Estimation of genetic parameters and breeding values for litter size in the first three parity of Landrace sows

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters and breeding values for reproduction traits of Landrace sows in the first three parities by Animal model. Records of 2238 first parity; 2125 second parity and 1872 third parity Landrace sows farrowing between 2007 and 2012 were included in the analysis. The traits included in the analyses were total pigs born (TB), number of pigs born alive (NBA), number of pigs weaned (NW) and litter weaning weight (LW) in the parities. The genetic parameters were estimated using a multivariate analyses Animal model using REML procedure. Estimates of heritability for TB were 0.03, 0.05 and 0.18, for NBA were 0.04, 0.02 and 0.17, for NW were 0.08, 0.08 and 0.01 and for LW were 0.09, 0.11 and 0.03 for parities 1 to 3. Genetic and phenotypic variance were increased from the first to the third parity. Between the majorities of studied reproductive traits were the recorded positive genetic and phenotypic correlations, except between LW and other analyzed properties where they recorded a high correlation negative in third parity. Means of estimated breeding values of reproductive traits from first parity to third parity was in decreased.

Keywords

• genetic parameters
• breeding values
• liter size
• parity