Selection line x diet interactions for two lines of pigs fed 12 or 24% protein diets.

An experiment with crossbred swine was conducted over six generations of selection based on an index (Index) of average daily gain in weight (ADG) in a test period from 56 d of age to 91 kg gross weight and average backfat thickness (ABF) measured from ultrasonic scans at 91 kg. Test pigs of the high protein select (HS) and control (HC) lines were fed a 24% crude protein (CP) diet and pigs of the low protein select (LS) and control (LC) lines were fed a 12% CP diet during the test period. The extent of genetic (selection line) x environmental (dietary) interaction effects was determined based on feeding closely related boars and gilts from both the HS and LS lines on both diets. Tests were conducted in 1986 and 1987 with progeny of the fifth and sixth generations of selection. Records for 472 pigs sired by 37 boars and out of 101 dams were analyzed for effects of selection and diets on AGE of pig at 91 kg, ADG, ABF, LMA (longissimus muscle area at the last rib) and Index. Statistically significant interactions effects of line x diet were noted (P less than .01) for AGE, ADG and Index, traits with low to moderate heritabilities (h2). For ABF and LMA, body composition traits with moderate or higher h2, interaction effects of line x diet were near zero. These results suggest that for best all-around future performance, traits such as AGE and ADG, selection probably should be practiced under dietary conditions under which future populations will be produced. For body composition traits such as ABF and LMA, selection probably would be more effective if pigs were fed a more enriched protein diet. However, as a practical matter, to more rapidly improve the genetic merit of the swine population, both the central station and on-the-farm testing programs should be conducted under standard commercial production systems.

Estimates of genetic parameters for carcass measures of body composition and growth in swine.

Records for pigs included in an experiment on reciprocal recurrent selection conducted from 1956 through 1971 at the USDA Beltsville Agriculture Research Center were analyzed to obtain estimates of heritabilities and genetic correlations and to derive prediction equations for estimating weight of lean cuts (WTLC) and percentage of lean cuts of shrunk slaughter weight (LCPC). Lean cuts growth rate (LCGR) was then estimated as WTLC/age of pig at slaughter. The base population consisted of two unrelated crossbred strains. A total of 1,294 records of F1 and F2 crossbred pigs were analyzed with one barrow and one gilt from each litter. Estimates of heritabilities and genetic correlations were computed with sire components of variance and covariance from a nested analysis of variance with an assumed model of years, strain-lines within years, sire within strain-lines, dams within sires and residual. Degrees of freedom were 307 for sires in strain-lines, 270 for dams in sires and 646 for residual. Heritability (h2) estimates were .42 +/- .13, .41 +/- .13 and .27 +/- .18 for WTLC, LCPC and LCGR, respectively, and .71 +/- .16, .38 +/- .13, .31 +/- .13 and .25 +/- .15 for carcass length, average backfat thickness, longissimus muscle area and ADG in BW, respectively. These estimates were apparently the first published genetic estimates involving LCGR based on carcass data. It was recommended that prediction equations to estimate WTLC, LCPC and LCGR for use in swine testing programs be derived from current meat-type pigs.

Genetic and phenotypic parameters for pig growth and body composition estimated by intraclass correlation and parent-offspring regression.

Purebred Duroc and Yorkshire boars and gilts, farrowed in spring litters from 1974 through 1982 and in fall litters from 1974 through 1978, were maintained as closed select and control lines descended from the same base population. Spring-farrowed pigs were selected mainly on an index of sow productivity traits, whereas selection among fall-farrowed pigs was mainly on an index of pig performance traits. Basic traits analyzed were age of pig at 91 kg, postweaning average daily gain in weight, average backfat thickness (ABF) and longissimus muscle area (LMA), with ABF and LMA measured from ultrasonic scans at 91 kg. Also analyzed were estimated weight of trimmed wholesale lean cuts at 91 kg live weight and lean cuts growth rate from birth to 91 kg. Standardized selection differentials indicated that no significant selection pressure was applied to the four basic traits in the population. A nested analysis of variance of intraclass correlations among paternal half-sib families was computed with 1,930 gilt records, providing estimates of heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic correlations among the six traits. Also, estimates were computed for the portion of total phenotypic variance due to maternal-related covariances among littermates and the portion due to random environmental variances among individuals. In addition, estimates of the population parameters were computed from regressions of boars and gilts on sires, dams and mid-parental values with 974 boar and 1,686 gilt deviation records. Composite parameter estimates were then computed from the separate values weighted by the inverse of their standard errors.

Genetic and maternal effects on pig weights, growth and probe backfat in diallel crosses of high- and low-fat lines of swine.

Two Duroc and two Yorkshire lines of pigs that had been selected at Beltsville Agricultural Research Center for 12 and 10 generations, respectively, for either thinner or thicker backfat were mated to produce all possible pure lines and reciprocal crosses in 1967, 1969 and 1970. Data for littermate gilts and barrows from 136 litters were analyzed to estimate genetic and maternal influence on individual pig weights at birth, 21 d, 56 d and 140 d of age; age at 79.4 kg; average backfat thickness at 79.4 kg and postweaning average daily gain (56 d to 79.4 kg). Pure-line gilts differed among breed-lines (P less than .05 or P less than .01) for all traits except weight at 56 d. Gilts of the two low-fat lines were heavier than gilts of the two high-fat lines through 56 d of age, but Yorkshire low-fat gilts were lightest at 140 d, were oldest at 79.4 kg and had the slowest daily gain, in addition to the least backfat. The Duroc low-fat line gilts were heaviest at 140 d, youngest at 79.4 kg and were second thinnest in backfat. Among pure-line barrows, the low-fat lines were heaviest at birth, at 21 d and at 140 d and were thinnest in backfat. Line-cross gilts were heavier than pure-line gilts at all four ages, were younger at 79.4 kg and higher in daily gain. Among barrows, line crosses were heavier in all weights except at 21 d, were younger at 79.4 kg and were higher in daily gain than pure lines. Differences between pure lines and line crosses in backfat were not significant for either sex. Heterosis varied from 6.5 to 16.7% among weights and growth traits. Pigs of both sexes differed among breed-lines in general combining ability for all traits except 21-d weight, and differed in maternal ability for weights through 56 d and for backfat. Specific combining ability (SCA) was significant only for intra-breed crosses for weight at 21 d, and for inter-breed, intra-line crosses for 21- and 56-d weights and for age at 79.4 kg among gilts, with no significant effects in SCA for any trait among barrows. General combining ability was not correlated with maternal effects for any trait except 21-d weight, for which they were positively correlated (r greater than .80).

A genetic analysis of feed conversion efficiency and associated traits in swine.

Performance records were analyzed for 1,869 purebred Duroc and Yorkshire gilts tested in littermate groups of two to four pigs in 703 pens. Traits studied were average daily gain during a standard test period from 56 d of age to 90.7 kg (ADG), average daily feed consumption during the test period (ADF), average backfat thickness (ABF) measured from polaroid photos of ultrasonic scans at 90.7 kg and efficiency of feed conversion for the whole test period (feed conversion efficiency, FCE). The main objectives were: 1) to estimate pertinent genetic and phenotypic parameters and 2) to discuss applications of the findings to the swine industry in the United States. A balanced 16% crude protein diet in pelleted form was provided ad libitum during the entire test period. Nested analyses of variance were computed with both the individual and pen mean records. Sire components of variance and covariance, adjusted for level of inbreeding, were used to estimate heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic variances, covariances and correlations. Heritabilities estimated from individual records were .098 for ADG and .423 for ABF. Estimates from pen means were .105 for ADF and .061 for FCE. Genetic correlations of FCE with ADG, ADF and ABF were estimated as -.520, -.520 and .694, respectively, while phenotypic correlations for the same traits were -.240, .570 and .212, respectively, all from pen means. Genetic and phenotypic correlations of ADG with ABF from individual records were .176 and .254, respectively. Implications for swine testing programs were discussed, including a proposal that would include FCE indirectly in an index with ADG and ABF, based on genetic covariances of FCE with ADG and ABF, thereby removing the need to measure FCE directly.

Performance of Duroc and Yorkshire boars and gilts and reciprocal breed crosses.

Analyses of variance were computed for records on growth and body composition traits made in 1983 by 255 boars and gilts in selected and control lines of Durocs and Yorkshires and their reciprocal crossbreds. Previous selection over a period of several generations was mainly on an index of sow productivity including preweaning litter sizes and weight. Animals in the select lines were selected for high index values; animals in the control lines were selected to average near the mean index values of that year and line. Breeding animals in all four lines during that period were basically randomly selected with regard to growth rate or body composition traits. The same boars sired both purebred and crossbred litters in 1983. Traits analyzed were average daily gain (ADG) during a standard test period from 56 d of age to 90.7 kg and average backfat thickness (ABF) and longissimus muscle area (LMA) from ultrasonic scans at 90.7 kg. Crossbred pigs had greater (P less than .01) ADG than purebred pigs, but did not differ (P greater than .05) in ABF or LMA. Heterosis was 8.2% for ADG. Crossbreds with Yorkshire dams had thinner (P less than .01) ABF and larger (P less than .01) LMA than crossbreds with Duroc dams. Boars had greater (P less than .05) ADG, thinner (P less than .01) ABF and smaller (P less than .01) LMA than gilts. Correlations between 38 half-sib family averages of purebred and crossbred pigs of the same sex and the same sires were .07, .37 and .24 for ADG, ABF and LMA, respectively. Implications of the above and additional findings for swine breeding strategies are discussed.

Genetic correlations of pig performance and sow productivity traits.

Records for a total of 732 daughter-dam pairs were analyzed to estimate the genetic correlations of pig performance traits with sow productivity traits, with implications to the development of specialized sire and dam lines for use in crossing. Major pig performance traits analyzed included average daily gain from 56 d of age to a final weight of 90.7 kg (ADG), average backfat thickness at 90.7 kg (BF) and a performance index (PI) consisting of ADG and BF. Major sow productivity traits included number of pigs born alive in a litter (NA), litter size (N21) and litter weight (W21) at 21 d of age and two sow productivity indexes, one with NA, N21 and W21 (SPI-3) and one with NA and W21 (SPI-2). All records were expressed as deviations from breed-line-year-season means of this population. Genetic correlations were computed from daughter-dam covariances. The mean genetic correlation of PI with SPI consisted of two correlations, that of daughters' PI with dams' SPI and that of dams' PI with daughters' SPI. The mean genetic correlation of PI with SPI-3 and SPI-2 was .07 +/- .12, suggesting that concurrent improvement in both PI and SPI would not be restricted by selection within a single composite line. The genetic correlation of daughters' PI with dams' SPI (-.18 +/- .13) was appraised as more critical than the reciprocal correlation of dams' PI with daughters' SPI (+.28 +/- .13). This appraisal is based on the fact that only one generation separates a daughter's PI from her dam's SPI, as compared with two generations in the reciprocal covariance. However, the -.18 correlation was not significantly different from zero, indicating that formation of specialized sire and dam lines for use in crossing would be only marginally more effective at best for improving the overall efficiency in pork production than use of a single composite line, aside from the heterosis effects from crossing the lines. Indexes were proposed for combining PI and SPI for use either in specialized sire and dam lines or in a single composite line.

A genetic analysis of sow productivity traits.

Genetic and phenotypic parameters for sow productivity traits were derived from analyses of records for 999 purebred Duroc and Yorkshire litters at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. Included were 682 spring-farrowed litters and 317 fall-farrowed litters. Primary traits examined were number of pigs born alive in the litter (NA), litter size at 21 d of age (N21), litter weight at 21 d (W21) and an index (I21) combining the three traits. Also analyzed were total number of pigs farrowed alive or stillborn, litter weight of pigs born alive and litter size and litter weight at 42 d of age (weaning). Selection was based mainly on the sow productivity index among litters in the spring season and mainly on performance traits among fall-farrowed pigs. Select and control lines were maintained in both breeds in both seasons. Yorkshires started at higher levels of productivity than Durocs in spring 1975, showed more fluctuation and ended in spring 1982 at about their starting levels. Durocs started at lower productivity levels and recorded generally significant increases by 1982, with comparable selection differentials for the two breeds. Heritabilities, estimated from daughter-biparental (mid-dam, paternal granddam) regressions using records expressed as deviations from contemporary breed-line means, varied widely among the breed-line groups. Suggested composite heritability estimates were 5, 10 and 20% for NA, N21 and W21, respectively. Genetic correlations, computed from daughter-biparental covariances, were high and positive (.7 or above) among all traits. Based on estimated genetic gains, it was proposed that W21, alone or in combination with N21 and(or) NA in an index, be used as the primary selection criterion to bring about genetic improvement in sow productivity traits.

Performance of selected and control lines of Duroc and Yorkshire pigs and their reciprocal crossbred progeny.

Performance records for 223 boars and gilts in Duroc and Yorkshire selected and control lines and for 231 boar and gilt progeny from reciprocal breed crosses were analyzed to evaluate (1) maternal effects, (2) effects of mass selection in purebreds on performance of crossbred progeny and (3) heterosis effects. Selection of purebred herd replacements was based mainly on an index (Index) of average daily gain (ADG), average scan backfat thickness (BF) and scan longissimus muscle (loin eye) area (LEA) among tested pigs. Mixed models were fitted separately to the purebred and crossbred populations, including effects of breeding group, sires within breeding group, sex, pertinent interactions and residual on Index and its component traits, ADG, BF and LEA. Crossbred pigs from Yorkshire dams had slightly larger (P less than .10) LEA's and higher (P less than .05) Indexes, suggesting a small maternal effect favoring Yorkshire dams over Duroc dams in crosses of these breeds. Crossbred pigs from Yorkshire dams also had a higher ADG and slightly less BF than crossbred pigs from Duroc dams, but the differences were not significant. Selection differentials were over three times as large for sires as for dams in purebreds and were substantially larger in selected lines than in controls where selection pressure was essentially zero for ADG and Index. In parental purebreds, selected lines exceeded controls for ADG, LEA and Index and had less BF. Selected lines crossbred progeny exceeded control lines crossbred progeny for all traits including BF. Responses in crossbreds to purebred selection varied with the trait, suggesting effects of genetic correlations, gene frequency differences, nonadditive genetic variance and sampling variation. Heterosis appeared not to be influenced by performance level or intensity or direction of selection in parental purebreds.

Adjusting preweaning pig weights to a standard age.

Quadratic regression equations were fitted to preweaning weight records for 3,587 Duroc and Yorkshire pigs in 533 litters farrowed in the spring and fall from 1974 through 1978 at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. The objective was to derive factors for adjusting pig and litter weights to uniform ages for use in evaluating sow productivity. Only records for litters with at least two boar and two gilt pigs alive at weaning at 42 d of age were included. Records for up to four healthy pigs of each sex in each litter were used. Pig weights were recorded shortly after birth at approximately 21 and 42 d of age. Actual weights were transformed to natural logarithms prior to analysis. Quadratic regression equations were fitted for each of the 1,066 litter-sex subgroups. The computed least-squares mean and linear and quadratic regression coefficients from all subgroups were analyzed with a model that included effects of years, seasons, breeds, sex and all interactions. On the basis of significant season and year x season x breed interaction effects, the quadratic coefficient was required for a good fit of the equation to the data. The equation Y = .2127 + .07545 (days of age)--.000558 (days of age)2, where Y = estimated pig weight in natural logarithms, was then used to calculate multiplicative factors for adjusting preweaning pig and litter weights to ages of 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 d.