Abstract
Variance components for number of pigs born alive (NBA) were estimated by Gibbs Sampling using an animal model for the additive genetic maternal and paternal effect. The analysis was based on 48,577 litter records of German Landrace (DL) and 23,003 litter records of Pietrain (PI) herdbook sows. All data sets were provided by the official performance recording organization in Bavaria. The variance components for NBA were estimated in a bivariate animal model for first parity sows and sows with parities 2 to 10 taking into account the fixed effects of herd-year-season and parity number. Permanent environment of the sow and the paternal and maternal additive genetic effects were modelled as randomly distributed effects. The estimate for paternal heritability in both breeds was h 2 p=0.05 in parity number 1 and h 2 p=0.03 in parity numbers 2–10. The corresponding estimates for maternal heritability were h 2 m=0.15 in parity number 1 in both breeds and h 2 m=0.11 (DL) and h 2 m=0.09 (PI) in parity numbers 2–10. Genetic correlations between paternal and maternal additive genetic effects were positive and in the range from r pm=0.01 to r pm=0.25. Genetic correlations between paternal additive genetic effects in different parities were of medium size at r pp=0.47 for DL and r pp=0.34 for PI. This study confirms the additive genetic influence of a paternal component on NBA, in addition to the maternal component.
Published Version
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