ACTA VETERINARIA ET ZOOTECHNICA SINICA ›› 2017, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (9): 1591-1601.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2017.09.004

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The Genetic Connectedness of Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire Pigs in China

ZHANG Jin-xin1,2#, ZHANG Suo-yu1,2#, QIU Xiao-tian2#, GAO Hong1,2, WANG Chang-cun2, WANG Yuan1,2, ZHANG Qin1, WANG Zhi-gang2, YANG Hong-jie2, DING Xiang-dong1*   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China;
    2. National Animal Husbandry Service, Beijing 100125, China
  • Received:2017-03-20 Online:2017-09-23 Published:2017-09-23

Abstract:

This study aimed to investigate the genetic connectedness of 3 dominant pig breeds (Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire pigs) in China, and to explore the plausibility of joint genetic evaluation in China pig breeding. The connectedness ratings (CR) from 2011 to 2016 were calculated to assess the genetic connectedness among 95 national nucleus pig breeding farms. In total, 514 226, 924 717 and 2 031 688 records of days to 100 kg for Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire pigs from National Pig Database were analyzed and several joint genetic evaluation groups were established through clustering analysis. The results indicated that the average connectedness ratings among Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire in China increased steadily from 0.04%, 0.06%, 0.06% in 2011 to 0.32%, 0.43% and 0.44% in 2016, respectively. In general, the connectedness rating in China was low, and even no connections among some breeding farms. However, 3, 2 and 4 groups, in which relative high genetic connectedness was observed among breeding farms, were clustered in Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire, respectively. The joint genetic evaluation could be carried out in these groups. For Duroc pigs, the 3 joint genetic evaluation groups including 16, 7 and 8 breeding farms, correspondingly, the average connectedness ratings of 3 groups were 1.89%, 1.05%, 1.58%, respectively. Likewise, the 2 groups of Landrace pigs included 14, 9 herds and the corresponding average connectedness rating were 3.53% and 1.56%. The 4 groups of Yorkshire pigs included 15, 6, 5, 4 herds and the corresponding average connectedness rating were 2.79%, 1.01%, 1.37% and 1.23%, respectively. The joint genetic evaluation groups of 3 breeds accounted for 35.1%, 24.5% and 31.6% of total nucleus farms in Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire pigs, respectively. Nevertheless national-wide joint genetic evaluation for pig breeding in China is not practical, the regional joint genetic evaluation groups cross farms is feasible. Meanwhile, genetic connectedness among breeding farms need be further strengthened through enhancing genetic exchange, constructing regional AI stations, utilizing central performance test stations and standardizing pig registration etc.

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