Pigs Of Large White Breed Research Articles

Transcriptome profiling of longissimus dorsi during different prenatal stages to identify genes involved in intramuscular fat deposition in lean and obese pig breeds

BackgroundThere was significant difference in muscle development between fat-type and lean-type pig breeds.Methods and resultsIn current study, transcriptome analysis and bioinformatics analysis were used to compare the difference in longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle at three time-points (38 days post coitus (dpc), 58 dpc, and 78 dpc ) between Huainan (HN) and Large white (LW) pig breeds. A total of 24500 transcripts were obtained in 18 samples, and 2319, 2799, and 3713 differently expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between these two breeds at 38 dpc, 58 dpc, and 78 dpc, respectively. And the number and foldchange of DEGs were increased, the alternative splice also increased. The cluster analysis of DEGs indicated the embryonic development progress of LD muscle between these two breeds was different. There were 539 shared DEGs between HN and LW at three stages, and the top-shared DEGs were associated with muscle development and lipid deposition, such as KLF4, NR4A1, HSP70, ZBTB16 and so on.ConclusionsThe results showed DEGs between Huainan (HN) and Large white (LW) pig breeds, and contributed to the understanding the muscle development difference between HN and LW, and provided basic materials for improvement of meat quality.

Retroviral Insertion Polymorphism (RIP) of Porcine Endogenous Retroviruses (PERVs) in Pig Genomes.

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are one of the superfamilies of long terminal repeat retrotransposons (LTRs) in mice and humans. Approximately 8% of the pig genome is composed of sequences derived from LTRs. While the majority of ERVs in pigs have decayed, a small number of full-length copies can still mobilize within the genome. This study investigated the unexplored retroviral insertion polymorphisms (RIPs) generated by the mobilization of full-length ERVs (Fl-ERVs), and evaluated their impact on phenotypic variation to gain insights into the biological role of Fl-ERVs in pigs. Overall, 39 RIPs (insertions or deletions relative to the pig reference genome) generated by Fl-ERVs were predicted by comparative genomic analysis, and 18 of them were confirmed by PCR detection. Four RIP sites (D5, D14, D15, and D18) were further evaluated by population analysis, and all of them displayed polymorphisms in multiple breeds. The RIP site of ERV-D14, which is a Fl-ERV inserted in the STAB2-like gene, was further confirmed by sequencing. Population analysis of the polymorphic site of ERV-D14 reveals that it presents moderate polymorphism information in the Large White pig breed, and the association analysis reveals that the RIP of ERV-D14 is associated with age variations at 30 kg body weight (p < 0.05) and 100 kg body weight (p < 0.01) in the population of Large White pigs (N = 480). Furthermore, the ERV-D14 RIP is associated with changes in the expression of the target gene STAB2-like in the liver, backfat, and leaf fat in Sushan pigs. These data suggest that some Fl-ERVs are still mobilizing in the pig's genome, and contribute to genomic and phenotypic variations.

Morpho-biochemical parameters of blood and antioxidant protection of the body of repair pigs using natural metabolites

The authors conducted experiments to study the effect of natural metabolites fed to repair pigs in the last three months before insemination on their growth, changes in their live weight, the chemical composition of milk and the content of immunoglobulins in it, as well as morphological and biochemical blood compositions, protein, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in pregnant and suckling sows. Four groups of repair pigs were formed for research white breed (control and three experimental) at the age of 6 months, 20 heads each, which were kept in separate machines. The control group received the basic diet, without additives. The pigs of the experimental groups were fed natural metabolites from the sixth to the ninth month inclusive. The animals of the I experimental group were fed organic selenium (Selenium) as part of the compound feed – 0.3 kg / t of feed, II experimental group – succinic acid at the rate of 20 mg / kg of live weight (frequency of 10 days), III experimental group - Carolin preparation (beta-carotene oil solution) – 15 ml / head per day. At the ages of 6.5 and 9 months, 5 pigs from each group had blood taken from the ear vein in the morning before feeding for research. The object of research was repair pigs of large white breed and Krasnodar meat type. Feeding of animals both in this experiment and subsequent ones was carried out taking into account detailed feeding standards. The composition and nutritional value of the diets were calculated using the «Kormoptimaexpert» program.

Отечественный ферментный препарат в комбикормах для молодняка свиней на откорме

Abstract. Rational organization of feeding is always one of the decisive factors for achieving high productivity of animals. An important task of modern pig breeding is to reduce costs by increasing the digestibility of digested feed nutrients by the animal's body. One of the significant ways that are necessary to solve the task can be considered the additional inclusion of biologically active substances in the composition of animal feed for farm animals, namely modern enzyme preparations of a new generation. The animal body needs them to increase the digestibility of nutrients coming from the feed. The purpose is to study the effect of “Feedbest P5000 GT” enzyme preparation as part of compound feeds on the growth, development and feed costs of fattened young pigs. Methods. In order to achieve this goal, a scientific and economic experiment was conducted on young pigs of large white breed aged from 60 to 210 days. For the experiment, 4 groups of young pigs of 12 heads each were formed according to the principle of analog groups, taking into account breed, gender, age, and live weight. The animals are kept in groups. To determine the effectiveness of “Feedbest P5000 GT” for the growth and development of fattened young pigs, weighings were carried out every thirty days and animal measurements were taken, in addition, the consumption of feed and residues for the next day was taken into account. The composition of compound feeds enriched with “Feedbest P5000 GT” enzyme preparation during the experiment allowed to increase the growth, development and reduce the cost of compound feed per unit of production of fattened young pigs. Results. The use of “Feedbest P5000 GT” enzyme preparation in compound feeds made it possible to increase the average daily live weight gain of young pigs by 4.8 %, 9.3 % and 6.8 %, to obtain a reduction in feed costs by 4.7 %, 8.6 % and 6.5 % compared with the young pigs of the control group. The best indicators were found in animals of the second experimental group, where the studied enzyme preparation in the amount of 90 g/t was additionally introduced into the compound feed. Scientific novelty. For the first time, studies have been conducted to determine the optimal dose of the enzyme preparation “Feedbest P5000 GT” in compound feeds for young pigs. The effect of the drug on growth, development and feed costs has been studied.

Meat productivity of pigs when using vegetable oils in diets

When a low fat content in grain feed, pigs lack energy, unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic, linolenic, arachidonic), which play the role of biocatalysts in the body. With a shortage of fats, the growth of animals, especially young animals, slows down. The purpose of the work was to study the meat productivity of pigs when using vegetable oils in their diets. The results of the study of the chemical parameters of meat indicate that the quality of pork was due to the eff ect of adding oil to the diet in diff erent amounts, because under the same conditions of housing and feeding diff erent values of individual qualitative indicators were obtained. In animals of the 1st experimental group (1,0 % soybean oil) of Large White breed compared with animals of the control group, an increased content of total moisture in the muscle tissue by 0,46 abs.% was noted and in crossbreds by 0,37 abs.%, which indicated the best technological qualities of meat and less losses during cooking. The muscle tissue of pigs of the 1st experimental group in purebred and crossbred pigs contained 2,22 abs.% more fat than in the control group. There was more fat in the control group than in the 2nd experimental group by 1,60 abs.%. Pork in the 1st experimental groups both purebred and crossbred pigs due to the higher content of soy oil in the diet had a better organoleptic evaluation. The expediency of using vegetable oil when feeding young pigs of Large White breed and its crossbreds has been revealed. At the same time, the best results were noted when 1,0 % soybean oil was included in the compound feed. The dosage in the amount of 0,5 % soybean oil did not give positive results compared with the same dosage of sunfl ower oil in compound feed for the control group.

CYP24A1 is associated with fetal mummification in pigs

Mummified piglets are among the leading causes of fertility loss and severely hamper reproductive performance in pigs. However, the contributions of genomic variation to the emergence of mummified piglets (MUM) have rarely been studied. This study aims to (1) elucidate the genetic architecture of MUM in sows of parity 1 - 3 using a single-step genome-wide association study (ssGWAS). The ssGWAS involved genotyping-by-sequencing of Large White and Landrace pig breeds. (2) Explore the biological role of the candidate genes at the cellular level. A total of 185 and 48 genome-wide significant SNPs are associated with MUM in Large White and Landrace pigs, explaining 0.01–36.52% genetic variance for different significant loci, respectively. All the significant SNPs are parity-specific, and the numerous, consecutive significant loci likely generated the nine significant peaks in different parities. Multiple candidate genes (including CYP24A1, FBXO30, and ARHGEF28) are associated with fetal congenital and maternal diseases. Collectively, CYP24A1 regulation contributes to steady-state levels of embryo development genes. CYP24A1 is involved in reproduction and, immune and gestational disorders. Thus, it is associated with known newborn death traits and MUM in Large White sows. Altogether, these results improve the current understanding of the genetic architecture of MUM and expand the knowledge on genetic variations for selecting against mummified piglets in pig breeding.

Metabolite and Proteomic Profiling of Serum Reveals the Differences in Molecular Immunity between Min and Large White Pig Breeds.

Pig diseases seriously threaten the health of pigs and the benefits of pig production. Previous research has indicated that Chinese native pigs, such as the Min (M) pig, has a better disease resistance ability than Large White (LW) pigs. However, the molecular mechanism of this resistance is still unclear. In our study, we used serum untargeted metabolomics and proteomics, interrogated to characterize differences in the molecular immunities between six resistant and six susceptible pigs raised in the same environment. A total of 62 metabolites were identified as being significantly exhibited in M and LW pigs. Ensemble feature selection (EFS) machine learning methods were used to predict biomarkers of metabolites and proteins, and the top 30 were selected and retained. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) confirmed that four key metabolites, PC (18:1 (11 Z)/20:0), PC (14:0/P-18: 0), PC (18:3 (6 Z, 9 Z, 12 Z)/16:0), and PC (16:1 (9 Z)/22:2 (13 Z, 16 Z)), were significantly associated with phenotypes, such as cytokines, and different pig breeds. Correlation network analysis showed that 15 proteins were significantly correlated with the expression of both cytokines and unsaturated fatty acid metabolites. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) co-location analysis results showed that 13 of 15 proteins co-localized with immune or polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-related QTL. Moreover, seven of them co-localized with both immune and PUFA QTLs, including proteasome 20S subunit beta 8 (PSMB8), mannose binding lectin 1 (MBL1), and interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein (IL1RAP). These proteins may play important roles in regulating the production or metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids and immune factors. Most of the proteins could be validated with parallel reaction monitoring, which suggests that these proteins may play an essential role in producing or regulating unsaturated fatty acids and immune factors to cope with the adaptive immunity of different pig breeds. Our study provides a basis for further clarifying the disease resistance mechanism of pigs.

Enzyme with phytase activity in compound feed for young pigs on fattening

One of the decisive factors for achieving high productivity of animals is the rational organization of feeding. At the same time the priority task of domestic pig breeding is to reduce expenditures by increasing the digestibility of feed nutrients and improving their digestibility. The inclusion of enzyme drugs in the compound feed is one of the most important conditions necessary in solving this problem. In the body of animals, they are necessary to increase the digestibility of feed nutrients. The purpose of the research was to study the eff ect of the enzyme drug Feedbest P5000 GT as part of compound feeds on the growth and development of young pigs on fattening, as well as the determination of expenditure of feed. In order to achieve this purpose, a scientifi c and economic experiment was carried out. The studies were conducted on young pigs of Large White breed aged from 60 to 210 days. Four groups of pigs of 12 heads in each were formed according to the principle of analog groups. Pigs of all groups were in the same conditions of feeding and housing. In order to identify the eff ect of the tested enzyme drug on the growth and development of experimental animals, they weighed and took measurements every 30 days of rearing, taking into account the consumption of compound feed and their residue for the next day. It has been established that the use of the enzyme drug Feedbest P5000 GT as part of compound feeds for young pigs on fattening contributes to the growth, development and reduction of expenditures of feed per unit of production of young pigs. The best indicators were obtained in the 2nd experimental group, where the tested enzyme drug in the amount of 90 g/t of compound feed was additionally added to the compound feed.

Growth and development of piglets depending on their live weight at birth

Relevance. The main task in organizing the feeding of suckling piglets is habituation early to feed and supplements, as well as the prevention of diarrhea and anemia. Up to 2 months of age is the most important period in the life of a piglet. The need of piglets for nutrients up to 3 weeks of age is usually met by sow milk, but from the first days of life they need additional nutrients, which must be given in the form of supplements.Methods. Experimental studies were conducted on pigs of Large white breed. For scientific research, 5 sows were selected at their 2nd and 3rd farrowing with 10–12 piglets, covered with one hog-producer (Miron-149, age 42 months, live weight 317 kg. The zoohygenic parameters of the indoor microclimate were maintained. Pigs of all groups were in the same conditions of feeding and maintenance, and they were fed compound feed in accordance with the developed recipes.Results. As a result of the research, it was revealed that with an increase in the age of sows increase their prolificacy, milk yield and nest weight on the 30th day and at 2 months of age. By milk yield the difference between sows of the first and fifth farrowing was 5.3 kg (P &lt; 0.001), by nest weight at the age of 2 months — 16.6 kg (P &lt; 0.001). The livability of piglets after the first and second farrowing was 89%, the third — 90%, the fourth and fifth farrowing — 96 and 95%. In all studied periods of development piglets with a larger live weight at birth were distinguished by a high absolute increase in live weight.

ACTIVITY OF SERUM ENZYMES OF YOUNG PIGS OF DIFFERENT GENOTYPES BY MELANOCORTIN RECEPTOR GENE (MC4R) AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH FATTENING AND MEAT QUALITIES

The article is devoted to studying the activity of serum enzymes, fattening, and meat qualities of young pigs of different genotypes by the melanocortin receptor gene MC4R, calculating the level of correlation between traits, and economic efficiency of research results. The experimental part of the research was carried out in the agricultural formations of the Dnipropetrovsk region, the Research Center for Biosafety and Environmental Control of Agricultural Resources of the Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University, the Genetics Laboratory of the Institute of Pig Breeding and Agricultural Production of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine and the Laboratory of Animal Husbandry of the State Institution “Institute of Grain Crops of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences”. The work was carried out by the research program of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine No. 30, ” Innovative Technologies of Breeding, Industrial and Organic Production of Pig Products,” task “To develop a local system of selection and hybridization of pigs using modern genetic methods (DNA markers)”. Laboratory studies and the results of control fattening indicate that the biochemical parameters of blood serum (activity of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase) of young pigs of large white breed of the controlled population correspond to the physiological norm of clinically healthy animals, and according to the leading indicators of fattening and meat qualities (age of reaching body weight of 100 kg, days; fat thickness at the level of 6-7 thoracic vertebrae, mm; length of chilled carcass, cm) belongs to class I and class elite. Analysis of the data of control fattening and slaughter shows that young pigs of the second experimental group (MC4RAG) are superior to their peers of I (MC4RAA) in terms of average daily weight gain, age of body weight100 кг, fat thickness at the level of 6-7 thoracic vertebrae and length of chilled carcass by an average of 4.58%. Several significant associations between interior parameters (aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, units/l; alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, unit/l), fattening and meat qualities of young pigs of the controlled population is 28.57 %. This indicates the possibility of using interior indicators for early prediction of fattening and meat qualities of young pigs. The maximum increase in additional production was obtained from young pigs of the second experimental group (MC4RAG) – +3.24 %, and its cost, which was obtained from the sale of one head of young pigs of the specified genotype is equal to +261.56 UAH or +6.62 USD.

Hygienic justification of use absorbent Polyphan-K when growing piglets

The introduction of intensive livestock production technologies involves a significant concentration of livestock in a limited area, which contributes to the spread of conditionally pathogenic and pathogenic microflora and, as a result, the occurrence of diseases of farm animals. Therefore, it is necessary to develop highly efficient disinfection means to ensure a stable veterinary well -being of livestock, the efficiency of which should be investigated at the stage of development and selection of substances, since a significant number of currently now proposed disinfectants are toxic, immunosuppressive and have a distant impact on the body. The search for new, more effective and harmless disinfectants, especially complex disinfectants, has been and remains a topical problem of modern veterinary medicine. The materials of this article highlights the issues of substantiating the use of polyfhan absorbent in the process of growing pigs of large white breed of different sexual groups. For the first time, the normalizing effect of polyfhan absorbent on the microclimate indoors for growing pigs, their natural resistance, the intensity of body weight gain and the development of piglets and the development of erythropoiesis and metabolic processes in tissues, which have a positive effect on the conservation and intensity At a certain optimal dose of use- 50 g/m² of area, once a day for 7 days of the postnatal period. The use of the polyfan-K absorbent at a dose of 20-100 g/m² does not cause any side effects, but instead the conservation of pigs increases to 95-98 %, and weight gain increases by 18.8 %.The positive effect of the absorbent of Polyfan-K in production conditions on natural resistance of piglets gives reason to recommend its use in the process of growing pigs. The material of the presented studies is presented in «Recommendations for the use of the absorbent of Polyfan-K for growing pigs». Key words: pig farming, piglets, hygienic justification, conditions of keeping, disinfectant, natural resistance, metabolic processes, preservation, growth intensity.

Morphological and biochemical blood parameters of piglets feeding the feed additive “activo”

It has been established that the blood test is one of the quick methods of assessing the physiological state of the body under the action of exogenous stimuli, what is important when testing new feed additives in pig feeding. Studies of morphological blood parameters showed that feeding young pigs with starter feed with feed additive “Activo” helped to increase the red blood cells and hemoglobin level. Thus, the hemoglobin content in the blood of pigs of the second group increased by 7.5 % compared to the control. The difference between the control and experimental groups for red blood cells was highly significant (P &lt; 0.001) in favor of the latter. The content of leukocytes and eosinophils in the blood of young animals of the experimental group increased in comparison with the same parameter of control group, while the content of bacillary and segmented granulocytes and monocytes is insignificantly reduced or at the control level. Biochemical parameters of blood showed that in experimental animals the content of total protein increased by 19.4 %, albumin by 11.1 %, globulins by 3.07 %. These results were obtained as a result of scientific and economic experiment on two groups-analogues of young large white breed pigs of PIC genetics, 25 animals each. The initial live weight of piglets was 12 kg. The starting feed of piglets consisted of barley stubble – 28 %, wheat – 29.79 %, corn – 15 %, soybean oilcake – 22.91 %, premix “Nutrimin” – 4.3 %. During the main period of the experiment, the animals of the experimental group received the feed additive “Activo” in the amount of 0.2 kg t, which was produced by the German company EW Nutrition GmBH. The level of feeding provided average daily gains by groups within the following limits: 562 and 621 g respectively control and experimental groups. The average daily weight gain of young pigs of the second group was higher than the control group by 52 g, or 9.14 % (P ˂ 0.001). Accordingly, the absolute gain in these animals increases by 1.4 kg. Feed conversion rate per 1 kg of gain decreased by 0.18, or 8.5 % (P &lt; 0.001) comparing to the first.

Integrated Proteotranscriptomics Reveals Differences in Molecular Immunity between Min and Large White Pig Breeds.

Long-term selection or evolution is an important factor governing the development of disease resistance in pigs. To better clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying different levels of disease resistance, we used transcriptomics and proteomics analysis to characterize differences in the immunities between six resistant (Min pig) and six susceptible (Large White, LW) pigs which were raised in the same environment. A total of 135 proteins and 791 genes were identified as being differentially expressed between the Large White and Min pig groups. Protein expression clustering and functional analysis revealed that proteins related to immune system process, humoral immune response, the B cell receptor signaling pathway, lymphocyte-mediated immunity, and innate immune responses were more highly expressed in Min pigs. Transcriptome gene set enrichment analysis was used to reveal that pathways of cell adhesion molecules and antigen processing and presentation are significantly enriched in Min pigs. Integrated proteomics and transcriptomics data analysis identified 16 genes that are differentially expressed at both the mRNA and protein levels. In addition, 13 out of these 16 genes were related to the quantitative trait loci of immune diseases, including neural EGFL-like 2 (NELL2) and lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB), which are involved in innate immunity. Correlation analysis between the genes/proteins and cytokines shows upregulated proteins in LW pigs in association with immunosuppressive/pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL) 10, IL6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. This was further validated using parallel reaction monitoring analysis. In summary, we discovered several potential candidate pathways and key genes/proteins involved in determining differences in disease resistance between the two studied pig breeds, which could provide new insights into the breeding of pigs for disease resistance.

Effective Quality Breeding Directions-Comparison and Conservative Analysis of Hepatic Super-Enhancers between Chinese and Western Pig Breeds.

The transcriptional initiation of genes is closely bound to the functions of cis-regulatory elements, including promoters, typical enhancers (TEs), and recently-identified super-enhancers (SEs). In this study, we identified these cis-regulatory elements in the livers of two Chinese (Meishan and Enshi Black) and two Western (Duroc and Large White) pig breeds using ChIP-seq data, then explored their similarities and differences. In addition, we analyzed the conservation of SEs among different tissues and species (pig, human, and mouse). We observed that SEs were more significantly enriched by transcriptional initiation regions, TF binding sites, and SNPs than other cis-elements. Western breeds included fewer SEs in number, while more growth-related QTLs were associated with these SEs. Additionally, the SEs were highly tissue-specific, and were conserved in the liver among humans, pigs, and mice. We concluded that intense selection could concentrate functional SEs; thus, SEs could be applied as effective detection regions in genomic selection breeding.

Morphological and biochemical blood parameters of piglets feeding the feed additive “activo”

It has been established that the blood test is one of the quick methods of assessing the physiological state of the body under the action of exogenous stimuli, what is important when testing new feed additives in pig feeding. Studies of morphological blood parameters showed that feeding young pigs with starter feed with feed additive “Activo” helped to increase the red blood cells and hemoglobin level. Thus, the hemoglobin content in the blood of pigs of the second group increased by 7.5 % compared to the control. The difference between the control and experimental groups for red blood cells was highly significant (P &lt; 0.001) in favor of the latter. The content of leukocytes and eosinophils in the blood of young animals of the experimental group increased in comparison with the same parameter of control group, while the content of bacillary and segmented granulocytes and monocytes is insignificantly reduced or at the control level. Biochemical parameters of blood showed that in experimental animals the content of total protein increased by 19.4 %, albumin by 11.1 %, globulins by 3.07 %. These results were obtained as a result of scientific and economic experiment on two groups-analogues of young large white breed pigs of PIC genetics, 25 animals each. The initial live weight of piglets was 12 kg. The starting feed of piglets consisted of barley stubble – 28 %, wheat – 29.79 %, corn – 15 %, soybean oilcake – 22.91 %, premix “Nutrimin” – 4.3 %. During the main period of the experiment, the animals of the experimental group received the feed additive “Activo” in the amount of 0.2 kg t, which was produced by the German company EW Nutrition GmBH. The level of feeding provided average daily gains by groups within the following limits: 562 and 621 g respectively control and experimental groups. The average daily weight gain of young pigs of the second group was higher than the control group by 52 g, or 9.14 % (P ˂ 0.001). Accordingly, the absolute gain in these animals increases by 1.4 kg. Feed conversion rate per 1 kg of gain decreased by 0.18, or 8.5 % (P &lt; 0.001) comparing to the first.

Economics and effect of replacing wheat offal with cassava peel meal on growth performance, nutrient digestibility of growing pigs

This study was carried out to determine the feeding value of Cassava Peel Meal (CPM) as replacement for wheat offal in growing pigs’ diets. Five treatment diets were formulated by replacing wheat offal with CPM at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% for treatments T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively. A total of 75 growing pigs of large white breed were allotted on weight equalization basis into the five dietary treatments with 15 pigs per treatment and 3 pigs per replicate in a completely randomized design. The pigs were allowed to acclimatize for two weeks before the commencement of the study which lasted for 14 weeks. Results indicated that wheat offal contained 16.25% crude protein (CP), 18.86% crude fibre (CF) and 1.18% ether extract. The values were higher than cassava peel meal’s 5.18% CP and 15.18% CF and was lower than 1.99% ether extract. The 25, 50, 75% CPM significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased final live weight, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio compared to 100% CPM. There was no significant (p&gt;0.05) difference in feed intake. Total feed cost/Kg, feed cost/Kg weight gain and returns on investment significantly (p&lt;0.05) decreased as the levels of cassava peel meal increased in the diets. The bled, scalded, eviscerated and dressed weights decreased as the level of CPM increased in the diets. The heart weight increased with the CPM level, while the liver and the kidney decreased with increase in CPM in the diets. Blood glucose and cholesterol increased with increasing levels of cassava peel meal in the diets while albumin and creatinine decreased as the level of cassava peel meal increased in the diets. The packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cell (RBC) counts decreased (p&lt;0.05) as the level of cassava peel meal increased in the diets. White blood cell (WBC) and lymphocyte values were highest for pigs in T3 (50%) and T4 (75%). The study concluded that cassava peel meal could replace 75% of wheat offal in growing pig diets without deleterious effects on growth performance and economic benefit in terms of total feed cost, cost per kilogram and weight gain. Key words: Blood serum, cassava peel, carcass, haemotology, returns on investment

Morphofunctional changes in some internal organs during domestication of pigs

Aim. To identify the phylogenetic changes of the evolutionary process in the historical aspect of pig domestication. Domestication is the process of phylogenetic transformation of wild animals into domestic animals. The main role in this process belongs to artificial selection, especially its destabilizing form. Undoubtedly, as a result of destabilizing form of selection, wide phenotypic variation appears in domesticated pig populations. Methods. Using archaeological, morphological, biochemical, genetic and zootechnical methods of investigation, we were able to establish morphological features of some internal organs in connection with domestication of pigs. Results. In studying pig evolution, the European Wild Boar (Sus scrofa ferus) was the direct object of our studies in comparison with breeding animals of the Large White Pig Breed, which emerged after domestication of the Wild Boar in Europe. Modern research shows that artificial (destructive, disruptive, stabilizing) selection and selection under appropriate feeding and housing conditions played a significant role in domestication and breeding, namely the Large White Boar. Conclusions. Prematurity processes and formation of modern pig breeds mainly occurred by increasing the variability of traits, precocity, mass and size of animals, some internal organs and systems.

Breed differentiation of domestic pigs using SNP – extended bioinformatical analysis

Using the methods of bioinformatics, the analysis of data on sequencing of the genomes of individuals of the species Sus scrofa domesticus, which are located in the Sequence Read Archive (NCBI-SRA) database, was carried out. Genotypes were determined in silico for five breeds of domestic pigs – Duroc, Landrace, Pietrain, Large White and Yorkshire using an algorithm developed in the Python programming language. Based on a two-stage bioinformatics analysis, a wide range of SNPs with a high potential for differentiation was identified. The results obtained will be used to create express methods for determining the purity of pigs of these breeds. Extended bioinformatics analysis, which included genotyping by 7451 SNPs for 248 Sus scrofa domesticus genomes, revealed a total of 393 SNPs for all breeds for which there is a significant difference in the frequency of alternative alleles in Duroc, Landrace, Pietrain, Large White and Yorkshire pig breeds. Clusters within chromosomes are indicated, in which the density of SNPs with a high differentiating potential is the highest. For Duroc pigs, we identified 184 SNPs with differentiating potential, 24 of which showed a high differentiating potential, for Landrace pigs – 52 SNPs and 7, for Pietrain pigs – 39 and 9, for Large White pigs – 104 and 22, for Yorkshire pigs – 14 and 5, respectively.

Role and significance of Belarusian Large White breed pigs in pig breeding in Belarus

The Belarusian Large White breed of pigs is characterized by high maternal performance, resistance, livability of young animals, their fattening and meat productivity. The breed is effectively used for commercial cross breeding with Yorkshire and Landrace pigs. The article contains the results of a comprehensive assessment of the Belarusian Large White breed pigs in terms of development and productivity. The subject of research was the active part of purebred herds of pigs of this breed raised at the following breeding enterprises: agricultural branch “SGC “Zadneprovsky” of JSC “Orsha bread products company”, JSC “SGC “Zarechye”, JSC “Breeding plant “Timonovo”, JSC “Krasnaya Buda”. The main method of working with the breed was the purebred line breeding. Individual selection of animals was carried out according to the main indicators of productivity, development and conformation. The group matching of boars and sows of the breed by reproductive performance was carried out on the basis of the valuation data of breeding enterprises. A comprehensive assessment of development and productivity of the Belarusian Large White pigs showed that on average, intrabreed adult boars aged 36 months had a live weight of 313.0 kg, a body length of 182.0 cm, and sows had a body length of 250.0 kg and 164.0 cm, respectively. Productivity indicators of sows from all controlled breeding herds were as follows: prolificacy – 10.2 heads, milkability (litter weight on the 21st day) – 52.1 kg, number of piglets at weaning – 9.5 heads. Based on a set of indicators, the progeny of boars of Drachun 90685 and Smyk 46706 lines (“SGC “Zadneprovsky”) have the best fattening and meat quality traits. On the basis of the research results obtained, the schemes of interlinear group matching of sows and boars of the Belarusian Large White breed at the breeding enterprises of the Republic were developed.

Dietary effects of substituting maize for yellow cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) as energy source for weaner pigs

Due to consistent increases in the prices of conventional feeds, researchers have started looking for alternative sources of feeds. The research was conducted to investigate the dietary effect of substituting maize for cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) as energy source for weaner pigs. The experiment was conducted at the Swine Unit of the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The cocoyam was collected and processed by sun-drying to form a cocoyam corn meal (CCM). A total of 16 weaner pigs of large white breeds were used for the study. The pigs were divided into 4 groups based on average initial body weights (20-25 kg) and each group of weaner pigs were respectively allotted to each of the four treatment diets using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Each treatment group contained two replicates of four pigs, two males and two females). These pigs were fed twice daily and water supplied ad-libitium. Four diets were formulated to contain 0, 20, 40 and 60% of CCM. Data were collected on growth performance and blood profile. Result revealed that there was significant (p&lt;0.05) differences in all the growth performance parameters measured. No significant differences (p&gt;0.05) were observed on all blood profile parameters measured except the albumin and creatinine. The albumin and creatinine values ranged from 2.63-3.52 g/dl and 0.90- 1.50 mg/dl respectively. It was concluded that weaner pigs fed 20% CCM based diet has significant effect on the growth performance of pigs. This implies that CCM at 20% showed more effect on the growth performance of pigs compared to other levels of diet. It was therefore recommended that cocoyam corn meal should be encouraged in the feeding of pigs to reduce over dependence of maize feeds by our farmers which has led to the high cost of raising monogastric specifically pigs thereby discouraging farmers from investing in the swine business.