 59-59
Author(s):  
D R N G Kapell ◽  
C J Ashworth ◽  
P W Knap ◽  
R Roehe
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Bayesian Analysis ◽  
Genetic Improvement ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Stillbirth Rate ◽  
Reproduction Traits ◽  
Survival And Reproduction ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Piglet Survival ◽  
Considerable Loss

In the UK, mean stillbirth rate is reported to be 6.7% (BPEX, 2008), which indicates a considerable loss for pig producers. Lately much research has been carried out to improve piglet survival by genetic improvement, but correlations between survival and reproduction traits showed contradictory results and seldom distinguished between maternal and direct piglet genetic effects. Some studies considered birth weight as a trait that is likely to be closely related to survival, but few looked at individual piglet birth weight. The aim of this study was to estimate genetic correlations between birth weight or its variation within litter and survival to examine if selection on individual birth weight is a viable way to improve survival.

Selection in the presence of a genotype by environment interaction: response in environmental sensitivity

2003 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Kolmodin ◽  
E. Strandberg ◽  
H. Jorjani ◽  
B. Danell
Keyword(s):  
Weighted Average ◽  
Reaction Norm ◽  
Genotype By Environment Interaction ◽  
Reaction Norms ◽  
Mass Selection ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Environmental Sensitivity ◽  
Linear Quadratic ◽  
Genotype By Environment ◽  
Selection For

AbstractThe effect of selection for high phenotypic value in the presence of a genotype by environment interaction (G ✕ E, i.e. genetic variation for environmental sensitivity) and an improving environment was studied in a simulation. Environmental sensitivity was evaluated by using reaction norms, which describe the phenotype expressed by a genotype as a function of the environment. Three types of reaction norms (linear, quadratic and sigmoid), and two selection schemes (mass selection and progeny test selection) were studied. Environmental sensitivity was measured as the weighted average of the absolute value of the first derivative of the reaction norm function. Results showed that environmental sensitivity increased in response to selection for high phenotypic value in the presence of G ✕ E and an improving environment when reaction norms were linear or quadratic. For sigmoid reaction norms, approximating threshold characters, environmental sensitivity increased within the environmental range encompassing the threshold. With mass selection and/or non-linear reaction norms, environmental sensitivity increased even without environmental change.

scholarly journals Are Genes Destiny? Exploring the Role of Intrauterine Environment in Moderating Genetic Influences on Body Weight

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinho Kim
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
In Utero ◽  
Genetic Effects ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Intrauterine Environment ◽  
Fetal Origins ◽  
Gene Environment Interaction ◽  
Gene Environment

By incorporating molecular genetic variants and the fetal origins of obesity hypothesis into a gene-environment interaction framework, this study investigates the potential interactive effects of variation in the obesity-associated gene (FTO) and intrauterine environment on body mass index (BMI) in adulthood. This study draws on data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, and uses sibling comparisons that allow for quasi-experimental variations in both genetic and environmental factors. Findings demonstrated that even after controlling for unobserved family background, the FTO variants and birth weight are generally associated with adult BMI. Moreover, this study found that the effects of having a risk allele of the FTO gene are largely concentrated on those who were heavier at birth, providing evidence for a gene-environment interaction on BMI and the development of obesity. Results of this study suggest that genes are not destiny and environmental factors may offset the effects of obesity-promoting genes. In particular, efforts to counteract genetic effects on obesity may begin as early as in utero. Interventions to prevent higher birth weight may help reduce the risk of obesity later in life, by directly addressing the programming effects of the in utero environment and also indirectly moderating the obesity-promoting genetic effects.

Egg weight and reproduction traits in laying hens: estimation of direct and maternal genetic effects using Bayesian approach via Gibbs sampling

2000 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Sewalem ◽  
K. Johansson
Keyword(s):  
Gibbs Sampling ◽  
Maternal Effects ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Genetic Effects ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Zygote Development ◽  
Reproduction Traits ◽  
Female Reproductive Traits ◽  
Weight Trait

AbstractFertility, generally considered as a trait of the two parents, is perhaps best defined as the interaction between the male and female gametes in the production of a viable zygote. Although zygote development and hatchability are traits of the embryo influenced by maternal effects, in most previous studies they have been considered to be female reproductive traits. The aim of this work was to study the influence of sire on fertility and hatchability traits and to estimate the (co)variance components of direct and maternal genetic effects under a Bayesian setting via Gibbs sampling. We measured the fertility of 6396 eggs and the hatchability of 5393 embryos on an individual basis. In addition, egg weight from 42 to 63 weeks of age (EW63) was recorded on an individual egg basis. The sire accounted for a significant amount of the variation infertility and hatchability. For direct heritability, the marginal posterior mean, for fertility and hatchability were almost equal (0·24). The maternal heritabilities for fertility and hatchability were 0·20 and 0·18, respectively. The direct heritability value for the egg weight trait was high. The direct-direct genetic correlation between egg weight and hatchability was negative and significant. The genetic correlations between the direct effect of the egg weight trait and maternal effects for fertility and hatchability were low, with variable signs, and were not significant. On the other hand, significant negative genetic correlations between direct and maternal effects of fertility and hatchability were obtained (the posterior means were –0·56 for FE and –0·55 for HC).

AN INVESTIGATION OF GENOTYPE × ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION IN RELATION TO A SELECTION EXPERIMENT IN TRIBOLIUM CASTANEUM

1971 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 144-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. Friars ◽  
B. N. Nayak ◽  
P. Y. Jui ◽  
B. L. Raktoe
Keyword(s):  
Tribolium Castaneum ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Selection Experiment ◽  
Response To Selection ◽  
Slight Tendency ◽  
Offspring Number ◽  
Genotype Environment Interaction ◽  
Reverse Trend ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Selection Of

An experiment involving the selection of certain lines of Tribolium castaneum for larva weight and others for offspring number in both wet and dry environments was carried out over nine generations. No apparent interactions of environment-selected-in × environment-tested-in was found. That is, the environment-selected-in did not condition response to selection for larva weight, although some slight tendency toward this type of effect was noted for offspring number. However, lines selected for high larva weight showed greater response over controls when tested in the wet as opposed to the dry environment.Crosses of the respective lines indicated that the hatchability of lines selected for larva weight was elevated when they were shifted from the dry to the wet environment. However, the reverse trend was apparent for the control lines. A cross of lines selected for offspring number in wet and dry environments respectively showed repeated superiority in hatchability over other lines and crosses to which it was compared.

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