Abstract
The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for litter size of Black Slavonian pigs using the repeatability, multiple trait, and random regression models, and to consider the possibility to increase litter size in Black Slavonian pigs by selection. A total of 4733 litter records from the first to the sixth parity from sows that farrowed between January 1998 and December 2010 were included in the analysis. Individual record consisted of the following variables: breeding organisation (eight regions), parity (1-6), service boar, and farrowing season (month-year interaction). Estimation of all the covariance components with three different models was based on the residual maximum likelihood method. Estimate of additive genetic variance and heritability for number of piglets born alive with repeatability model was 0.23 and 0.10, respectively. Estimates of additive genetic variance with multiple trait and random regression model were in a wider range from 0.05 to 0.65 across parities, and heritabilities were estimated in the range between 0.03 and 0.26. Estimates of phenotypic and additive genetic correlations were much smoother with random regression model in comparison with multiple trait model. Due to unexpected changes of variances along trajectory obtained with multiple trait and random regression model, the best option for genetic evaluation of litter size for now could be the use of repeatability model. With increasing number of data with proper data structure alternative modelling of litter size of Black Slavonian pig using multiple trait and random regression model could be taken into consideration.
Highlights
Black Slavonian pig is a Croatian autochthonous breed developed at the end of the 19th century
Due to the introduction of modern breeds Black Slavonian breed became less and less used up to the point of facing extinction in the middle of 1990s when the number of animals was reduced to only 60 sows and five boars (Uremović et al, 2000)
Data for this study were obtained from the Croatian Agricultural Agency
Summary
Black Slavonian pig is a Croatian autochthonous breed developed at the end of the 19th century. Since the year 1996 population of Black Slavonian pigs started to increase, primarily due to the state subsidies and the efforts of individual pig breeders. During this period animal performance database for reproduction traits of Black Slavonian pigs was established to provide information for management and selection. In the last few years, population of Black Slavonian pigs increased to more than 900 sows and 120 boars (Croatian Agricultural Agency, 2013), which opens a possibility to renew breeding programme for this local breed and to determine genetic parameters for litter size as one of the most important traits in pig breeding
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