Local Pig Breeds Research Articles

Accuracy of Near Infrared Spectroscopy to Predict Quality of Pork and Pork Products Including Samples of Krškopolje and Turopolje Pigs

14.00 Normal 0 21 false false false SL X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Table Normal; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri,sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} Study demonstrates the preliminary results of the evaluation of pork and pork products of local Slovenian (Krskopolje) and Croatian (Turopolje) pig breeds using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) conducted in the frame of European Union H2020 project TREASURE. For that purpose, samples from meat and products of two local pig breeds were collected, scanned with near infrared spectroscopy apparatus and chemically analysed (for proximate composition, fatty acids composition, proteolysis index, salt content and water activity). Data obtained were added to the database of previously collected samples and prediction models were recalibrated and reassessed. In general, NIRS calibration models are considered to be fit for purpose when the requirements (chemometric parameters) for screening purposes are met. In the present study, the quality of recalibrations using the samples from local pig breeds confirmed practical applicability for majority of studied quality traits. Further efforts are needed to enlarge the database with additional samples from local pig breeds to improve the robustness of the models and to test the calibrations on the independent sets of samples (i.e. with external validation). Normal 0 false false false SL X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Navadna tabela; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri,sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

Local Pig Breeds: Nutritional Requirements, Innovative Practices and Local Feeding Resources as Challenges in Project TREASURE

14.00 800x600 Normal 0 21 false false false HR X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Table Normal; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Times New Roman,serif;} TREASURE is a research and innovation project of European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme which is devoted to traditional genetic resources in pig production with aim to improve their potentials for enhanced use. Studying and improving management of local pig breeds in their production systems is one of the challenges in which we address their performances and nutrition with special attention on locally available feeding resources and innovative practices aiming to improved welfare. For that purpose 15 experiments on 12 breeds were designed in the project, which are hereafter shortly presented. Their concepts and main objectives with some highlights on already available results are described. Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Navadna tabela; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Times New Roman,serif;}

Porcine Y-chromosome variation is consistent with the occurrence of paternal gene flow from non-Asian to Asian populations.

Pigs (Sus scrofa) originated in Southeast Asia and expanded to Europe and North Africa approximately 1 MYA. Analyses of porcine Y-chromosome variation have shown the existence of two main haplogroups that are highly divergent, a result that is consistent with previous mitochondrial and autosomal data showing that the Asian and non-Asian pig populations remained geographically isolated until recently. Paradoxically, one of these Y-chromosome haplogroups is extensively shared by pigs and wild boars from Asia and Europe, an observation that is difficult to reconcile with a scenario of prolonged geographic isolation. To shed light on this issue, we genotyped 33 Y-linked SNPs and one indel in a worldwide sample of pigs and wild boars and sequenced a total of 9903 nucleotide sites from seven loci distributed along the Y-chromosome. Notably, the nucleotide diversity per site at the Y-linked loci (0.0015 in Asian pigs) displayed the same order of magnitude as that described for autosomal loci (~0.0023), a finding compatible with a process of sustained and intense isolation. We performed an approximate Bayesian computation analysis focused on the paternal diversity of wild boars and local pig breeds in which we compared three demographic models: two isolation models (I models) differing in the time of isolation and a model of isolation with recent unidirectional migration (IM model). Our results suggest that the most likely explanation for the extensive sharing of one Y-chromosome haplogroup between non-Asian and Asian populations is a recent and unidirectional (non-Asian > Asian) paternal migration event.

High-Altitude Living Shapes the Skin Microbiome in Humans and Pigs.

While the skin microbiome has been shown to play important roles in health and disease in several species, the effects of altitude on the skin microbiome and how high-altitude skin microbiomes may be associated with health and disease states remains largely unknown. Using 16S rRNA marker gene sequencing, we characterized the skin microbiomes of people from two racial groups (the Tibetans and the Hans) and of three local pig breeds (Tibetan pig, Rongchang pig, and Qingyu pig) at high and low altitudes. The skin microbial communities of low-altitude pigs and humans were distinct from those of high-altitude pigs and humans, with five bacterial taxa (Arthrobacter, Paenibacillus, Carnobacterium, and two unclassified genera in families Cellulomonadaceae and Xanthomonadaceae) consistently enriched in both pigs and humans at high altitude. Alpha diversity was also significantly lower in skin samples collected from individuals living at high altitude compared to individuals at low altitude. Several of the taxa unique to high-altitude humans and pigs are known extremophiles adapted to harsh environments such as those found at high altitude. Altogether our data reveal that altitude has a significant effect on the skin microbiome of pigs and humans.

Sow efficiency and early piglet mortality in two local pig breeds on smallholder farms in northern Vietnam-a longitudinal study.

In the recent past, pig performance and sow management on smallholder farms in the Southeast Asian Massif have been extensively researched. But the objective of this study was to investigate the lifetime efficiency of breeding sows of the local Vietnamese Ban (n=89) and Mong Cai (n=131) breeds in a production system context. The impact of sow longevity was considered in particular. In addition, predictors of early pre-weaning mortality in piglets were investigated. In total, nine villages of Son La province, situated in the uplands of north-western Vietnam, were selected, differing in access to markets, production intensity, and pig management level. Data was collected over a period of 10years through an on-farm performance testing system. It was shown that sows of both breeds that achieved five or more parities farrowed and weaned significantly more piglets per life year compared to sows with only one or two parities. The conception rate (Spearman's rho=0.374) and age at first farrowing (Spearman's rho=-0.424) were significantly correlated with the number of weaned piglets per life year of stayable (≥4 parities) Mong Cai sows. The risk of early pre-weaning death of piglets born to Mong Cai sows was affected more by litter size, while for piglets born to Ban sows, the risk was influenced more by the season. Therefore, interventions to improve the sow lifetime efficiency and piglet survivability must match the sow breed and management level.

Characterization of porcine simple sequence repeat variation on a population scale with genome resequencing data

Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are used as polymorphic molecular markers in many species. They contribute very important functional variations in a range of complex traits; however, little is known about the variation of most SSRs in pig populations. Here, using genome resequencing data, we identified ~0.63 million polymorphic SSR loci from more than 100 individuals. Through intensive analysis of this dataset, we found that the SSR motif composition, motif length, total length of alleles and distribution of alleles all contribute to SSR variability. Furthermore, we found that CG-containing SSRs displayed significantly lower polymorphism and higher cross-species conservation. With a rigorous filter procedure, we provided a catalogue of 16,527 high-quality polymorphic SSRs, which displayed reliable results for the analysis of phylogenetic relationships and provided valuable summary statistics for 30 individuals equally selected from eight local Chinese pig breeds, six commercial lean pig breeds and Chinese wild boars. In addition, from the high-quality polymorphic SSR catalogue, we identified four loci with potential loss-of-function alleles. Overall, these analyses provide a valuable catalogue of polymorphic SSRs to the existing pig genetic variation database, and we believe this catalogue could be used for future genome-wide genetic analysis.

Emergence of novel Seneca Valley virus strains in China, 2017.

Since early 2017, several outbreaks of Seneca Valley virus (SVV) infection have re-emerged in China. We report the identification of novel SVV KS15-01-like strains showing a notable distinction with previous Chinese SVV strains. The determined SVV strains are currently causing new outbreaks in two provinces in China where no SVV infection has been reported previously, implying the increased epidemic regions and potential threat to local pig breeds of SVV in China.

A genomic landscape of mitochondrial DNA insertions in the pig nuclear genome provides evolutionary signatures of interspecies admixture.

Nuclear DNA sequences of mitochondrial origin (numts) are derived by insertion of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), into the nuclear genome. In this study, we provide, for the first time, a genome picture of numts inserted in the pig nuclear genome. The Sus scrofa reference nuclear genome (Sscrofa10.2) was aligned with circularized and consensus mtDNA sequences using LAST software. A total of 430 numt sequences that may represent 246 different numt integration events (57 numt regions determined by at least two numt sequences and 189 singletons) were identified, covering about 0.0078% of the nuclear genome. Numt integration events were correlated (0.99) to the chromosome length. The longest numt sequence (about 11 kbp) was located on SSC2. Six numts were sequenced and PCR amplified in pigs of European commercial and local pig breeds, of the Chinese Meishan breed and in European wild boars. Three of them were polymorphic for the presence or absence of the insertion. Surprisingly, the estimated age of insertion of two of the three polymorphic numts was more ancient than that of the speciation time of the Sus scrofa, supporting that these polymorphic sites were originated from interspecies admixture that contributed to shape the pig genome.

СOMBINATIONAL ABILITY OF SPECIALIZED BREEDS AND TYPES OF PIGS IN INDUSTRIAL CROSSBREEDING

For several decades, widespread industrial crossing different breeds of pigs. However, intensive importation foreign breeding of pig and use foreign technologies, a prerequisite for improving meat and slaughter quality of livestock. Success in solving this problem depends on identifying the best combinations of parental pairs with a comprehensive study of regularities succession and the descendants of preferred breeding traits are determined by genes and polymer characterized by a wide range of variability influenced by environmental conditions. In terms of industrial use of the most successful combinations of lines, genotypes, even a slight increase productivity, ensure, ultimately, significant economic effects.
 The aim of our study was to evaluate the general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining ability fattening and meat quality of pigs and calves landed determine the best options for combinations of parental pairs when crossed.
 Studies were conducted in conditions of industrial technology at without belt dependent concentrations type of feeding and regulated microclimate on the basis of LLB "Mayak-Agro" Cherkassy region. Groups breeder was formed by unique origin, age, physiological condition, body weight. Assessment fattening, meat quality, physical and chemical properties of meat and fat conducted by conventional methods Polivoda AM and else. The morphological composition of carcasses studied by diking corps. The chemical composition and physical properties of meat were determined by conventional methods in condition of biotechnology laboratories Cherkassy National University. B. Khmelnitsky.
 In the first stage crossed sows of Ukrainian large white breed (UVB) with boars Landrace (LA) English selection, and received from them hybrids (hybrids F1) sires with specialized meat breeds: Pietrain (P) British breeding red white girdle (RWG) and Duroc Ukrainian selection “Steppes” (DUSS). It is established that the use of these industrial crossbreeding schemes leading to improved slaughter yield of 4.4 - 8.4% in the carcasses of local groups. Severity of heterosis for slaughter relies was in the range of 0.16 to 1.88%. Combining breeds LA and UVB has increased the length of the carcasses in hybrids by 2.5 cm (P> 0.95) at the lowest standard deviation - 0.14 cm. At the same time, crossing two-hybrids local pig breeds of boars’ P led rather to reduce the carcasses length compared to the original parental forms 2.6 cm (P> 0.95). Regarding mass index posterior third corps tends to increase it to 11.3 - 12.5 kg accurate advantage of using Landrace breeds (P> 0.95) and pietrain (P> 0.999). The fact that the carcasses obtained from pigs combination 1/4UVB x 1/4LA x 1/2P, were significantly shorter and had the largest area "muscle eye" is quite natural and due to the influence of breeds belonging boars. The efficacy of the combination of maternal two-breeds form hybrids with UVB × LA boars pietrain and red white girdle, confirmed the calculated values of general and specific combining ability. When using boars breed red white girdle highest positive effect of general combining ability was observed in terms of area "muscle eye" (4.94) meeting of body (0.93) slaughter yield (0.35). In addition, the use of the scheme for industrial crossing red white girdle helped reduce fat content in carcass and thick bacon (- 1.41 - 0.64). Increasing the length of the carcass at slaughter hogs promoted the use of Duroc Ukrainian selection “Steppes” (1.32) and Landrace (1.08).
 Boars used breeds influenced fattening and greasy meat quality of offspring with different force. Its value depended on the individual animal and breeds consolidation for the identified - from negative 8.49 to positive 6.71% age achieve live weight of 100 kg and from minus 9.34 to positive 6.34% in the average daily increments. Differential power of selective effects on offspring among individual species ranged from (- 9.34) to (+6,71)% (P> 0,999).
 Given the importance of meat quality indicators as signs core products finals pig should always check the structural elements of Ukrainian large white breed on the matching ability. This lets use the best combination to improve performance and avoid unwanted flocks crossbreeds combinations.

English

The objective of this study was to evaluate husbandry practices of pregnant sows, immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration in colostrum of sow from local breed of Benin, their transfer to litter and the survival and growth of piglets until 42 days of age within traditional farms pig. Results showed that sows were raised according to traditional practices characterized by sustainable or precarious housing without any hygiene measures. They were fed with forages and by-products arising from traditional and industrial food-processing. Reproductive performance allowed by these farming practices remained weak. The litter size obtained was 5.5 piglets and was a feature of the small less prolific West African local pig. The observed number of piglets weaned at 42 days of age was 5 and the average mortality rate from birth to 42 days of life was 15%. The piglets were characterized by low average birth weight at 439 g, low average intra-litter weight gain at 24 h (38 g), body weight at 42 days of 2119 g, an Average Daily Gain (ADG) of 40 g/day and a Relative ADG (RADG) of 30 g/day.kg. The mortality was negatively associated (P < 0.05) with the birth weight and the weight gain at 24 h. The weight gain within 0-42 days was positively associated with the birth weight (r = 0.59; P < 0.001). The ADG from 0 to 42 days and from 1-42 days were positively correlated respectively with the birth weight (r = 0.55; P < 0.001) and the weight gain at 24 h (r = 0.41; P < 0.005). Despite weak growth performance of the piglets before weaning, the sows were characterized by adequate IgG concentration in the colostrum collected at 24 h after the onset of parturition (22 mg/ml). However, the serum IgG levels at 7 days of life of the piglets were low (2 mg/ml). Finally, the study demonstrated that sows from local breed produce colostrum with adequate IgG concentration. However, transfer of these antibodies to piglets was low. Feeding of sows with forages may be beneficial in improving the immunological quality of colostrum in local pig breed. Finally, both weight gain at 24 h and birth weight were important to predict survival and growth of suckling piglets. Key words: Sow, colostrum, Immunoglobulin G, local breed, Benin, piglets.

Journal of Bioprocessing &amp; Biotechniques

In the test to select hybrid F1generation of wild boar (wild boar A¢Â™Â‚ × BAM A¢Â™Â€), local pig breeds (BAM and HZP) and YOK were adopted single factor experimental design, under the same nutrient levels, production performance, slaughter performance and meat quality characteristics of different varieties of pigs were studied. The results showed that a daily gain of F1 and BAM were significantly lower than YOK (P<0.05), while daily gain of HZP was significantly lower than another groups (P<0.01), and YOK fed remuneration and lean meat were the highest. Slaughter rate, carcass length, pH, water loss rate, storage loss and muscle fiber diameter of HZP were relatively lower, but meat score and marble texture were relatively higher. From AA and FA contents of the muscle, the pig's main UAA content of HZP was 23.91 g, accounting for 34.50% of the total AA contents, second only to the F1 hybrid, and the content of UFA was the highest, and UFA/SFA was 1.30. Compared with another breeds of pigs, HZP had good meat quality, The compounds which may contribute to the flavor of pork were 3-methyl-1-butanol, 1-nonanal, Octanal, Hexanal, 2-pentyl-furan, 1-penten-3-one, N-morpholinomethyl-isopropyl-sulfide, Methyl butyrate and (E,E)-2,4-decadienal. In conclusion, the volatile compounds in pork belong to several classes and the highest relative amount of volatile compounds was found in BAM.

Effect of cow colostrum on the performance and survival rate of local newborn piglets in Benin Republic.

The effect of bovine colostrum, including its thermally labile compounds, on the survival and growth performance of local breed piglets reared by their mother, in Benin, was evaluated over a 49-day trial. Three groups of 16 piglets, stemming from two primiparous sows belonging to a unique traditional farm, were respectively fed for the first 48h of life with either bovine colostrum heated to 85°C for 30min, or thawed bovine colostrum, or colostrum from the mother. Thereafter, the animals that received bovine colostrum turned back to their mother. At day 21, almost all piglets from the group that received heated colostrum died. The highest total weight gain was obtained in the group that received thawed bovine colostrum (P ˂ 0.01), followed by the group left with the mother. Corresponding average daily gains (ADGs) were 56, 34 and 2g/day, respectively (P ˂ 0.05). At the end of the trial, the treatment effect was highly significant on the survival of piglets (100% in the thawed colostrum group vs. 00 and 50%, respectively, in the heated colostrum group and in the group left with the mother). At day 49, numerically higher weight and ADGs were obtained in the group that received thawed cow colostrum. Thawed bovine colostrum improved the growth performance and piglet survival in the local pig breed in Benin, probably owing to thermally labile components. Bovine colostrum may be used in our farms in order to reduce pre-weaning mortality, improve the profitability of livestock farmers, and ensure survival of traditional farms. The use of bovine colostrum on farms could be facilitated by collaboration between pig farmers and bovine farmers. It could also be facilitated by the creation of a colostrum bank.

First Report of the Occurrence of Trichinella-Specific Antibodies in Domestic Pigs in Central and Eastern Uganda.

Previous research on trichinellosis in Africa focused on isolating Trichinella from wildlife while the role of domestic pigs has remained highly under-researched. Pig keeping in Uganda is historically recent, and evidence on zoonotic pig diseases, including infection with Trichinella species, is scarce. A cross-sectional survey on Trichinella seroprevalence in pigs was conducted in three districts in Central and Eastern Uganda from April 2013 to January 2015. Serum from a random sample of 1125 pigs from 22 villages in Eastern and Central Uganda was examined to detect immunoglobulin G (IgG) against any Trichinella spp. using a commercially available ELISA based on excretory-secretory antigen. ELISA positive samples were confirmed using Western Blot based on somatic antigen of Trichinella spiralis as recommended in previous validation studies. Diaphragm pillar muscle samples (at least 5 g each) of 499 pigs from areas with high ELISA positivity were examined using the artificial digestion method. Overall, 78 of all 1125 animals (6.9%, 95% CI: 5.6–8.6%) tested positive for antibodies against Trichinella spp. in the ELISA at significantly higher levels in Kamuli district compared to Masaka and Mukono districts. Thirty-one percent of the ELISA positive samples were confirmed IgG positive by the Western Blot leading to an overall seroprevalence of 2.1% (95% CI: 1.4–3.2%). The large proportion of ELISA positive samples that could not be confirmed using Western blot may be the result of cross-reactivity with other gastrointestinal helminth infections or unknown host-specific immune response mechanisms in local pig breeds in Uganda. Attempts to isolate muscle larvae for species determination using the artificial digestion method were unsuccessful. Due to the large number of muscle samples examined we are confident that even if pigs are infected, the larval burden in pork is too low to pose a major risk to consumers of developing trichinellosis. This was the first large systematic field investigation of Trichinella infection in domestic pigs in Uganda and its results imply that further studies are needed to identify the Trichinella species involved, and to identify potential sources of infection for humans.

Identification of microRNAs regulating Escherichia coli F18 infection in Meishan weaned piglets.

Background Escherichia coli F18 is mainly responsible for post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) in piglets. The molecular regulation of E. coli F18 resistance in Chinese domestic weaned piglets is still obscure. We used Meishan piglets as model animals to test their susceptibility to E. coli F18. Small RNA duodenal libraries were constructed for E. coli F18-sensitive and -resistant weaned piglets challenged with E. coli F18 and sequenced using Illumina Solexa high-throughput sequencing technology.ResultsSequencing results showed that 3,475,231 and 37,198,259 clean reads were obtained, with 311 known miRNAs differently expressed in resistant and sensitive groups, respectively. Twenty-four miRNAs, including 15 up-regulated and 9 down-regulated, demonstrated more than a 2-fold differential expression between the F18-resistant and -sensitive piglets. Stem-loop RT-qPCR showed that miR-136, miR-196b, miR-499-5p and miR-218-3p significantly expressed in intestinal tissue (p < 0.05). KEGG pathway analysis for target genes revealed that differently expressed miRNAs were involved in infectious diseases, signal transduction and immune system pathways. Interestingly, the expression of miR-218-3p in intestinal tissue had a very significant negative correlation with target DLG5 (P < 0.01).ConclusionsBased on the expression correlation between miRNA and target genes analysis, we speculate that miR-218-3p targeting to DLG5, appears to be very promising candidate for miRNAs involved in response to E. coli F18 infection. The present study provides improved database information on pig miRNAs, better understanding of the genetic basis of E. coli F18 resistance in local Chinese pig breeds and lays a new foundation for identifying novel markers of E. coli F18 resistance.ReviewersThis article was reviewed by Neil R Smalheiser and Weixiong Zhang.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13062-016-0160-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The association of haplotypes in IGFBP-3 gene promoter region and tissue expressions in three pig breeds

ABSTRACTBama Xiang pig (BM) and Tibetan mini-pig (TM) are used as experimental animals in China; however, the dwarf molecular mechanisms of these Chinese local pig breeds are unknown. IGFBP-3 affects animal growth, carcass and meat quality. The aim of this study was to identify the polymorphisms in the promoter of the IGFBP-3 and analyse their effect on the IGFBP-3 mRNA expression level in liver and muscle tissues. High-density single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (31) and InDels (5) were detected in the promoter of the IGFBP-3 in the BM, TM and Junmu No. 1 White (JM, control) pig breeds from 114 individuals by re-sequencing. A perfect Linkage disequilibrium consisted of 13 SNPs was observed in the promoter region and 2 main haplotypes were identified, of which the h1 genotype (GCA-ATGTACATAT) was more prevalent in JM breed than in TM or BM breeds (P < .0001), h2 (ATGTGCACG--CGC) was the dominant haplotype in TM and BM breeds (P < .0001). Expression analysis showed that haplotype of the promoter region is highly associated with the IGFBP-3 mRNA expression level in liver and muscle tissues of pigs. The IGFBP-3 mRNA expression level was determined higher in the liver and muscle tissues of pigs with h2 genotype as compared to that in pigs with h1 genotype (P < .05). The results suggest that the SNPs and haplotypes in the promoter of the IGFBP-3 gene may serve as useful molecular markers for the body growth traits and the breeding in swine.

P4033 Characterization and diversity analysis of European local pig breeds and production systems under Treasure project framework

P4033 Characterization and diversity analysis of European local pig breeds and production systems under Treasure project framework

Pig farming in rural South Africa: A case study of uThukelaDistrict in KwaZulu-Natal

We assessed the status of pig farming and its contribution to the livelihoods of rural households in the study area. Snowball sampling was used to sample respondents (n=533), and data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. The majority (62%) of respondents were females over 46 years of age. Most respondents (62%) had no schooling or had only attended primary school. Male respondents reared significantly (p &lt; 0.05) larger herds. Respondents who had secondary school education tended to rear significantly (p &lt; 0.05) larger herds. The few respondents (1%) who held formal jobs tended to rear significantly (p &lt; 0.05) larger herds. Livestock contributed less (10%) to household income compared to government grants that contributed 47.3%. More than half of respondents (63%) kept pigs for household consumption, while only 33% reared pigs as a source of income. Respondents still reared local pig breeds, and fed their pigs predominantly on swill (81%). Very few respondents had been exposed to training on pig rearing. Most pigs are slaughtered locally and sold mainly at social grant pay points on days when grants are paid out. The potential of pigs to support rural households has not been fully exploited in the study area. There is a need for skills transfer to limit the risks associated with feeding swill and poor animal husbandry practices. Meat inspection services are needed to limit the risk of diseases like cysticercosis.

Population structure and genome characterization of local pig breeds in Russia, Belorussia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.

BackgroundIt is generally accepted that domestication of pigs took place in multiple locations across Eurasia; the breeds that originated in Europe and Asia have been well studied. However, the genetic structure of pig breeds from Russia, Belorussia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine, which represent large geographical areas and diverse climatic zones in Eurasia, remains largely unknown.ResultsThis study provides the first genomic survey of 170 pigs representing 13 breeds from Russia, Belorussia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine; 288 pigs from six Chinese and seven European breeds were also included for comparison. Our findings show that the 13 novel breeds tested derived mainly from European pigs through the complex admixture of Large White, Landrace, Duroc, Hampshire and other breeds, and that they display no geographic structure based on genetic distance. We also found a considerable Asian contribution to the miniature Siberian pigs (Minisib breed) from Russia. Apart from the Minisib, Urzhum, Ukrainian Spotted Steppe and Ukrainian White Steppe breeds, which may have undergone intensive inbreeding, the breeds included in this study showed relatively high genetic diversity and low levels of homozygosity compared to the Chinese indigenous pig breeds.ConclusionsThis study provides the first genomic overview of the population structure and genetic diversity of 13 representative pig breeds from Russia, Belorussia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine; this information will be useful for the preservation and management of these breeds.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12711-016-0196-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Identification of Copy Number Variations in Xiang and Kele Pigs.

Xiang and Kele pigs are two well-known local Chinese pig breeds that possess rich genetic resources and have enormous economic and scientific value. We performed a comprehensive genomic analysis of the copy number variations (CNVs) in these breeds. CNVs are one of the most important forms of genomic variation and have profound effects on phenotypic variation. In this study, PorcineSNP60 genotyping data from 98 Xiang pigs and 22 Kele pigs were used to identify CNVs. In total, 172 candidate CNV regions (CNVRs) were identified, ranging from 3.19 kb to 8175.26 kb and covering 80.41 Mb of the pig genome. Approximately 56.40% (97/172) of the CNVRs overlapped with those identified in seven previous studies, and 43.60% (75/172) of the identified CNVRs were novel. Of the identified CNVRs, 82 (47 gain, 33 loss, and two gain-loss events that covered 4.58 Mb of the pig genome) were found only in a Xiang population with a large litter size. In contrast, 13 CNVRs (8 gain and 5 loss events) were unique to a Xiang population with small litter sizes, and 30 CNVRs (14 loss and 16 gain events) were unique to Kele pigs. The CNVRs span approximately 660 annotated Sus scrofa genes that are significantly enriched for specific biological functions, such as sensory perception, cognition, reproduction, ATP biosynthetic processes, and neurological processes. Many CNVR-associated genes, particularly the genes involved in reproductive traits, differed between the Xiang populations with large and small litter sizes, and these genes warrant further investigation due to their importance in determining the reproductive performance of Xiang pigs. Our results provide meaningful information about genomic variation, which may be useful in future assessments of the associations between CNVs and important phenotypes in Xiang and Kele pigs to ultimately help protect these rare breeds.

Expression of myogenes in longissimus dorsi muscle during prenatal development in commercial and local Piau pigs.

This study used qRT-PCR to examine variation in the expression of 13 myogenes during muscle development in four prenatal periods (21, 40, 70 and 90 days post-insemination) in commercial (the three-way Duroc, Landrace and Large-White cross) and local Piau pig breeds that differ in muscle mass. There was no variation in the expression of the CHD8, EID2B, HIF1AN, IKBKB, RSPO3, SOX7 and SUFU genes at the various prenatal ages or between breeds. The MAP2K1 and RBM24 genes showed similar expression between commercial and Piau pigs but greater expression (p < 0.05) in at least one prenatal period. Pair-wise comparisons of prenatal periods in each breed showed that only the CSRP3, LEF1, MRAS and MYOG genes had higher expression (p < 0.05) in at least one prenatal period in commercial and Piau pigs. Overall, these results identified the LEF1 gene as a primary candidate to account for differences in muscle mass between the pig breeds since activation of this gene may lead to greater myoblast fusion in the commercial breed compared to Piau pigs. Such fusion could explain the different muscularity between breeds in the postnatal periods.