China Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine ›› 2022, Vol. 49 ›› Issue (11): 4261-4269.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2022.11.016

• Genetics and Breeding • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Influencing Factors Analysis and Genetic Parameters Estimation of Gestational Length in Yorkshire Sows

LI Huihui1, GAO Xuefeng2, XU Ke2, ZHAO Baokai2, WANG Ying2, SHI Lijun1, WANG Lixian1   

  1. 1. Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China;
    2. Liaoning Vica Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Ecological Food Co., Ltd., Huludao 125105, China
  • Revised:2022-07-28 Online:2022-11-05 Published:2022-11-04

Abstract: 【Objective】 This study was aimed to analyze the influence of three fixed effects of parity, breeding season and breeding boar on gestational length in Yorkshire sows, estimate the genetic parameters of gestational length, and explore the relationship between gestational length and total number born, number born alive, total litter weight, number of stillbirth and number of mummy.【Method】 A total of 4 261 records with four parities (1-4) of 2 138 Yorkshire sows were collected, including gestational length, total number born, number born alive, total litter weight, number of stillbirth and number of mummy.A general linear model was used to analyze the effect of the fixed effects on gestational length in Yorkshire sows, and a multi-trait repeatability model was used to estimate the genetic parameters (heritability, repeatability, genetic correlation, phenotypic correlation) between gestational length and other reproductive traits.【Result】 The average gestational length of Yorkshire sows was 116.08 d, which was significant difference from 114 d according to the analysis of t test (P<0.05).The parity had a significant effect on gestational length, in which, the gestational length of the first pregnancy was significantly shorter than that of the second pregnancy (P<0.05).The gestational length was extremely significantly affected by breeding seasons (P<0.01).Sows bred in spring had the shortest gestational length, and sows bred in autumn had the longest gestational length, with a difference of 0.73 d (P<0.05).There was a significant difference in gestational length of sows after mating with different boars (P<0.05), and the maximum difference reached 3.05 d.The heritability of gestational length was 0.1603, which showed the negative phenotypic and genetic correlation with total number born, number born alive, total litter weight, number of stillbirth and number of mummy.【Conclusion】 The gestational length was affected by many factors and hereditary.Gestational length was significantly related to reproductive traits such as the total litter size of sows, and it could be used as an indirect index of swine production.Gestational length was of great significance to accurately calculate the prediction of the due date of sows and realize accurate feeding management.

Key words: Yorkshire sows; gestational length; genetic parameters

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