Exploring the genetics of feed efficiency and feeding behaviour traits in a pig line highly selected for performance characteristics

Abstract

The consideration of feed efficiency traits is highly relevant in animal breeding due to economic and ecologic impacts of the efficient usage and utilization of feed resources. In pigs, corresponding observations are recorded using automatic feeding stations and serve as one of the main criteria in most pig selection programmes. Simultaneously, feeding stations also generate feeding behaviour data which represent a nearly unused resource and provide a valuable proxy measure of health status, animal welfare, and management practices. In the current study, an integrated approach was applied to a feed efficiency tested and genome-wide genotyped terminal sire line population. Therefore, genetic analyses were performed combining a single-marker based approach and a Bayesian multi-marker algorithm. Major quantitative trait loci (QTL) for feeding behaviour traits comprising daily occupation time, daily feeder visit, and daily feeding rate were identified on chromosomes 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 14. Feed efficiency was represented by feed conversion ratio and daily feed intake revealing prominent genomic regions on chromosomes 1, 6, 9, and 11. The positional and functional candidate genes identified are involved in transport processes like AQP4, SLC22A23, and SLC6A14 as well as energy sensing, generation, and utilization as exemplified by PPP3CA, IQGAP3, ECI2, and DnaJC15. These molecular features provide the first step towards the dissection of the genetic connection between distinct feeding behaviour patterns, feed efficiency and performance, health, and welfare traits driving the implementation of these traits in breeding programmes and pig husbandry.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00438-017-1325-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Genomic analysis reveals genes affecting distinct phenotypes among different Chinese and western pig breeds

“… 89 EPB41L3 Feed efficiency Reyer, et al . 99 KCNK5 Birth weight Wang, et al . 100 ENSSSCG00000026652 Lean production Yang, et al .…”

Host-Microbiota Interactions in Ileum and Caecum of Pigs Divergent in Feed Efficiency Contribute to Nutrient Utilization

“…This is mainly due to advances in husbandry, genetics, and feeding strategies, including the use of highly concentrated, low-fiber feed largely resembling the human Western diet. However, even when environmental conditions and genetic origin are controlled, there is still considerable variation in the feed efficiency of pigs [5,[21][22][23], which were examined in this study at the host and microbiota level. One of the factors that might explain this are differences in the intestinal microbiota, whereby its composition and function can vary greatly depending on the intestinal segment and the age of the pig [3].…”

Genetic diversity and divergence among Korean cattle breeds assessed using a BovineHD single-nucleotide polymorphism chip

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