Impact of hyper-prolific population generation on the reproduction of sows in multiplication herds

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of higher selection pressure used in hyperprolific population on the reproduction of subsequent generations breed in a multiplication herd. Information on 539 litters of 178 ancestors of purebred sows from both hyper-prolific and normal population was included. Higher selection pressure particularly on litter size and teat number was applied in the hyper-prolific population. Differences between total number of piglets born, number of piglets born alive or number of piglets weaned were neither observed on the 1st only nor on the 1st to 5th litters. Likewise, no effect on the age of sows at the first parturition and number of insemination per pregnant had been found. A significant response on selection was determined only for teat number. The descendents of hyper-prolific population had about 0.37 teats more than sows of normal population. The results suggest that to achieve desired litter size in multiplication herds the selection criteria should be revised and higher focus should be put on the prolificacy, particularly on the litter size than on the traits with high heritability like production traits. Keywords: pigs, selection, reproduction, hyper prolific population Zusammenfassung Einfluss hyperfruchtbarer Sauen auf die Reproduktionsleistungen der Nachkommen in einer VermehrungsherdeUntersucht wurde der Einfluss eines hohen Selektionsdruckes in einer hyperfruchtbaren Sauenpopulatiuon im Vergleich zu Normalselektion auf das Fruchtbarkeitsgeschehen der Nachkommen in einer Vermehrungsherde über einen Zeitraum von 9 Generationen. Ausgewertet wurden 539 Würfe von 178 Sauen, welche von hyperfruchtbaren oder normal selektierten Sauen abstammten. Die Selektionsmerkmale der hyperfruchtbaren Population waren Merkmale der Wurfgröße und die Zitzenzahl. Bezüglich der Geburtsund Aufzuchtwurfgröße konnten auch bis zum 5. Wurf keine Selektionseffekte nachgewiesen werden. Das betraf auch das Erstwurfalter und die Anzahl notwendiger Besamungen. Lediglich bei den Zitzen ergab sich eine um 0,37 signifikant höhere Zitzenzahl bei Nachkommen der hyperfruchtbaren Population. Es wird geschlussfolgert, dass in hyperfruchtbaren Populationen ein höherer Selektionsdruck besonders bezüglich der Wurfgröße erforderlich ist.

Breeding for reproduction traits in context of multiplication herds efficiency in swine

“…Presented study is a follow-up to the studies focused on eff ect of diff erent selection pressure applied on two subpopulations of purebred Czech Large White sows on performance in multiplication herd (Tvrdoň and Humpolíček, 2010;Humpolíček and Tvrdoň, 2011). In these studies there was described that despite maximal selection pressure, which can be applied in breeding herds using hyperprolifi c line creation, the progress in litter size traits in multiplication herds was insuffi cient.…”

“…Mentioned strategies were focused mainly on the progress in purebred populations without regarding the impact on multiplication herds. In previous studies (Tvrdoň and Humpolíček, 2010;Humpolíček and Tvrdoň 2011) it was described that despite maximal selection pressure using hyperprolifi c line, which can be applied in breeding herds without negative eff ects, the progress in litter size traits in multiplication herds was insuffi cient. We noticed that incorporation of some auxiliary selection traits can be very eff ective.…”

Effect of teat order on piglet rearing results of native Złotnicka White breed

“…Rearing results of piglets as well as their suitability for further breeding also depend on both environmental factors such as daily care and the applied system of maintenance as well as on genetic factors (Stabenow & Manteuffel 2002, Burri et al 2009, Baxter et al 2011, Eliasson & Isberg 2011, Vanheukelom et al 2012. It should also be remembered that the size of a litter is affected by the number of teats in gilts and that is why animals with 14 or more teats should be chosen for future mothers in the course of the selection process (Kim et al 2005, Tvrdon & Humpolicek 2010.…”