engleski

Correlation between litter size traits in first parity sows and longevity in Topigs 20 line

Reproductive performances as litter size (LS) traits achieved in first parity sows in hyper-prolific line of sows could be a useful predictor in lifetime production records. Prolificacy is considered one of the significant traits in sows to investigate sow longevity. It is well known that LS in first parity sow are correlated with subsequent reproductive performance. Positive correlation between subsequent parities with the long productive life is a key for a positive aspect of the pork producer’s profitability. The heritability estimates for LS traits and longevity vary between pig breed population. Due to a low value, improvement in environmental effect and herd health management will improve a further progress for lifetime productivity, but also to estimate breeding values for sow longevity. The aim of this preliminary study was to analyse correlation between LS traits as Total Number of Born (TNB), Number of Born Alive (NBA) and Number of Weaned piglets (NW) in 1st parity sows with LS records between 7th to 11th parity order (PO) and to estimate the variance of the data components from the data set. Study was conducted in Croatia in pig breeding farm that include farrowing for 848 first parity sows in hyper-prolific lines Topigs 20 sows with selected records per animal from 7th to 11th parities. Data analysis was performed using GLM model to test the effects included in the model of calculation: PO, Gestation Length (GL), Age at 1st service (AGE1st) and Cycle Length (CL). Correlation coefficient (r) between LS traits was analysed using Pairwise Pearson PROC CORR procedure. Sows with data for LS in the 7th and 8th PO were defined as one group, while sows with 9th≤ as second group. Significant effect (P<0.05) fitted in the model was found for: PO, GL and CL. Differences (P<0.05) for TNB, NBA and NW piglets were recorded between first (12.07±0.10 ; 11.28±0.09 ; 11.09±0.05) and second (13.64±0.08 ; 12.06±0.07 ; 10.52±0.05) as well as between first and third (13.97±0.19 ; 12.13±0.14 ; 10.36±0.10) analysed group for LS traits. Linear correlation coefficient (r) of the phenotipycal value for LS traits according to analysed group was significant only between NBA in first and NBA in second analysed group (r=0.16 ; P<0.05). In general, longevity in sows is a functional traits of high importance and all the available informations related to prolificacy will be of great value to calculate phenotypic, but also genetic correlation between and within different population of sows.

litter size, correlation, sows, longevity

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