Genetic parameters for litter size in Black Slavonian pigs

Abstract

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for litter size of Black Slavonian pigs using the repeatability, multiple trait, and random regression models, and to consider the possibility to increase litter size in Black Slavonian pigs by selection. A total of 4,733 litter records from the first to the sixth parity from sows that farrowed between January 1998 and December 2010 were included in the analysis. Individual record consisted of the following variables: breeding organisation (eight regions), parity (1-6), service boar, and farrowing season (monthyear interaction). Estimation of all the covariance components with three different models was based on the residual maximum likelihood method. Estimate of additive genetic variance and heritability for number of piglets born alive with repeatability model was 0.23 and 0.10, respectively. Estimates of additive genetic variance with multiple trait and random regression model were in a wider range from 0.05 to 0.65 across parities, and heritabilities were estimated in the range between 0.03 and 0.26. Estimates of phenotypic and additive genetic correlations were much smoother with random regression model in comparison with multiple trait model. Due to unexpected changes of variances along trajectory obtained with multiple trait and random regression model, the best option for genetic evaluation of litter size for now could be the use of repeatability model. With increasing number of data with proper data structure alternative modelling of litter size of Black Slavonian pig using multiple trait and random regression model could be taken into consideration.Additional key words: number of piglets born alive; local breed; repeatability; multiple trait model; random regression model.

210 Genetic analysis of production traits in different parities using multiple trait animal models in a Thai Landrace-Yorkshire swine population

“…Similarly, estimates of heritabilities for MTM-SPAR ranged from 0.04 ± 0.01 (first and second parity) to 0.09 ± 0.02 (third to last parity) for NBA, 0.06 ± 0.02 (second parity) to 0.08 ± 0.02 (third to last parity) for LTBW. The heritabilities estimated here for NBA and LTBW with MTM-PAR model were somewhat lower than those estimated in other countries (Oh et al, 2006;Fernández et al, 2008;Skorput et al, 2014). However, the estimates of heritability for NBA1 and NBA3+ in the MTM-SPAR were higher than those reported by Skorput et al (2014).…”

“…The heritabilities estimated here for NBA and LTBW with MTM-PAR model were somewhat lower than those estimated in other countries (Oh et al, 2006;Fernández et al, 2008;Skorput et al, 2014). However, the estimates of heritability for NBA1 and NBA3+ in the MTM-SPAR were higher than those reported by Skorput et al (2014). The levels of genetic variation found in this commercial herd indicated that these traits would respond to genetic selection.…”

Genetic parameters for reproductive, longevity and lifetime production traits in Bísaro pigs

“…Petrovic et al, 2013), Black Slavonian(Skorput et al, 2014) and Nero di Parma(Menčik et al, 2017); only close to the Malhado de Alcobaça(Vicente, 2006), another Portuguese breed. Yet, values fall considerably lower when compared to exotic breeds used in intensive pig production systems(Nagyné-Kiszlinger et al, 2013;Krupa et al, 2016;Li et al, 2017;Lopez et al, 2017).…”

Recent developments in cattle, pig, sheep and horse breeding - a review

“…Comparisons of different genetic index estimation methods for litter size are described by Skorput et al (2014). The objective of that study was to estimate genetic indices for litter size of the Black Slavonian pigs using the repeatability, multiple trait, and random regression models.…”