Genetic aspects of piglet survival

By Egbert Frank Knol. 2001

158 citations recorded by the source corpus.

This dissertation studies the genetic variation in piglet survival. Piglet survival was defined as survival from pre-farrowing to weaning. Data sets used involved individual piglet information of around 33.000 litters. Genotypes of the piglet, of the biological mother and of the sow nursing the piglet were important for piglet survival. Estimated heritabilities were low, but genetic variation was considerable. Selection on the direct effect of piglet survival will result in measurable differences in survival. Relevant genetic correlations of piglet survival were found for litter size, within litter variation in birth weight, and in feed intake and ultrasonic measured backfat during the finishing phase. Genetic correlations with birth weight and correlated responses of selection on piglet survival on birth weight were effectively zero or even slightly negative. Consequences of the inclusion of selection for increased piglet survival in the breeding goal were discussed. For reproduction traits this inclusion will yield a more balanced progress. For finishing traits it will lower the genetic trend in percentage lean in the

Subfields: Animal Science and Zoology, Genetics, Small Animals

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/11c3f16c7101913b7b37232c03fadb2df0a3cb0d

How researchers see this paper

The researchers whose trusted networks rank it highest, strongest advocate first. Every researcher gets a different order.

In Animal Science and Zoology

1. Eildert Groeneveld
2. N. Lundeheim
3. L. Canario
4. J. Wolf
5. E. Žáková
6. J. Rooke
7. P. Herpin
8. L. Rydhmer

In Genetics

1. Eildert Groeneveld
2. N. Lundeheim
3. L. Canario
4. J. Wolf
5. E. Žáková
6. L. Rydhmer

In Small Animals

1. P. Herpin
2. J. L. Dividich
3. Eildert Groeneveld
4. N. Lundeheim
5. L. Canario
6. J. Wolf
7. E. Žáková
8. J. Rooke

Citations in the corpus

• Genetic correlations between gestation length, piglet survival and early growth (2008, background): “Knol (2001) included a random effect of the litter father (with no relationship matrix) and found that the father explained 6% of total variation in gestation length. Since the boar cannot influence the timing of the farrowing, the effect of the father must reflect the ability of the piglets to be b”
• Within-litter variation of birth weight in hyperprolific Czech Large White sows and its relation to litter size traits, stillborn piglets and losses until weaning (2008, result): “The observed relation that mean birth weight decreases as litter size (total number of piglets born and number of piglets born alive) increases was confirmed in numerous investigations (e.g. Johnson et al., 1999; Roehe, 1999; Knol, 2001; Lund et al., 2002).”
• Nutritional and immunological importance of colostrum for the new-born pig (2005, background): “The homogeneity of piglet birthweight within a litter has a genetic component (Knol et al. 2002).”