P.N. de Groot

Direct and maternal breed effects on growth and milk intake of piglets: Meishan versus Dutch breeds

Abstract Cross fostering techniques were used to evaluate pre-natal (direct genetic and maternal) and post-natal (maternal) breed effects in Meishan and Dutch breeds on milk intake and growth of piglets during the suckling period and growth after weaning. Meishan as well as Dutch sows nursed mixed litters of Meishan and Dutch piglets. Birth weight of Dutch as compared to Meishan piglets was 56% higher. The effects of this birth weight difference on milk intake and growth of piglets were studied. Data on 44 mixed litters nursed by 21 Dutch and 23 Meishan sows were available. At an average birth weight difference, growth rate from birth to 21 and 21–35 d was 25 and 31% higher for Dutch than for Meishan piglets respectively, while milk intake per piglet at days 13 and 30 of lactation was 38 and 36% higher, respectively. Differences between Dutch and Meishan sows were small. Higher growth during the suckling period of Dutch as compared to Meishan piglets was mainly caused by their higher birth weight. Results indicate that Meishan sows have good maternal characteristics, i.e. significantly lower piglet mortality and the ability to raise also the heavier, more demanding Dutch piglets.

Associations between osteochondrosis and conformation and locomotive characteristics in pigs

Conformation and locomotive characteristics (CLC; i.e., leg conformation and gait movement patterns) may be associated with osteochondrosis (OC) in pigs. Osteochondrosis and CLC increase the risk of premature culling. This study investigated whether CLC have an explanatory value, over the previously modeled effects of sex, feeding, and housing conditions, on the occurrence and severity of OC in several joints and at the animal level. At 154 to 156 d of age, 267 pigs were subjectively scored on 9 conformation and 2 locomotive characteristics. Scoring was performed on a 9-point linear grading scale. For conformation characteristics, score 5 indicated normal conformation and scores 1 and 9 indicated severe deviations from normal. For the locomotive characteristics, score 1 indicated normal locomotion and score 9 indicated severe deviation from normal. At 161 to 176 d of age, pigs were slaughtered and joints were dissected for macroscopic evaluation of OC status. Results showed that swaying hindquarters and a stiffer gait were associated with greater scores for OC in, respectively, the femoropatellar (P = 0.018) and tarsocrural joint (P = 0.005), smaller inner claws as compared with the outer claws of the front legs was associated with lower scores for OC than equally sized claws in the femoropatellar joint (P = 0.021) and on animal level (P = 0.010), steep and weak pasterns of the front legs were associated with greater scores for OC in the elbow joint (P = 0.004) and on animal level (P = 0.018), X-shaped hind legs was associated with greater scores for OC on animal level (P = 0.037), and steep and weak pasterns of the hind legs were associated with lower scores for OC than normal conformation in the tarsocrural joint (P = 0.05). This study found several CLC that were associated with OC in several joints and at an animal level. This study showed that certain CLC might be used as indicators of OC and included in the criteria for selection of replacement animals for the breeding herd.

Effects of recombinant porcine somatotropin on growth and carcass traits in meishan pigs

Effects of recombinant porcine somatotropin (rpST) on growth, feed intake, feed conversion, back-fat thickness and lean percentage were examined in growing Meishan pigs. The experiment comprised 42 barrows of which 20 were administered 14 mg rpST twice a week i.m., starting at 40 kg, the others received a placebo. Pigs were fed ad libitum a diet containing 9.2 MJ net energy and 156 g crude protein kg−1 and were slaughtered at 90 kg liveweight. From 40 to 90 kg liveweight, rpST effects were: daily gain +17.9%; feed intake −5.1%; feed conversion −17.5%; backfat thickness −29.8%; lean percentage +16.0%. The effects of rpST in Meishan are much larger than in a similar experiment with leaner western pigs. Development of synthetic breeds with Meishan in combination with the use of rpST in cross-bred fattening pigs may be a way to economically exploit the high fertility of Meishan.