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Genetic parameters for haemoglobin levels in sows and piglets as well as sow reproductive performance and piglet survival

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 October 2019

B. L. Hollema ,
S. Zwiers  and
S. Hermesch Open the ORCID record for S. Hermesch [Opens in a new window]
B. L. Hollema
Affiliation:
Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit, a joint venture between NSW Department of Primary Industries and University of New England, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia Wageningen Univ & Res, Anim Breeding & Genom, NL-6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands
S. Zwiers
Affiliation:
Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit, a joint venture between NSW Department of Primary Industries and University of New England, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia Wageningen Univ & Res, Anim Breeding & Genom, NL-6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands
S. Hermesch*
Affiliation:
Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit, a joint venture between NSW Department of Primary Industries and University of New England, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
*
†E-mail: Susanne.Hermesch@une.edu.au
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Abstract

Genetic parameters were estimated for haemoglobin (Hb) levels in sows and piglets as well as sow reproductive performance and piglet survival. Reproductive traits were available between 2005 and 2014 for 7857 litters from 1029 Large White and 858 Landrace sows. In 2012 and 2013, Hb levels, sow BW and sow back fat depth were measured on 348 sows with 529 litters 5 days prior to farrowing. In addition, Hb levels were available for 1127 one-day-old piglets from 383 litters (a maximum of three piglets per litter) of 277 sows with Hb levels. The average Hb levels in sows (sow Hb), their litters (litter Hb, based on average Hb of three piglets) and individual piglets (piglet Hb) were 112 ± 12.6 g/l, 103 ± 15.3 g/l and 105 ± 21.7 g/l, respectively. Heritabilities for Hb levels were 0.09 ± 0.07 for sow Hb, 0.19 ± 0.11 for litter Hb and 0.08 ± 0.05 for piglet Hb. Estimates for the permanent environment effect of sows were 0.09 ± 0.09 for sow Hb, 0.11 ± 0.12 for litter Hb and 0.12 ± 0.03 for piglet Hb. In comparison, heritabilities for both number of stillborn piglets and pre-weaning survival were lower (0.05 ± 0.01 and 0.04 ± 0.01). Sow BW had no significant heritability, while sow back fat depth was lowly heritable (0.10 ± 0.08). Positive genetic correlations were found between sow Hb and litter Hb (0.64 ± 0.47) and between litter Hb and sow back fat depth (0.71 ± 0.53). Higher litter Hb was genetically associated with lower number of stillborn piglets (−0.78 ± 0.35) and higher pre-weaning survival (0.28 ± 0.33). Negative genetic correlations between sow Hb and average piglet birth weight of the litter (−0.60 ± 0.34) and between piglet Hb and birth weight of individual piglets (−0.37 ± 0.32) indicate that selection for heavier piglets may reduce Hb levels in sows and piglets. Similarly, selection for larger litter size will reduce average piglet birth weight (rg: −0.40 ± 0.12) and pre-weaning survival (−0.57 ± 0.13) and may lead to lower litter Hb (−0.48 ± 0.27). This study shows promising first results for the use of Hb levels as a selection criterion in pig breeding programs, and selection for higher Hb levels may improve piglet survival and limit further reduction in Hb levels in sows and piglets due to selection for larger and heavier litters.

Keywords

Anaemiahaemoglobinstillborn pigletspre-weaning survivalsow characteristics
Type
Research Article
Information
animal , Volume 14 , Issue 4 , April 2020 , pp. 688 - 696
Copyright
© The Animal Consortium 2019 

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