Selecting for changes in average "parity curve" pattern of litter size in Large White pigs.
This study aimed to analyse genetic background of variation in reproductive performance between parities of a sow and to investigate selection strategies to change the "parity curve". Total number born (TNB) recorded in Large White sows was provided by Topigs Norsvin. Analysis with basic (BM) and random regression (RRM) models was done in ASReml 4.1. The BM included only a fixed "parity curve", while RRM included 3rd order polynomials for additive genetic and permanent sow effects. Parameters from RRM were used in simulations in SelAction 2.1. Based on Akaike information criterion, RRM was a better model for TNB data. Genetic variance and heritability estimates of TNB from BM and RRM were increasing with parity from parity 2. Genetically, parity 1 is the most different from parities 7 to 10, whereas most similar to parities 2 and 3. This indicates presence of genetic variation to change the "parity curve". Based on simulations, the selection to increase litter size in parity 1 only increases TNB in all parities, but does not change the observed shape of "parity curve", whereas selection for increased TNB in parity 1 and reduced TNB in parity 5 decreases differences between parities, but also reduces overall TNB in all parities. Changing the "parity curve" will be difficult as the genetic and phenotypic relationships between the parities are hard to overcome even when selecting for one parity.
['Sell-Kubiak|Ewa|E|https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7642-0787', 'Knol|Egbert Frank|EF|', 'Mulder|Herman Arend|HA|']
D000818:Animals D001947:Breeding D005260:Female D014644:Genetic Variation D007774:Lactation D008098:Litter Size D010641:Phenotype D011247:Pregnancy D012098:Reproduction D013552:Swine
sows total number born random regression reproduction traits within-sow variation