Login | Request Account (DAF staff only)

Genetic variation and responses in reproductive performance of sows in lines selected for growth rate under restricted feeding

Share this record

Add to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to XAdd to WechatAdd to Microsoft_teamsAdd to WhatsappAdd to Any

Export this record

Nguyen, N.H., McPhee, C.P. and Wade, C.M. (2006) Genetic variation and responses in reproductive performance of sows in lines selected for growth rate under restricted feeding. Animal Science, 82 (1). pp. 7-12.

Full text not currently attached. Access may be available via the Publisher's website or OpenAccess link.

Publisher URL: http://www.bsas.org.uk/

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine genetic changes in reproduction traits in sows (total number born (TNB), number born alive (NBA), average piglet birth weight (ABW) and number of piglets weaned (NW), body weight prior to mating (MW), gestation length (GL) and daily food intake during lactation (DFI)) in lines of Large White pigs divergently selected over 4 years for high and low post-weaning growth rate on a restricted ration. Heritabilities and repeatabilities of the reproduction traits were also determined. The analyses were carried out on 913 litter records using average information-restricted maximum likelihood method applied to single trait animal models. Estimates of heritability for most traits were small, except for ABW (0·33) and MW (0·35). Estimates of repeatability were slightly higher than those of heritability for TNB, NBA and NW, but they were almost identical for ABW, MW, GL and DFI. After 4 years of selection, the high growth line sows had significantly heavier body weight prior to mating and produced significantly more piglets born alive with heavier average birth weight than the low line sows. There were, however, no statistical differences between the selected lines in TNB or NW. The lower food intake of high relative to low line sows during lactation was not significant, indicating that daily food intake differences found between grower pigs in the high and low lines (2·71 v. 2·76 kg/day, s.e.d. 0·024) on ad libitum feeding were not fully expressed in lactating sows. It is concluded that selection for growth rate on the restricted ration resulted in beneficial effects on important measures of reproductive performance of the sows.

Item Type:Article
Additional Information:© British Society of Animal Science.
Keywords:Growth; pigs; reproductive performance; selection efficient lean growth; large white pigs; correlated responses; landrace pigs; 200 day weight; carcass traits; litter traits; parameters; components; swine.
Subjects:Animal culture > Swine
Science > Biology > Reproduction
Animal culture > Feeds and feeding. Animal nutrition
Live Archive:25 Feb 2009 05:18
Last Modified:03 Sep 2021 16:47

Repository Staff Only: item control page