ACTA VETERINARIA ET ZOOTECHNICA SINICA ›› 2015, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (12): 2146-2152.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2015.12.004

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Factors Analysis and Genetic Parameter Estimation of Litter Uniformity

SHI Hui-bi1,WANG Li-gang1,LIANG Jing1,YANG Hou-de2,LIAO Ling-ling2,CHEN Zhao3,LIU Xin1,ZHAO Ke-bin1,ZHANG Long-chao1,YAN Hua1,WANG Li-xian1*   

  1. (1.Institute of Animal Science,Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Beijing 100193,China;2.Guangxi Kexinyuan Breeding Pigs Limited Liability Company,Nanning 530001,China;3.Guangxi Institute of Animal Sciences,Nanning 530001,China)
  • Received:2015-02-10 Online:2015-12-23 Published:2015-12-23

Abstract:

In order to provide data support for genetic parameters of piglet uniformity in breeding,to understand the impacts of non-genetic factors on raising pigs,and to provide references for production management of pig farms,we have evaluated the genetic parameters of piglet uniformity and statistically analyzed the fixed effects (years,mating seasons and parity) affecting the uniformity of piglets in this study.Statistical analysis of 2 766 purebred Large White sows’ farrowing records were conducted and the heritabilities and genetic correlations among important reproductive traits in groups were estimated using REML (restricted maximum likelihood) method.Moreover,least squares analysis for the influence factors of piglet uniformity were set up using fixed-effect model.The heritability of litter uniformity,total number of newborns,number born alive,number born dead and total litter weight at birth of piglets was 0.096,0.107,0.101,0.068 and 0.171,respectively.The genetic correlation coefficient between piglet uniformity and total number of newborns and between piglet uniformity and number born dead were 0.205 and 0.157,respectively.Fixed-effect analysis revealed that the seasons had significant impacts (P=0.023 6) on the uniformity of piglets.Parity and number of newborns had significant impacts (P=0.001) on the uniformity of piglets.The uniformity of piglets is heritable and its heritability is similar to the heritability of number of newborns.The uniformity of piglets can be improved by a reasonable breeding program.As uniformity of piglets has a positive genetic correlation with the total number of newborns and death rate,breeders should not pursue the high yield blindly.Uniformity of piglets,piglet death rate and sow annual productivity should also be considered.

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