Estimation of genetic and phenotypic parameters for sow productivity traits in the South African Large White pigs
Date
2012
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
South African Society for Animal Science
Abstract
The objective of the study was to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters for sow productivity traits of South African Large White pigs, using data from the Integrated Registration and Genetic Information Systems. The analyses were done on 29 719 records for 7 983 sows from 29 herds, which farrowed between 1990 and 2008. Data were analysed as a sow trait using a repeatability animal model. The traits analysed were number of piglets born alive (NBA), litter birth weight (LBWT), 21-day litter size (D21LS) and 21-day litter weight (D21LWT). Estimates of heritability for these traits were 0.07 ± 0.01, 0.11 ± 0.01, 0.03 ± 0.01 and 0.06 ± 0.01, respectively. The respective repeatability estimates for the traits were 0.15 ± 0.01, 0.16 ± 0.01, 0.11 ± 0.01 and 0.12 ± 0.01. Genetic correlations among the traits ranged from 0.32 ± 0.07 between NBA and D21LWT to 0.88 ± 0.04 between NBA and D21LS. The phenotypic correlations ranged from 0.35 ± 0.01 between NBA and D21LWT to 0.75 ± 0.01 between NBA and LBWT. Litter traits at birth were more heritable and repeatable than traits measured at 21 days of age. In general, all traits showed positive genetic and phenotypic trends for the period studied. The heritability of sow productivity traits was low and less repeatable, which suggests that response to selection may be slow and that the performance in the first parity may not always predict future performance. However, because of their economic importance, an attempt should always be made to keep these traits at their optimum.
Description
CITATION: Dube, B., Mulugeta, S. D. & Dzama, K. 2012. Estimation of genetic and phenotypic parameters for sow productivity traits in the South African Large White pigs. South African Journal of Animal Science, 42(4):389-397, doi:10.4314/sajas.v42i4.7.
The original publication is available at http://sasas.co.za/journals
The original publication is available at http://sasas.co.za/journals
Keywords
Pig production -- South Africa, Swine -- Breeding -- South Africa, Swine -- Genetics
Citation
Dube, B., Mulugeta, S. D. & Dzama, K. 2012. Estimation of genetic and phenotypic parameters for sow productivity traits in the South African Large White pigs. South African Journal of Animal Science, 42(4):389-397, doi:10.4314/sajas.v42i4.7.