The aim of this study was to determine the effect of parity on reproductive performance by sows of different breeds. The sows were raised on three farms, and had seven or more litters of not fewer than seven piglets. A total of 1511 litters from various parities of Lithuanian White (N =721), Large White (N = 162) and Landrace (N = 628) sows were contained in the data that were used in this study. Multiparous sows had larger litters than primiparous sows. Piglet survival rate declined from parity 7. An increase in litter size was observed until parity 5 in Large White and until parity 6 in improved Lithuanian White (P <0.05). In comparison with parity 1, Landrace sows up to parity 5 showed not only increased prolificacy, but also increased number and litter weight of piglets at 21 days old, and the number and litter weight of weaned piglets (P <0.01). The current findings indicate that sows of these breeds can be used effectively in breeding herds until parity 5 and parity 6.Keywords: Landrace, Large White, Lithuanian White, litter size

The experiment conducted in a stockyard in the district of Telšiai (Lithuania) involved two groups of animals: I-Lithuanian Whites, mated with the wild boar in an attempt to produce first-generation hybrids (F 1) having 50% wild boar blood, and II-female hybrids, mated repeatedly with the wild boar to produce second-generation hybrids (F 2) with 75% wild boar blood. An increase in the wild boar gene pool (up to 75%) led to a decrease in the litter size which approximated prolificacy values typical of wild boars. When white homozygous pigs of the Lithuanian White breed were mated with wild boars, white was the dominant color in the first generation (F 1), whereas when white, heterozygous female hybrids were crossbred with wild boars, white and striped (torched) second-generation (F 2) hybrids were distributed at the ratio of 1.25:1 throughout the population. The aim of this study was to investigate the growth rate, meatiness and meat quality of F 1 hybrids. In the control period, (body weight of approximately 30 to 80 kg), the average daily gains of hybrids (n = 12) reached 474 g. Boars grew faster (490 g), while gilts were marked by a slower growth rate (457 g). Five boars (approx. 100 kg) were slaughtered for the evaluation of meatiness traits and meat (musculus longissimus dorsi) quality, while gilts were left for further breeding. The average half-carcass length of hybrids was 95 cm, backfat thickness at 6-7 and last ribs reached 29 and 16 mm, respectively, and lean meat content was 50.7%. The meat pH 48 was 5.48, redness was determined at 18.16 ext. u., water holding capacity at 58.15% and cooking loss at 27.35%. Chemical composition composition of meat was as follows: 23.62% protein, 1.54% fat and 1.13% ash. In comparison with Lithuanian White pigs, hybrids grew at a slower rate and their carcasses had lower meatiness traits. The meat of F 1 hybrids was characterized by higher redness values, lower cooking loss and satisfactory chemical composition in respect of nutritive value. The meat of male hybrids was also found to deliver a high degree of palatability without a specific, offensive aroma.

Genetic Trend and Relationship of Meatiness Traits of Different Breed Pigs Raised in Lithuania The purpose of this study was to determine the genetic trend of leanness for purebred pigs, and to determine the relations between meatiness traits, age and live weight of animals. The estimation of meatiness traits (backfat and loin lean thickness, lean meat percentage) of purebred Lithuanian White (LW), Large White (La.W), Yorkshire (Y), Landrace (L), Duroc (D) and Pietrain (P) pigs grown in breeding centres was evaluated by apparatus Piglog 105, during 2000-2006. In 2006, the average lean meat percentage of purebred pigs in the breeding centres of Lithuania ranged from 56.9% (LW) to 59.5% (D). During the observation period (2000-2006), the genetic trend of the leanness of LW was 6.9% (P < 0.001), La.W and L, respectively, was 2.2 and 2.5% (P < 0.01), D was 1.6% (P < 0.05), Y was 0.2% and P was 0.6%. A higher genetic trend of the leanness in the LW pig breed can be explained by import of English La.W boars. Correlation analysis showed that lean meat percentage of pigs is more related to backfat thickness (r = from -0.84 to -0.95, P < 0.001), than to loin lean thickness (r = from 0.11 to 0.30). Live weight of pigs had more influence on mentioned meatiness traits than age.

The aim of this study was to determine the dependence of the total phenolic, flavonoid, and extractive content in extracts of Origanum vulgare L. on the soil pH, humus, total nitrogen (Ntotal), and plant-available/mobile phosphorus (P2O5), as well as potassium (K2O), total calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sodium (Na) concentrations. Experimental fields were formed in four locations in Lithuania. Soil and perennial O. vulgare samples were taken at three sites of each experimental field. A total of 12 samples of soil and 12 samples of the tested plant were collected and analyzed. The concentrations of bioactive compounds in plants are significantly (p < 0.05–0.01) affected by some chemical properties of the soil: the total phenolic content was reliably correlated with the soil pH, Ntotal, Ca, Mg, and P2O5; the flavonoid content was correlated with the soil P2O5, K2O, Mg, and Na; and the extractive content was correlated with the soil humus, Ntotal, and Na. The obtained results are useful for the development of the commercial cultivation of O. vulgare.

The aim of the experiment was to determine the RYR1 genotype and to analyse the distribution of osteochondrosis (OC) in wild boars from different regions of Lithuania. Hair and bone samples were collected from wild boars of various sexes and ages that had been shot during hunting season. Genomic DNA was extracted from hair roots. The RYR1 gene was analysed with the PCR-RFLP method, using specific primers and restriction enzymes Alw211 and Hin61. Only one C allele (q = 1.00) and CC genotype of the RYR1 gene were identified. Thus 138 genotyped wild boars were stress-resistant with both dominant alleles intact (no mutation). OC was measured by the cut surface of the distal femur and humerus. The prevalence of OC among the 34 wild boars tested was 20.6%. 5 animals (14.7%) had OC lesions in the hind legs and 2 animals (5.9%) had them in the front legs. OC affected leg joints more often in adult females (third-years and older), but this dependence was not significant (p > 0.05)..