Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the reproductive performance of sows, including the interval from weaning to service after 1st litter and litter size in the following (2nd) parity, as well as the direct and maternal genetic effects of piglet growth on these reproduction traits. Data on 15 946 Norwegian Landrace sows' 1st and 2nd parity, and on 106,962 piglets born in 11,323 1st parity litters were included in the analyses, in total, five traits were analysed. Weaning-to-service interval was based on a 1- to 7-day interval (WS17) or a transformed 1- to 50-day interval (WS150). A third reproduction trait was total number of piglets born in 2nd parity (NBTnext). Piglet weight was included in the analyses, either as average piglet weight in the litter at 3 weeks of age (meanW3) or as individual piglet weight gain during the first 3 weeks of life (IWG03). Genetic parameters were estimated with animal models, including both direct and maternal effects for IWG03. Heritability estimates for WS17, WS150 and NBTnext were 0.08, 0.03 and 0.09 respectively. For meanW3. the heritability estimate was 0.21. For IWG03, the direct and maternal heritability estimates were 0.15 and 0.10 respectively. Negative and unfavourable genetic correlations were estimated between meanW3 and NBTnext (r(g) = -0.37), and between IWG03(maternal) and NBTnext (r(g) = -0.39). The ability to raise fast growing, heavy piglets seems to have an unfavorable effect on total number born in next litter but not on the weaning-to-service interval. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Pig; Genetic parameters; Maternal effects; Weaning to service interval; Litter size; Piglet weight

Published in

Livestock Science
2010, Volume: 128, number: 1-3, pages: 173-178
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

SLU Authors

• Lundgren, Helena

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Nilsson, Katja

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Lundeheim, Nils

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Rydhmer, Lotta

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Veterinary Science
Animal and Dairy Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2009.12.002

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/60938