Meatiness of tested gilts in three consecutive years

In the present study, the aim was to determine the impact of the following factors: age, farm, and gilt genotype, as well as the regression impact of body weight at the end of the performance test on the following tested properties: age at the end of the test/final age (FA), lifetime daily gain (LDG), the backfat thickness measured in two places (according to the Main Breeding program for Central Serbia), the depth of the long back muscle (BM) and the estimated lean meat content/meatiness (M). The study included two farms of pigs (farm 1 and farm 2), for three consecutive years (year 1, year 2 and year 3). The number of tested heads per year was 974 (year 1), 1311 (year 2) and 757 (year 3). The tested gilts were of Swedish Landrace, Large White and Duroc breeds. The gilts originated from 97 sires, while the number of daughters per sires ranged from 10 to 100. The results show that the Duroc animals were the oldest (245 days), which had the highest values for both measures of backfat thickness, but the lowest values for meatiness. In the third study year, the lowest average values were determined for the properties of the LDG, BM and M. The female animals from the farm 1 showed less growth/gain and had lower values for the estimated meatiness. As a result of the study, it was established that all included factors had a very high statistically significant influence on the variation of the tested properties (P <0.001), only the genotype of gilts showed a high statistically significant effect on the BM property (P <0.01).

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The visfatin (NAMPT; PBEF1) gene polymorphisms and associations with meat performance traits in three pig breeds kept in the Czech Republic

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/1673-cjas ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 54 (No. 10) ◽

pp. 443-447 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J. Zrůstová ◽

A. Knoll ◽

T. Urban ◽

S. Čepica

Keyword(s):

Average Daily Gain ◽

Backfat Thickness ◽

Large White ◽

Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Lean Meat ◽

Meat Content ◽

The Difference ◽

Daily Gain

Visfatin encoded by the NAMPT gene (nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, formerly also known as PBEF – pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor) is suggested to play a role in lipid metabolism and pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus type 2. A new microsatellite SCZ004 was detected within intron 9 of the NAMPT gene. In Czech Large White (n = 95) frequencies of alleles 282, 286, 287, 299, and 304 were 0.02, 0.39, 0.07, 0.04, and 0.48, respectively. Allele 286 was predominant also in Landrace (n = 11) and Black Pied Prestice (n = 11) breeds. Association analysis was carried out between previously reported SNP AM999341:g.669T>C in intron 9 of the NAMPT gene and backfat thickness, average daily gain and lean meat content in Czech Large White (n = 215), Black Pied Prestice (n = 96) and Landrace (n = 105). The CC genotype was associated with higher backfat thickness (CC was associated with lower backfat thickness when compared to TT and CT genotypes (CC genotype was associated with higher lean meat content when compared to CT (not significant) and TT genotype (CC had the lowest lean meat content when compared to CT and TT genotypes but only the difference between CC and CTT was statistically significant (<I ≤ 0.05). In Black Pied Prestice no association with lean meat content was found. Average daily gain was not associated with the SNP in any breed.

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Effect of breed of performance tested boars on ejaculate traits

Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry ◽

10.2298/bah2003309s ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 309-316

Author(s):

Radomir Savic ◽

Dragan Radojkovic ◽

Nenad Stojiljkovic ◽

Nenad Parunovic ◽

Marija Gogic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sperm Motility ◽

Performance Test ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Production Performance ◽

Large White ◽

Longissimus Dorsi Muscle ◽

Meat Content ◽

Weak Association ◽

Daily Gain

The main objective of the study was to determine the influence of breed on the traits of boar ejaculate: ejaculate volume (VOL, ml), sperm concentration (CON, x106 sperm/ml), total sperm count in ejaculate (TNS, x109 spermatozoa), sperm motility in native ejaculate (MON, %), sperm motility after dilution (MOD, %) and number of doses produced (NPD). The aim was also to evaluate the correlation of the boar performance test traits: average life daily gain (g), backfat thickness measured in two locations (mm), depth of longissimus dorsi muscle (mm) and carcass meat content (%) with ejaculate traits. Total of 931 ejaculates of 36 boars during reproductive exploitation were analysed (16 Landrace boars and 20 Large White boars). The effect was assessed using the procedure of the general linear model of the statistical package SAS 9.1.3 (SAS Inst. Inc., 2002- 2003). The model for analysis included the influence of breed, season and the linear regression influence of body weight at the end of the performance test. The correlation of the traits was determined by applying the Pearson?s correlation coefficient. Most of the examined ejaculate traits (VOL, CON, MOD and NPD) varied under the influence of boar breed (p<0.01; p<0.001). Weight at the end of the test (p<0.05; p<0.01; p<0.001) affected all examined traits, except CON and TNS. A weak association was found between production performance and ejaculate traits.

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The use of performance test parameters for selection of gilts before their placement into breeding

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/3937-cjas ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 51 (No. 6) ◽

pp. 253-261 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

N. Kernerová ◽

J. Václavovský ◽

V. Matoušek ◽

Z. Hanyková

Keyword(s):

Performance Test ◽

Performance Testing ◽

Live Weight ◽

Regression Function ◽

Backfat Thickness ◽

Daily Weight Gain ◽

Large White ◽

Lean Meat ◽

Meat Content ◽

Richards Function

The objectives of the paper were to evaluate carcass value in reared gilts on the basis of carcass analysis during the station test of purebred progeny of pigs and ultrasonically with Sonomark-100 or Piglog-105 instruments in the framework of valid methodology for performance testing, and to verify a pos-sibility of prediction of backfat thickness and/or average daily weight gain since birth and lean meat content of gilts as the elements of objectification for the evaluation of their body condition. In total 54 gilts of two breeds were evaluated: the dam breed Czech Large White and the sire breed Czech Large White – sire line. Four-parameter Richards function was used for growth evaluation. The regression function y = 63.870 – 0.447 bt1 – 0.510 bt2 + 0.128 MLLT was applied in ultrasonic instruments for the calculation of lean meat content. We calculated linear regression functions for the conversion of performance testing parameters (gain from birth, average backfat thickness and lean meat content) from live weight on the day of measurement per live weight declared during selections in gilts.

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Association analysis of interleukin-18 gene with performance traits in Czech Large White pigs

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis ◽

10.11118/actaun201260050097 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 60 (5) ◽

pp. 97-102 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Pavla Chalupová ◽

T. Urban ◽

A. Knoll

Keyword(s):

Average Daily Gain ◽

Backfat Thickness ◽

Breeding Value ◽

Interleukin 18 ◽

Large White ◽

Lean Meat ◽

Meat Content ◽

Pcr Rflp ◽

Performance Traits ◽

Daily Gain

This research focused on recently described MspI and VspI SNPs in interleukin-18 gene and their association with selected performance traits (backfat thickness; lean meat content, average daily gain from birth, average daily gain in test, breeding value for average daily gain, for lean meat content, for reproduction and total breeding value) in a population of 344 Czech Large White sows. Both SNPs were genotyped by PCR-RFLP. In this work, these polymorphisms were associated with backfat thickness and lean meat content. Animals with genotype AA (MspI SNP) had significantly (P < 0.05) lower backfat thickness and higher lean meat content (0.77 ± 0.02 and 62.16 ± 0.23, resp.) compared to GA (0.83 ± 0.02 and 61.40 ± 0.18, resp.). Animals with genotype AA (VspI SNP) had significantly (P < 0.05) lower lean meat content and higher backfat thickness (61.10 ± 0.36 and 0.85 ± 0.03, resp.) compared to GA (62.02 ± 0.16 and 0.77 ± 0.02, resp.). No association between IL-18 polymorphisms and other performance traits was found. Our study revealed that IL-18 could be candidate gene for backfat thickness and lean meat content in pigs.

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Relationships Between Performance Test Results of Gilts of Different Breeds

Annals of Animal Science ◽

10.2478/v10220-011-0009-8 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 577-584

Author(s):

Jerzy Nowachowicz ◽

Grażyna Michalska ◽

Tomasz Bucek ◽

Przemysław Wasilewski

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Performance Test ◽

Body Weight Gain ◽

Selection Index ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Test Results ◽

Large White ◽

Meat Content ◽

Daily Body Weight

Relationships Between Performance Test Results of Gilts of Different BreedsThe relationships expressed as calculated correlation coefficients were determined between the results of 44 110 purebred gilts performance tested in the years 2004-2008. The animals came from the Bydgoszcz Breeding Region and represented 5 breeds (Polish Large White, Polish Landrace, Hampshire, Duroc and Pietrain) and synthetic Line 990. The traits taken into account were: age and body weight on test day, daily body weight gain standardized to 180 days of age, backfat thickness at P2 and P4 points, loin eye height at P4 points, body meat content, and performance test selection index. Negative and highly significant correlations were found between growth rate and standardized backfat thickness at P2 and P4 points in all gilts of the tested breeds except Line 990. In the case of two breeds (Polish Large White and Pietrain) and Line 990, the correlation coefficients between daily body weight gain and standardized body meat content were negative and highly significant, which possibly suggests the unfavourable impact of high growth rate on the meat content. Higher correlation coefficient values were observed between the performance test selection index and the daily body weight gain than between the selection index and the body meat content of Polish Large White, Polish Landrace, Hampshire and Pietrain gilts.

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Offspring-sire regressions for production traits of pigs in a West Australian selection herd

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea9820047 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 22 (115) ◽

pp. 47

Author(s):

CA Morris ◽

BM Goss ◽

RH Wolskel

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Performance Test ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Sums Of Squares ◽

Standard Errors ◽

Performance Tests ◽

Production Traits ◽

Large White ◽

Heritability Estimates ◽

Daily Gain

Results from farm performance tests of Landrace and Large White pigs were collected over 14 months in a nucleus herd in Western Australia. They were used to make offspring-sire estimates of heritability for average daily gain and two combined ultrasonic fat depths (CK fat). Pigs were tested at about 85 kg and average daily gain was estimated from birth. Only 60% of records from the offspring of homebred sires were analysed, together with the performance test records from all of these sires. Data were adjusted for breed, and then contemporary deviations were estimated as the deviation of a pig's performance from that of all his contemporaries. The offspring-sire heritability estimates accounted for the effects of breed and sex, with sums of squares then being pooled, giving values of 0.05 � 0.1 6 and 0.57 � 0.15 for average daily gain and CK fat, respectively. Adjustments for body weight increased the estimates to 0.27 and 0.68 but with larger standard errors. These latter heritability estimates were very similar to the paternal half sib estimates. The means of all offspring of homebred and purchased boars indicated no advantage of purchased boars over homebreds in the Landrace breed. However, for Large Whites, the purchased boars were genetically superior in average daily gain and inferior in CK fat (by 2.1 and 0.9 a, respectively, in the performance of progeny). The heritability estimates from this study, applied to group-fed farm-tested pigs, suggest similar results to those from central tests or farm tests in Queensland. However, some attention should be given in tested pigs to variation in final liveweights, and possibly to a start weight at weaning instead of at birth.

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Interactions between weaning age, weaning weight, sex, and enzyme supplementation on growth performance of pigs

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1071/ar01197 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 53 (8) ◽

pp. 939 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

F. R. Dunshea ◽

D. K. Kerton ◽

P. D. Cranwell ◽

R. G. Campbell ◽

B. P. Mullan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Large White ◽

Weaning Weight ◽

Exogenous Enzyme ◽

The Third ◽

Main Effect ◽

Weaning Age ◽

Enzyme Supplementation ◽

Daily Gain

Digestive capacity of early-weaned pigs may be insufficient to fully digest many ingredients currently used in weaner diets. The aim of this experiment was to determine whether an exogenous enzyme preparation with broad carbohydrase activity could benefit pigs that developmentally might be immature at weaning, especially with regard to gastrointestinal development. Eighty Large White × Landrace pigs were used in a 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment with the factors being: weaning age (14 or 24 days), weaning weight (heavy or light), sex (boar or gilt), and dietary Biofeed Plus CT (0 or 500 μg/g) which contained fungal xylanases, pentosanases and β-glucanases. Pigs were housed individually and given a wheat-based (550 g/kg) diet containing 15.0 MJ DE and 15.9 g lysine/kg on an ad libitum basis for 21 days. The diet also contained 50 g/kg of soybean meal and 50 g/kg of lupin (Lupinus�angustifolius) kernels. The liveweights of heavy (H) pigs weaned at 24 or 14 days and light pigs (L) weaned at 24 or 14 days were 7.9 and 5.3 and 5.2 and 3.9 kg, respectively. Pigs weaned at 14 days grew slower (157 v. 345 g/day) than those weaned at 24 days, although there was a suggestion of an interaction between age and weight at weaning (P = 0.081). Thus, H and L pigs weaned at 14 days grew at 148 and 166 g/day, whereas H and L pigs weaned at 24 days grew at 374 and 315 g/day, respectively. Although there was no main effect of enzymes on daily gain (248 v. 254 g/day, P = 0.80), feed intake (278 v. 284 g/day, P = 0.79), or feed conversion ratio (1.19 v. 1.25, P�=�0.35), there were interactions with weaning age on daily gain (P = 0.050) and feed intake (P = 0.060). Pigs weaned at 14 days grew slower (176 v. 138 g/day) and ate less (206 v. 174 g/day), whereas pigs weaned at 24 days grew faster (321 v. 369 g/day) and ate more (351 v. 394 g/day), when supplemented with enzymes. During the third week after weaning there were interactions between dietary enzymes and sex (P = 0.060) and dietary enzymes and age (P = 0.023) on daily gain. Thus, pigs weaned at 24 days and supplemented with Biofeed Plus CT grew more quickly during the third week (559 v. 460 g/day), whereas the converse was true for pigs weaned at 14 days (286 v. 334 g/day). Also, enzyme-supplemented boars grew better over this period (457 v. 371 g/day), whereas the converse was true for gilts (388 v. 423 g/day). In conclusion, these data clearly indicate that the greatest determinant of post-weaning performance under the present conditions was the age of the pigs at weaning. Dietary enzyme supplementation appeared most efficacious in boars weaned at an older age, although benefits did not become apparent until 2 weeks after weaning.

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Early Weaning Affects Liver Antioxidant Function in Piglets

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11092679 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 2679

Author(s):

Lihuai Yu ◽

Hongmin Li ◽

Zhong Peng ◽

Yuzhu Ge ◽

Jun Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Body Weight ◽

Antioxidant Enzymes ◽

Liver Weight ◽

The Body ◽

Early Weaning ◽

Large White ◽

Enzymes Activity ◽

Antioxidant Function ◽

The Impact

This study examined the impact of early weaning on antioxidant function in piglets. A total of 40 Duroc × Landrace × Large White, 21-day-old piglets (half male and half female) were divided into suckling groups (SG) and weaning groups (WG). Piglets in WG were weaned at the 21st day, while the piglets in SG continued to get breastfed. Eight piglets from each group were randomly selected and slaughtered at 24th-day (SG3, WG3) and 28th-day old (SG7, WG7). The body weight, liver index, hepatocyte morphology, antioxidant enzymes activity, gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, and Nrf2 signaling in the liver of piglets were measured. The results showed that weaning caused decreased body weight (p < 0.01), lower liver weight (p < 0.01), and decreased the liver organ index (p < 0.05) of piglets. The area and size of hepatocytes in the WG group was smaller than that in the SG group (p < 0.05). We also observed that weaning reduced the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) (p < 0.05) in the liver of piglets. Relative to the SG3 group, the gene expression of GSH-Px in liver of WG3 was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The gene expression of Nrf2 in the SG3 group was higher than that in the WG3 group (p < 0.01). The gene expression of NQO1 in the SG7 group was higher than that in the WG7 group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, weaning resulted in lower weight, slowed liver development, and reduced antioxidant enzymes activity, thereby impairing liver antioxidant function and suppressing piglet growth.

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The Impact of Selection using Residual Average Daily Gain and Marbling EPDs on Growth Performance and Carcass Traits in Angus Steers

Meat and Muscle Biology ◽

10.22175/mmb.10749 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

Author(s):

T. R. Krause ◽

E. R. Moore ◽

J. Duggin ◽

J. R. Segers ◽

T. D. Pringle

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Backfat Thickness ◽

Feeding Trial ◽

Body Weights ◽

Selection For ◽

Carcass Merit ◽

The Impact ◽

Daily Gain

ObjectivesProfitability in the beef industry has narrow margins regulated by revenue from output traits like growth and carcass merit, but profitability is also largely impacted by input expenses like feed costs. Selecting for improvements in feed efficiency during the finishing phase, one of the most feed intensive segments of the industry, can help to mitigate those input costs. This study compared growth performance, feed efficiency, body composition, and carcass characteristics in Angus steers (n = 321) from bulls divergently selected for feed efficiency and marbling.Materials and MethodsAngus sires were selected based on high (10th percentile or better) and low (85th percentile or worse) residual average daily gain (RADG) EPD as well as high (fifth percentile or better) and average (near 50th percentile) marbling (MARB) EPD. These criteria resulted in a 2 × 2 factorial design with four breeding lines: high RADG/high MARB, high RADG/average MARB, low RADG/high MARB, low RADG/average MARB. Data were analyzed using MIXED procedures of SAS with RADG and MARB as main effects. Significance was set at α = 0.05. Generation was also analyzed, where generation one (GEN1) steers were from a selected sire while generation two (GEN2) steers were from a selected sire and a selected dam.ResultsUltrasound and carcass data revealed no differences (P ≥ 0.12) in 12th rib backfat thickness from weaning through slaughter for the RADG EPD groups. Yield grade and dressing percent did not differ (P ≥ 0.56) across RADG or MARB groups. At the beginning and end of the feeding trial, the high RADG (P ≤ 0.02) group had larger ultrasound ribeye area (REA) than the low RADG group. Carcass REA tended (P = 0.08) to be larger in the high versus low RADG steers. During the feedlot trial and through slaughter, body weight was heavier (P ≤ 0.006) for the high versus low RADG steers but did not differ (P ≥ 0.44) across MARB EPD. Feed efficiency measures did not differ (P ≥ 0.32) across RADG or MARB groups apart from the tendency (P = 0.08) for residual feed intake to be lower in the high versus low RADG steers. Marbling scores differed (P ≤ 0.04) across RADG and MARB groups with the low RADG steers and the high MARB steers having improved marbling. The quality grade distribution across MARB EPD revealed that the average MARB steers graded 73% Choice and 25% Prime while the high MARB steers graded 56% and 42%, respectively. Slice shear force did not differ (P ≥ 0.32) across RADG or MARB EPD. Body weights tended (P = 0.06) to be heavier at the start of the feeding trial for GEN1 versus GEN2 steers. Total gain, average daily gain, and feed to gain (F:G) differed by generation (P ≤ 0.007) with increased rates of gain and reduced F:G in the GEN2 versus GEN1 steers. Body weights did not differ (P = 0.72) across GEN at the end of the feeding trial. Backfat thickness at the start and end of the feedlot phase was less (P ≤ 0.03) and marbling score was improved (P = 0.02) in the GEN2 versus GEN1 steers, respectively.ConclusionThese results suggest that selection using RADG EPD has negligible impacts on meat quality; and that progress in selection for efficiency can be achieved while advancing carcass quality and value. Furthermore, continued divergent selection for feed efficiency and marbling has the potential to improve feed efficiency through advancements in the rate of gain, while enhancing carcass merit through marbling.

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RELATIONSHIPS OF SCROTAL CIRCUMFERENCE WITH BODY WEIGHT AND BACKFAT THICKNESS IN MULTIBREED SYNTHETIC POPULATIONS OF YOUNG BEEF BULLS

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas82-124 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 62 (4) ◽

pp. 1049-1055 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

A. K. SHARMA ◽

R. T. BERG

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Performance Test ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Backfat Thickness ◽

Simple Correlation ◽

Scrotal Circumference ◽

Synthetic Populations ◽

Breed Group ◽

Partial Correlations ◽

Beef Bulls

Relationships of scrotal circumference (SC) with body weight (BW) and backfat thickness (FT) as measured from scanograms were studied. A total of 935 observations on growing multibreed synthetic beef bulls on a postweaning performance test were available from a commercial herd for this study. Significant breed group, period and group × period interaction effects were noted on SC, BW and FT. BW and SC increased significantly during the test in all breed groups, while FT showed no change in three breed groups. Repeatability pooled across groups for SC was estimated as 0.72; 0.66 after adjusting for BW. Significant correlations were noticed between SC and BW within each breed group. Partial correlations between SC and BW at constant FT were not different from gross correlations. Linear regression coefficients of SC on BW were significant in all groups and showed heterogeneity among groups but not between periods within groups. Adjustments of SC for BW should, therefore, be breed group specific. BW alone accounted for considerable variation in SC, from 38 to 76%. Simple correlation coefficients between SC and FT were low and significant in only two groups. A significant but low positive relationship was noted between SC and FT at constant BW in a group fed a high-concentrate diet during the postweaning gain period, but there was no relationship in four other groups. Results indicated that the method of adjusting SC for FT as an indirect way of adjusting for scrotal fat was not satisfactory. Key words: Bulls, scrotal circumference, growth

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