Estimation of growth model parameters for novel mini-pig breeds

Abstract

The present work aimed to develop growth curve models for two mini-pig breeds: an M-Pig® breed originating from Korean Jeju Island’s native pigs (Cronex) and Micro-pig® (Medi Kinetics). A total 680 body weight (BW) data for the M-Pig® ranging from 0.8 to 63.2 kg BW for 40 animals were collected from birth to 52 weeks of age. A total of 36 BW and age data for the Micro-Pig® ranging from 0.35 to 33.5 kg BW and 0 to 96 weeks, respectively, were obtained from 20 experiments in the literature. Two different nonlinear growth curves models employed in the present work were Gompertz and Logistic models. Estimated BW growth models of M-Pig® as a function of age (week) were: Gompertz model BW, kg = 64.57 × e − 3.21 × e − 0.06 t with R2 = 0.976 and Logistic model BW, kg = 57.94 × (1 + 12.33 × e–0.11t)–1 with R2 = 0.969. Estimated BW growth models of Micro-pig® as a function of age (week) were: Gompertz model BW, kg = 31.47 × e − 2.10 × e − 0.07 t with R2 = 0.793 and Logistic model BW, kg = 30.45 × (1 + 4.76 × e–0.10t)–1 with R2 = 0.775. In conclusion, the BW growth curve of mini-pigs fitted better in Gompertz models than in Logistic models. The growth curves for mini-pigs developed in the present work may be used for BW gain prediction in future research employing mini-pig breeds.