Vitality in relation to litter size of crossbred pigs and the effect of the terminal sire line
K. Elbert![https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5957-0513](/media/client/orcid_16x16.png)
A Department of Animal Sciences, Division of Functional Breeding, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Burckhardtweg 2, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
B PIC North America, 100 Bluegrass Commons Boulevard, Street 2200, Hendersonville, TN 37075, USA.
C Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Landscape Architecture, Division Animal Breeding, University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück, Am Kruempel 31, 49090 Osnabrueck, Germany.
D Corresponding author. Email: k.elbert@hs-osnabrueck.de
Animal Production Science 61(15) 1519-1525 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN20424
Submitted: 20 July 2020 Accepted: 24 May 2021 Published: 15 June 2021
Abstract
Context: Most research on sire lines is linked to growth and carcass traits. Only a limited number of field trials explore the effect of sire line on piglet vitality, litter size and the interactions between these traits.
Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of sire line on the growth performance and vitality of progeny from birth to weaning and to evaluate the lines with respect to their impact on litter size.
Methods: Data included 150 litters of a Synthetic sire line (A) and 154 of a Piétrain sire line (B), with 4209 piglets born alive, which resulted from matings to 337 dams (Camborough PIC). The numbers of total born and born alive piglets per litter were recorded. Within 24 h after birth, piglet individual birthweight (BWbirth), sex (male/female) and body temperature (BT) were also recorded. At weaning, mortality rates and weaned pigs per sow were registered. At the day of weaning, 665 randomly chosen pigs were individually weighed. Weaning weights (WW) were used to calculate the weaning average daily gain (WADG).
Key results: Sire line significantly affected number of total born (P < 0.0001), number born alive (P < 0.01) and number of weaned pigs per sow (P < 0.01). Across lines, each additional piglet per litter resulted in a 31.2 g decline in BWbirth (P < 0.001). Larger litter sizes, higher BWbirth (P < 0.01) and piglets with a lower BT (P < 0.0001) were detected in litters of Sire line B compared with litters of Sire line A. No differences between lines were detected for WADG, WW and pre-weaning mortality (P > 0.05). A positive correlation between birthweight and WW resulted in a correspondingly higher WADG (P < 0.0001). Overall, heavier BWbirth piglets had a higher BT (P < 0.0001).
Conclusions: The present study indicates that Sire line B would offer a possibility to maintain litter size at a high level and, simultaneously, achieve higher BWbirth, with consequently more vital piglets.
Implication: It is important to emphasise that further selection for litter size in dam lines is not indicated in terms of animal welfare but also production efficiency. Instead, it seems feasible to follow the above strategy and stabilise litter size at a high level, while at the same time breeding for vitality and survivability in sire lines.
Keywords: genetic, swine, thermoregulation, gender, piglet producer.
References
Andersen HM-L, Pedersen LJ (2016) Effect of radiant heat at the birth site in farrowing crates on hypothermia and behaviour in neonatal piglets. Animal 10, 128–134.| Effect of radiant heat at the birth site in farrowing crates on hypothermia and behaviour in neonatal piglets.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Barr DJ (2013) Random effects structure for testing interactions in linear mixed-effects models. Frontiers in Psychology 4, 328
| Random effects structure for testing interactions in linear mixed-effects models.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23761778PubMed |
Barr DJ, Levy R, Scheepers C, Tily HJ (2013) Random effects structure for confirmatory hypothesis testing: keep it maximal. Journal of Memory and Language 68, 255–278.
| Random effects structure for confirmatory hypothesis testing: keep it maximal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Baxter EM, Jarvis S, D’Eath RB, Ross DW, Robson SK, Farish M, Nevison IM, Lawrence AB, Edwards SA (2008) Investigating the behavioural and physiological indicators of neonatal survival in pigs. Theriogenology 69, 773–783.
| Investigating the behavioural and physiological indicators of neonatal survival in pigs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18242685PubMed |
Baxter EM, Jarvis S, Palarea-Albaladejo J, Edwards SA (2012) The Weaker Sex? The Propensity for Male-Biased Piglet Mortality. PLoS One 7, e30318
| The Weaker Sex? The Propensity for Male-Biased Piglet Mortality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22272334PubMed |
Beaulieu AD, Aalhus JL, Williams NH, Patience JF (2010) Impact of piglet birth weight, birth order, and litter size on subsequent growth performance, carcass quality, muscle composition, and eating quality of pork1. Journal of Animal Science 88, 2767–2778.
| Impact of piglet birth weight, birth order, and litter size on subsequent growth performance, carcass quality, muscle composition, and eating quality of pork1.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20418451PubMed |
Boe-Hansen GB, Christensen P, Vibjerg D, Nielsen MBF, Hedeboe AM (2008) Sperm chromatin structure integrity in liquid stored boar semen and its relationships with field fertility. Theriogenology 69, 728–736.
| Sperm chromatin structure integrity in liquid stored boar semen and its relationships with field fertility.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18242673PubMed |
Brauer M, Curtin JJ (2018) Linear mixed-effects models and the analysis of nonindependent data: a unified framework to analyze categorical and continuous independent variables that vary within-subjects and/or within-items. Psychological Methods 23, 389–411.
| Linear mixed-effects models and the analysis of nonindependent data: a unified framework to analyze categorical and continuous independent variables that vary within-subjects and/or within-items.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29172609PubMed |
Broekhuijse MLWJ, Feitsma H, Gadella BM (2012a) Artificial insemination in pigs: predicting male fertility. The Veterinary Quarterly 32, 151–157.
| Artificial insemination in pigs: predicting male fertility.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Broekhuijse MLWJ, Šoštarić E, Feitsma H, Gadella BM (2012b) The value of microscopic semen motility assessment at collection for a commercial artificial insemination center, a retrospective study on factors explaining variation in pig fertility. Theriogenology 77, 1466–1479.
| The value of microscopic semen motility assessment at collection for a commercial artificial insemination center, a retrospective study on factors explaining variation in pig fertility.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Caldara FR, dos Santos LS, Machado ST, Moi M, de Alencar Nääs I, Foppa L, Garcia RG, de Kássia Silva dos Santos R (2014) Piglets’ surface temperature change at different weights at birth. Asian–Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 27, 431–438.
| Piglets’ surface temperature change at different weights at birth.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25049971PubMed |
Cámara L, Berrocoso JD, Coma J, López-Bote CJ, Mateos GG (2016) Growth performance and carcass quality of crossbreds pigs from two Pietrain sire lines fed isoproteic diets varying in energy concentration. Meat Science 114, 69–74.
| Growth performance and carcass quality of crossbreds pigs from two Pietrain sire lines fed isoproteic diets varying in energy concentration.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26741851PubMed |
Cilla I, Altarriba J, Guerrero L, Gispert M, Martínez L, Moreno C, Beltrán JA, Guàrdia MD, Diestre A, Arnau J, Roncalés P (2006) Effect of different Duroc line sires on carcass composition, meat quality and dry-cured ham acceptability. Meat Science 72, 252–260.
| Effect of different Duroc line sires on carcass composition, meat quality and dry-cured ham acceptability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22061552PubMed |
Cutshaw RL, Schinckel AP, Schultz MM, Fix J, Brubaker M, Einstein M (2014) Relationships among sow productivity traits within purebred and crossbred litters. Livestock Science 170, 193–202.
| Relationships among sow productivity traits within purebred and crossbred litters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Decaluwé R, Maes D, Wuyts B, Cools A, Piepers S, Janssens GPJ (2014) Piglets’ colostrum intake associates with daily weight gain and survival until weaning. Livestock Science 162, 185–192.
| Piglets’ colostrum intake associates with daily weight gain and survival until weaning.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Didion BA, Kasperson KM, Wixon RL, Evenson DP (2009) Boar fertility and sperm chromatin structure status: a retrospective report. Journal of Andrology 30, 655–660.
| Boar fertility and sperm chromatin structure status: a retrospective report.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19478334PubMed |
Dufrasne M, Misztal I, Tsuruta S, Gengler N, Gray KA (2014) Genetic analysis of pig survival up to commercial weight in a crossbred population. Livestock Science 167, 19–24.
| Genetic analysis of pig survival up to commercial weight in a crossbred population.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Edwards SA (2002) Perinatal mortality in the pig: environmental or physiological solutions? Livestock Production Science 78, 3–12.
| Perinatal mortality in the pig: environmental or physiological solutions?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fix JS, Cassady JP, Herring WO, Holl JW, Culbertson MS, See MT (2010) Effect of piglet birth weight on body weight, growth, backfat, and longissimus muscle area of commercial market swine. Livestock Science 127, 51–59.
| Effect of piglet birth weight on body weight, growth, backfat, and longissimus muscle area of commercial market swine.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gao Y, Qimuge NR, Qin J, Cai R, Li X, Chu GY, Pang WJ, Yang GS (2018) Acute and chronic cold exposure differentially affects the browning of porcine white adipose tissue. Animal 12, 1435–1441.
| Acute and chronic cold exposure differentially affects the browning of porcine white adipose tissue.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29143709PubMed |
García-Casco JM, Fernández A, Rodríguez MC, Silió L (2012) Heterosis for litter size and growth in crosses of four strains of Iberian pig. Livestock Science 147, 1–8.
| Heterosis for litter size and growth in crosses of four strains of Iberian pig.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
García-Contreras C, Madsen O, Groenen MAM, López-García A, Vázquez-Gómez M, Astiz S, Núñez Y, Benítez R, Fernández A, Isabel B, Rey AI, González-Bulnes A, Óvilo C (2020) Impact of genotype, body weight and sex on the prenatal muscle transcriptome of Iberian pigs. PLoS One 15, e0227861
| Impact of genotype, body weight and sex on the prenatal muscle transcriptome of Iberian pigs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 31990923PubMed |
Gilleland HL, Detweiler R, Azain MJ, Pringle D (2019) Effects of sire line, slaughter weight, and gender on pork quality and yield characteristics. Meat and Muscle Biology 1, 88
| Effects of sire line, slaughter weight, and gender on pork quality and yield characteristics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gondret F, Lefaucheur L, Perruchot MH, Farmer C, Liaubet L, Louveau I (2020) 2. Lean and fat development in piglets. ‘The Suckling Weaned Piglet’. (Ed. C Farmer) pp. 41–69. (Wageningen Academic Publishers: Netherlands)
Hamann H, Steinheuer R, Distl O (2004) Estimation of genetic parameters for litter size as a sow and boar trait in German herdbook Landrace and Pietrain swine. Livestock Production Science 85, 201–207.
| Estimation of genetic parameters for litter size as a sow and boar trait in German herdbook Landrace and Pietrain swine.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
He T, He L, Gao E, Hu J, Zang J, Wang C, Zhao J, Ma X (2018) Fat deposition deficiency is critical for the high mortality of pre-weanling newborn piglets. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology 9, 66
| Fat deposition deficiency is critical for the high mortality of pre-weanling newborn piglets.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30155244PubMed |
Herpin P, Damon M, Le Dividich J (2002) Development of thermoregulation and neonatal survival in pigs. Livestock Production Science 78, 25–45.
| Development of thermoregulation and neonatal survival in pigs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Knol EF, Nielsen B, Knap PW (2016) Genomic selection in commercial pig breeding. Animal Frontiers 6, 15–22.
| Genomic selection in commercial pig breeding.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kobek-Kjeldager C, Moustsen VA, Theil PK, Pedersen LJ (2020) Effect of litter size, milk replacer and housing on production results of hyper-prolific sows. Animal 14, 824–833.
| Effect of litter size, milk replacer and housing on production results of hyper-prolific sows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 31650940PubMed |
Kwon W-S, Rahman MS, Lee J-S, You Y-A, Pang M-G (2015) Improving litter size by boar spermatozoa: application of combined H33258/CTC staining in field trial with artificial insemination. Andrology 3, 552–557.
| Improving litter size by boar spermatozoa: application of combined H33258/CTC staining in field trial with artificial insemination.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25767078PubMed |
Kwon W-S, Shin D-H, Ryu D-Y, Khatun A, Rahman MS, Pang M-G (2018) Applications of capacitation status for litter size enhancement in various pig breeds. Asian–Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 31, 842–850.
| Applications of capacitation status for litter size enhancement in various pig breeds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29268576PubMed |
Lopez BI, Kim TH, Makumbe MT, Song CW, Seo KS (2017) Variance components estimation for farrowing traits of three purebred pigs in Korea. Asian–Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 30, 1239–1244.
| Variance components estimation for farrowing traits of three purebred pigs in Korea.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28335089PubMed |
Lukač D, Vidović V, Višnjić V, Krnjaić J (2014) Duroc as a terminal sire line for fattening pigs production. Macedonian Journal of Animal Science 4, 55–59.
Luo J, Shen L, Tan Z, Cheng X, Yang D, Fan Y, Yang Q, Ma J, Tang Q, Jiang A, Jiang D, Tang G, Jiang Y, Li X, Yang R, Zhang S, Zhu L (2018) Comparison reproductive, growth performance, carcass and meat quality of Liangshan pig crossbred with Duroc and Berkshire genotypes and heterosis prediction. Livestock Science 212, 61–68.
| Comparison reproductive, growth performance, carcass and meat quality of Liangshan pig crossbred with Duroc and Berkshire genotypes and heterosis prediction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Marandu N, Halimani TE, Chimonyo M, Shoniwa A, Mutibvu T (2015) Effect of within-litter birth weight variation on piglet survival and pre-weaning weight gain in a commercial herd. Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics 116, 123–129.
Marchant-Forde JN, Lay DC, McMunn KA, Cheng HW, Pajor EA, Marchant-Forde RM (2014) Postnatal piglet husbandry practices and well-being: the effects of alternative techniques delivered in combination. Journal of Animal Science 92, 1150–1160.
| Postnatal piglet husbandry practices and well-being: the effects of alternative techniques delivered in combination.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24492555PubMed |
Menegatti L, Silva KC, Baggio RA, Zotti ML, Silva AS, Paiano D, Menegatti L, Silva KC, Baggio RA, Zotti ML, Silva AS, Paiano D (2018) Postnatal teeth procedures affect the weight gain and welfare of piglets. Revista Mvz Cordoba 23, 6429–6437.
| Postnatal teeth procedures affect the weight gain and welfare of piglets.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Muns R, Nuntapaitoon M, Tummaruk P (2016) Non-infectious causes of pre-weaning mortality in piglets. Livestock Science 184, 46–57.
| Non-infectious causes of pre-weaning mortality in piglets.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Myromslien FD, Tremoen NH, Andersen-Ranberg I, Fransplass R, Stenseth E-B, Zeremichael TT, van Son M, Grindflek E, Gaustad AH (2019) Sperm DNA integrity in Landrace and Duroc boar semen and its relationship to litter size. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 54, 160–166.
| Sperm DNA integrity in Landrace and Duroc boar semen and its relationship to litter size.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30168871PubMed |
Nuntapaitoon M, Muns R, Tummaruk P (2018) Newborn traits associated with pre-weaning growth and survival in piglets. Asian–Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 31, 237–244.
| Newborn traits associated with pre-weaning growth and survival in piglets.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28728403PubMed |
Nuntapaitoon M, Muns R, Theil PK, Tummaruk P (2019) Factors influencing colostrum consumption by piglets and their relationship with survival and growth in tropical climates. Livestock Science 224, 31–39.
| Factors influencing colostrum consumption by piglets and their relationship with survival and growth in tropical climates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ocepek M, Newberry RC, Andersen IL (2017) Trade-offs between litter size and offspring fitness in domestic pigs subjected to different genetic selection pressures. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 193, 7–14.
| Trade-offs between litter size and offspring fitness in domestic pigs subjected to different genetic selection pressures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ogawa S, Konta A, Kimata M, Ishii K, Uemoto Y, Satoh M (2019) Estimation of genetic parameters for farrowing traits in purebred Landrace and Large White pigs. Animal Science Journal 90, 23–28.
| Estimation of genetic parameters for farrowing traits in purebred Landrace and Large White pigs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30370591PubMed |
Panzardi A, Bernardi ML, Mellagi AP, Bierhals T, Bortolozzo FP, Wentz I (2013) Newborn piglet traits associated with survival and growth performance until weaning. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 110, 206–213.
| Newborn piglet traits associated with survival and growth performance until weaning.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23237812PubMed |
Paul C, Murray AA, Spears N, Saunders PTK (2008) A single, mild, transient scrotal heat stress causes DNA damage, subfertility and impairs formation of blastocysts in mice. Reproduction 136, 73–84.
| A single, mild, transient scrotal heat stress causes DNA damage, subfertility and impairs formation of blastocysts in mice.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18390691PubMed |
Pedersen MLM, Velander IH, Nielsen MBF, Lundeheim N, Nielsen B (2019) Duroc boars have lower progeny mortality and lower fertility than Pietrain boars. Translational Animal Science 3, 885–892.
| Duroc boars have lower progeny mortality and lower fertility than Pietrain boars.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 32704853PubMed |
Peña ST, Stone F, Gummow B, Parker AJ, Paris DBBP (2019) Tropical summer induces DNA fragmentation in boar spermatozoa: implications for evaluating seasonal infertility. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 31, 590–601.
| Tropical summer induces DNA fragmentation in boar spermatozoa: implications for evaluating seasonal infertility.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Quesnel H, Farmer C, Devillers N (2012) Colostrum intake: influence on piglet performance and factors of variation. Livestock Science 146, 105–114.
| Colostrum intake: influence on piglet performance and factors of variation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Quiniou N, Dagorn J, Gaudré D (2002) Variation of piglets’ birth weight and consequences on subsequent performance. Livestock Production Science 78, 63–70.
| Variation of piglets’ birth weight and consequences on subsequent performance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schild S-LA, Foldager L, Rangstrup-Christensen L, Pedersen LJ (2020) Characteristics of piglets born by two highly prolific sow hybrids. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7, 355
| Characteristics of piglets born by two highly prolific sow hybrids.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Škorjanc D, Brus M, Čandek Potokar M (2007) Effect of birth weight and sex on pre-weaning growth rate of piglets. Archiv fur Tierzucht 50, 476–486.
| Effect of birth weight and sex on pre-weaning growth rate of piglets.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wigmore PM, Stickland NC (1983) Muscle development in large and small pig fetuses. Journal of Anatomy 137, 235–245.
Wolf J, Wolfová M (2012) Effect of service sire on litter size traits in Czech Large White and Landrace pigs. Czech Journal of Animal Science 57, 220–230.
| Effect of service sire on litter size traits in Czech Large White and Landrace pigs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zigo M, Maňásková-Postlerová P, Zuidema D, Kerns K, Jonáková V, Tůmová L, Bubeníčková F, Sutovsky P (2020) Porcine model for the study of sperm capacitation, fertilization and male fertility. Cell and Tissue Research 380, 237–262.
| Porcine model for the study of sperm capacitation, fertilization and male fertility.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 32140927PubMed |