Genomic background and genetic relationships between boar taint and fertility traits in German Landrace and Large White

The surgical castration of young male piglets without anesthesia is no longer allowed in Germany from 2021. One alternative is breeding against boar taint, but shared synthesis pathways of androstenone (AND) and several endocrine fertility parameters (EFP) indicate a risk of decreasing fertility. The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic background between AND, skatole (SKA), and six EFP in purebred Landrace (LR) and Large White (LW) populations. The animals were clustered according to their genetic relatedness because of their different origins. Estimated heritabilities (h2) of AND and SKA ranged between 0.52 and 0.34 in LR and LW. For EFP, h2 differed between the breeds except for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (h2: 0.28–0.37). Both of the breeds showed unfavorable relationships between AND and testosterone, 17-β estradiol, and FSH. The genetic relationships (rg) between SKA and EFP differed between the breeds. A genome-wide association analysis revealed 48 significant associations and confirmed a region for SKA on Sus Scrofa chromosome (SSC) 14. For EFP, the results differed between the clusters. In conclusion, rg partly confirmed physiologically expected antagonisms between AND and EFP. Particular attention should be spent on fertility traits that are based on EFP when breeding against boar taint to balance the genetic progress in both of the trait complexes.

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Revealing genetic relationships between compounds affecting boar taint and reproduction in pigs1

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.2527/jas.2010-3290 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 89 (3) ◽

pp. 680-692 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

E. Grindflek ◽

T. H. E. Meuwissen ◽

T. Aasmundstad ◽

H. Hamland ◽

M. H. S. Hansen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Relationships ◽

Boar Taint

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The Population Structure and Selection Signal Analysis of Shenxian Pigs Based on Genome Resequencing Technology

10.21203/rs.3.rs-244687/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Diao Liu ◽

Chunlian Lu ◽

Shang Li ◽

Mengyu Jia ◽

Yutao Miao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Candidate Genes ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Genetic Relationships ◽

Animal Husbandry ◽

Hebei Province ◽

Whole Genome ◽

Genome Resequencing ◽

Large White ◽

Bioinformatics Analyses ◽

Pig Breeds

Abstract Shenxian pigs are the only local black pig of Hebei Province, and were listed in the Genetics of Livestock and Poultry Resources of China in 2016. This breed of pig is considered to be a valuable local pig germplasm genetic resource in China. When compared with other introduced pig breeds, the Shenxian pig breed is characterized with early sexual maturity, short oestrus intervals, large litter sizes, and good meat quality, which are all of good research significance. However, the Shenxian pig variety was previously declared extinct in 2004 due to the introduction of a large number of foreign pig breeds. In order to preserve and study the Shenxian pig breed, the Hebei Zhengnong Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd. was established in Hebei Province for the purpose of preserving the purified Shenxian pig strain. In the present study, in order to understand the genetic variations of Shenxian pigs, identify selected regions related to superior traits, and accelerate the breeding processes of Shenxian pigs, the whole genome of the Shenxian pigs was resequenced and compared with that of large white pigs. The goal was to explore the germplasm characteristics of Shenxian pigs.The results obtained in this research investigation revealed that the genetic relationships of the Shenxian pig breed were complex, and that sub-populations could be identified within the general population. A total of 23M SNP sites were obtained by whole genome resequencing, and 1,509 selected sites were obtained via bioinformatics analyses. It was determined after annotation that a total of 19 genes were enriched in three items of bioengineering, molecular function, and cell composition.During this research investigation, the aforementioned 19 genes were subjected to GO and KEGG analyses. Subsequently, the candidate genes related to cell proliferation were obtained (DMTF1 and WDR5), which were considered to possibly be related to the slow growth and development of Shenxian pigs. In addition, the candidate genes related to lactation were obtained (CSN2 and CSN3). However, no genes related to meat quality traits were successfully screened.

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Changes of Androstenone Concentrations in Saliva of Boars with Age

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani12020157 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 157

Author(s):

Kamila Pokorná ◽

Jaroslav Čítek ◽

Petr Doležal ◽

Martyna Małopolska ◽

Mirosłav Tyra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Salivary Gland ◽

Total Concentration ◽

Boar Taint ◽

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽

Large White ◽

Gland Weight ◽

Submaxillary Salivary Gland ◽

Positive Correlations ◽

Effect Of Age ◽

A Current

With the increasing age of boars, the possibility of androstenone (5α-androst-16-en-3-one (AND), 5α-androst-16-en-3α-ol (α-AND), and 5α-androst-16-en-3β-ol (β-AND)) occurrence increases as well. The aim of this study was to evaluate concentrations of androstenone compounds in the saliva of boars concerning the age of animals. In total, 72 boars were evaluated (24 boars per replication). The effect of age (three different ages—152, 163, and 172 days) was observed, and (Landrace × Large White) × Pietrain genotypes were used. Chemical analysis of saliva samples was conducted by multidimensional gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (MDGC/MS). Salivary α-AND increased with age (p < 0.05), and positive correlations were found between age and submaxillary salivary gland weight (p < 0.05), age, and salivary AND concentration (p < 0.05), body weight and submaxillary salivary gland weight (p < 0.05), submaxillary salivary gland weight and salivary β-AND concentration (p < 0.05), as well as submaxillary salivary gland weight and total salivary 5α-androstenone (AND total) concentration (p < 0.001). Nowadays, animal welfare is becoming a more and more discussed topic, and pig breeding is not an exception. Specifically, the castration ban is a current issue, so it is very important to know as much as possible about compounds responsible for boar taint. Androstenone’s appearance in boars’ saliva could be one of the most important precursors for future early detection of boar taint.

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The pattern of genetic diversity of different breeds of pigs based on microsatellite analysis

Vavilov Journal of Genetics and Breeding ◽

10.18699/vj20.669 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 24 (7) ◽

pp. 747-754

Author(s):

V. R. Kharzinova ◽

N. A. Zinovieva

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Genetic Relationships ◽

Molecular Genetic ◽

Genetic Material ◽

Animal Husbandry ◽

Molecular Genetic Analysis ◽

Fixation Index ◽

Large White ◽

Black And White ◽

The Republic

One of the main tasks of genetics and animal breeding is the assessment of genetic diversity and the study of genetic relationships between different breeds and populations using molecular genetic analysis methods. We analysed the polymorphism of microsatellites and the information on the state of genetic diversity and the population structure of local breeds in Russia: the Kemerovo, the Berkshire, the Liven, the Mangalitsa, and the Civilian; in the Republic of Belarus: the Large White and the Black-and-White; and in Ukraine: the White Steppe, as well as commercial breeds of imported origin of domestic reproduction: the Large White, the Landrace, and the Duroc. The materials used for this study were the tissue and DNA samples extracted from 1,194 pigs and DNA of the UNU “Genetic material bank of domestic and wild animal species and birds” of the L.K. Ernst Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry. Polymorphisms of 10 microsatellites (S0155, S0355, S0386, SW24, SO005, SW72, SW951, S0101, SW240, and SW857) were determined according to the previously developed technique using DNA analyser ABI3130xl. To estimate the allele pool of each population, the average number of alleles (NA), the effective number of alleles (NE ) based on the locus, the rarified allelic richness (AR), the observed (HO ) and expected (HE ) heterozygosity, and the fixation index (FIS) were calculated. The degree of genetic differentiation of the breeds was assessed based on the pairwise values of FST and D. The analysis of the allelic and genetic diversity parameters of the local breeds showed that the maximum and minimum levels of polymorphism were observed in pigs of the Ukrainian White Steppe breed (NA = 6.500, NE = 3.709, and AR = 6.020) and in pigs of the Duroc breed (NA = 4.875, NE = 2.119, and AR = 3.821), respectively. The highest level of genetic diversity was found in the Large White breed of the Republic of Belarus (HO = 0.707 and NE = 0.702). The minimum level of genetic diversity was found in pigs of the imported breeds – the Landrace (HO = 0.459, HE = 0.400) and the Duroc (HO = 0.480, HE = 0.469) – indicating a high selection pressure in these breeds. Based on the results of phylogenetic analysis, the genetic origin of Large White pigs, the breeds, from which the Berkshire pigs originated, and the genetic detachment of the Landrace from the Mangalitsa breeds were revealed. The cluster analysis showed a genetic consolidation of the Black-and-White, the Berkshire, and the Mangalitsa pigs. Additionally, the imported breeds with clustering depending on the origin were characterised by a genetic structure different from that of the other breeds. The information obtained from these studies can serve as a guide for the management and breeding strategies of the pig breeds studied, to allow their better use and conservation.

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Genetic relationships of fertility traits with test-day milk yield and fat-to-protein ratio in tropical smallholder dairy farms

Animal Science Journal ◽

10.1111/asj.12472 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 87 (5) ◽

pp. 627-637 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Sayan Buaban ◽

Monchai Duangjinda ◽

Mitsuyoshi Suzuki ◽

Yutaka Masuda ◽

Jureeratn Sanpote ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Milk Yield ◽

Genetic Relationships ◽

Dairy Farms ◽

Protein Ratio ◽

Smallholder Dairy ◽

Fertility Traits ◽

Smallholder Dairy Farms

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Effects of exogenous porcine somatotropin on performance, testicular steroid production and fat levels of boar-taint-related compounds in young boars

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas92-066 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 72 (3) ◽

pp. 537-545 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

M. Bonneau ◽

W. J. Meadus ◽

E. J. Squires

Keyword(s):

Feed Efficiency ◽

Genital Tract ◽

Young Male ◽

Live Weight ◽

Boar Taint ◽

Large White ◽

Hormone Synthesis ◽

Porcine Somatotropin ◽

Young Boars ◽

Related Compounds

Large White × Pietrain boars were administered 0 or 5 mg recombinant porcine somatotropin (pST) daily between 68 and 105 kg live weight in an investigation of the effects of pST treatment on growth performance, carcass traits, genital-tract development, steroid-hormone synthesis, and fat skatole and androstenone levels in young male pigs. Growth rate was not affected by pST treatment, daily feed intake was decreased 9% (P < 0.05), and feed efficiency was improved 7% (P < 0.01). Muscle content of the carcass was increased from 57.7% to 59.7%, and fat content was reduced from 18.8% to 15.7% (P < 0.001). Genital-tract development, testicular androgen and 16-androstene biosynthesis rates and skatole levels in fat were not affected by pST treatment. Androstenone levels in fat were reduced from 0.66 μg g−1 in control animals to 0.35 μg g−1 in pST-treated animals (P < 0.001). The results of the present experiment indicate that pST treatment of boars of a lean genotype significantly improves the performance of the animals and may contribute to a reduction in the incidence of boar taint. Key words: Boar taint, somatotropin, skatole, androstenone, pigs

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A Note on inbreeding and genetic relationships among British tested pigs

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100035911 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 125-128 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

C. Smith ◽

C. H. C. Jordan ◽

D. E. Steane ◽

M. B. Sweeney

Keyword(s):

Analysis Of Variance ◽

Variance Components ◽

Genetic Relationships ◽

Large White ◽

Genetic Contributions

Five samples from tested pig herds (Large White 1972, 1975, and 1976, British Landrace 1976 and Welsh 1976) were used to estimate the current rate of inbreeding in British pig testing herds. The annual rates of inbreeding (%) were estimated at 0·32, 0·19, 0·24, 0·33 and 0·34 respectively in the five samples. Overall average estimates of 0·49 to 0·52% per generation are similar to estimates from other pig populations reported in the literature. Coefficients of relationship within farms were calculated for various sib and non-sib groups and these were used to estimate the genetic contributions to the variance components in the analysis of variance of test records.

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Effects of immunocastration on growth performance, body composition, meat quality, and boar taint

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/99/2016-cjas ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 62 (No. 6) ◽

pp. 249-258

Author(s):

R. Stupka ◽

J. Čítek ◽

K. Vehovský ◽

K. Zadinová ◽

M. Okrouhlá ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Carcass Composition ◽

The Other ◽

Boar Taint ◽

Large White ◽

Study Objective ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Daily Gain

The study objective was to evaluate the effect of immunocastration in the period between the first and second vaccinations and subsequently between the second vaccination and slaughter on growth performance, carcass composition, meat quality, and boar taint, and compare results in immunocastrated males (IC), uncastrated boars (UCM), surgically castrated barrows (CM), and gilts (FE). The study included 70 pigs of the Duroc × (Large White × Landrace) crossbreed. Upon the overall assessment of the selected fattening indicators (average daily gain, feed intake), significant differences between CM and the other groups were demonstrated. Meanwhile, no significant differences were found between the IC, UCM, and FE groups. In this test, immunocastrates showed no negative effect from the second vaccination in relation to those carcass value indicators evaluated in comparison with UCM and FE. CM showed adversely lower carcass value parameters compared the other groups. No significant differences in pH, meat colour, drip loss, shear force, and intramuscular fat were found. The values of these indicators obtained for IC converged with those measured in UCM and FE. It was demonstrated that immunocastration prevented the occurrence of undesired boar taint. Androstenone decreased by 77% and skatole by 71% in IC as compared to UCM.

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The Effect of Dietary Helianthus tuberosus L. on the Populations of Pig Faecal Bacteria and the Prevalence of Skatole

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10040693 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 693

Author(s):

Monika Okrouhlá ◽

Jaroslav Čítek ◽

Roman Švejstil ◽

Kateřina Zadinová ◽

Kamila Pokorná ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adipose Tissue ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Jerusalem Artichoke ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Carcass Composition ◽

Boar Taint ◽

Daily Weight Gain ◽

Helianthus Tuberosus ◽

Large White ◽

E Coli

Jerusalem artichoke contains inulin polysaccharide, which has prebiotic effects and influences the microbiota of the digestive tract. The addition of Jerusalem artichoke in boar diets may decrease the content of skatole and indole, which are the main constituents of boar taint, and may also negatively affect the taste and odor. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of Helianthus tuberosus L. (H. tuberosus) in feed mixtures on performance, carcass composition, the levels of microbiota in faecal samples, and the concentrations of skatole and indole in adipose tissue. The study was performed with 47 crossbred entire male pigs of the Large White sire × (Large White dame × Landrace) genotype fed a basal diet with 0%, 4.1%, 8.1% or 12.2% H. tuberosus for 13 days before slaughter. Significant differences in daily weight gain and daily feed intake were found (p = 0.045), with the values being lower in the group with the highest level of H. tuberosus. In addition, increasing levels of H. tuberosus decreased the concentration of skatole in the adipose tissue (p = 0.003). The highest level of H. tuberosus decreased the level of Escherichia coli (p ≤ 0.001) in the faeces. The enterococcal count increased (p = 0.029) in groups with a diet that included 4.1% and 8.1% H. tuberosus. There was also a significant correlation between the concentration of H. tuberosus and the concentration of E. coli (p < 0.001; −0.64) and the skatole levels in the adipose tissue (p = 0.001; –0.46). Moreover, there was also a positive correlation between the concentration of E. coli and the skatole levels in the adipose tissue (p = 0.023; 0.33). In conclusion, feeding pigs with H. tuberosus leads to decreased levels of skatole in the adipose tissue. According to the results of our study, a diet with 8.1% H. tuberosus is sufficient for decreasing skatole levels, which could be due to the decreased levels of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines.

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