• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.185-193
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• 2011

To investigate the influences of candidate genes on the birth weight and the early stages of life, genotyping of the prolactin receptor 3 (PRLR3) and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) genes was performed in 156 and 141 Berkshire pigs, respectively. The frequency of both PRLR3 alleles A and a was 0.50. The frequencies of the RBP4 alleles B and b were 0.42 and 0.58, respectively. Neither locus was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No significant associations of the PRLR3 alleles with birth or weaning weights and of the RBP4 alleles with birth weight were observed. The proportions of the phenotype variances due to the genotypes of PRLR3 in the feeder weights was 4.0% and those of RBP4 in the weaning and feeder weights were 11.9 and 3.3%, respectively (P < 0.05). The dominance effect of PRLR3 and RBP4 on feeder weights was 2.40 and -1.86 kg, respectively (P < 0.01). The additive and dominance effects of RBP4 on weaning weights were 0.332 and -0.682 kg, respectively (P < 0.01). Even if no significant epistasis of PRLR3 and RBP4 was detected, a considerable trend of consistent positive epistasis estimates of AA/BB and Aa/Bb was observed for all traits. The results of this study may have a considerable impact on early-stage growth by both loci, and a selection strategy should be designed separately for each marker in Berkshire pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1390-1393
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• 2006

Data spread over 11 years (1986-1996) pertaining to a synthetic population developed by inter se mating of half-breds of Corriedale and Russian Merino with Nali maintained at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar were utilized for the estimation of genetic parameters for growth traits. The means for birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), six month body weight (SWT), yearling weight (YWT), preweaning daily gain (PRW) and post weaning daily gain (POW) were 3.35 kg, 10.79 kg, 13.28 kg, 18.96 kg, 82.6 gm and 27.6 gm, respectively. The effects of year and season of birth and sex of lamb were significant for all the traits under study except the effect of season of birth for WWT, SWT and PRW. No definite trend was observed over the years for the averages of body weight and gain. Lambs born during the spring season performed better for BWT, WWT and PRW while the performance of lambs born during autumn was better for the other traits included in the study. The male lambs were heavier than the females for body weight at all stages and gain in weight. The heritability estimates for WWT and PRW were low; for BWT and SWT were moderate and for YWT and POW were high. Birth weight had high heritability and high genetic correlations with subsequent body weights and gains but due to the presence of a maternal effect on BWT and WWT, a sequential selection procedure is recommended for the improvement of growth rate in sheep.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.1158-1161
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• 2004

This study chiefly aims to ascertain the effect of birth weight and litter size on productive performance in rabbits. After delivery kits were removed from their mothers for individual weighing and randomly assigned to one of the following three experimental treatments: Group (KT 6) with six tiny kits (about 45 g) per litter (21 litters); Group (KT 8) with eight tiny kits (about 45 g) per litter (17 litters); Group (KN8) with eight normal kits (about 70 g) per litter (20 litters). The litters, separated from their mothers by putting them in a closed cage, suckled one time a day for 15 minutes. Daily milk production was measured by weighing the does immediately before and after suckling; body weight of kits was measured on a weekly basis. At weaning 60 rabbits per group were raised for six weeks to ascertain post-weaning performance and health. Compared with the two other groups, the kits of group KT8 ingested smaller quantities of milk both during the first 3 weeks (497.7 vs. 520.0 vs. 544.3 g, respectively for groups KT8, KN8, KT6) and the following period (261.3 vs. 285.0 vs. 302.7 g, respectively for KT8, KN8, KT6). The differences between groups KT8 and KT6 were statistically significant (p<0.01) in the first period while in the second period also KN8 group showed milk intake different in respect of KT8 (p<0.01) and KT6 (p<0.05) groups. Solid feed intake was significantly (p<0.05) lower in group KT6 (23.1 vs. 26.2 vs. 26.8 g/d, respectively for groups KT6, KN8, KT8). At weaning the kits of group KN8 always weighed more (966 vs. 894 vs. 888 g; p<0.01, respectively for groups KN8, KT6, KT8). After weaning, no parameter considered (daily weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, mortality and risk sanitary index) was affected by birth weight and litter size.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.151-162
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• 2012

Analysis for back fat thickness (BFAT) and daily body weight gains from birth to the end of a performance test were conducted to find an optimal method for estimation of weaning age effects and to ascertain impacts of weaning age on the growth performance of purebred Berkshire pigs from a closed population in Korea. Individual body weights were measured at birth (B), at weaning (W: mean, 22.9 d), at the beginning of the performance test (P: mean, 72.7 d), and at the end of the performance test (T: mean, 152.4 d). Further, the average daily gains in body weight (ADG) of 3,713 pigs were analyzed for the following periods: B to W (DGBW), W to P (DGWP), P to T (DGPT), B to P (DGBP), B to T (DGBT), and W to T (DGWT). Weaning ages ranged from 17 to 34 d, and were treated as fixed (WF), random with (WC) and random without (WU) consideration of an empirical relationship between weaning ages in the models. WF and WC produced the lowest AIC (Akaike Information Criterion) and least fractions of error variance components in multi-traits analysis, respectively. The fractions of variances due to diverse weaning age and the weaning age correlations among ADGs of different stages (when no overlapping allowed) by WC ranged from 0.09 to 0.35 and from -0.03 to 0.44, respectively. The maximum weaning age effects and optimal back fat thicknesses were attained at weaning ages of 27 to 32 d. With the exception of DGBW, the effects of weaning age on the ADGs increased (ranging from 1.50 g/d to 7.14 g/d) with increased weaning age. In addition, BFAT was reduced by 0.106 mm per increased day in weaning age. In conclusion, WC produced reasonable weaning age correlations, and improved the fitness of the model. Weaning age was one of crucial factors (comparable with heritability) influencing growth performance in Berkshire pigs. Further, these studies suggest that increasing weaning age up to 32 d can be an effective management strategy to improve growth performance. However, additional investigations of the costs and losses related to extension of the suckling period and on the extended range of weaning age are necessary to determine the productivity and safety of this practice in a commercial herd and production system.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.749-754
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• 2017

Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of farrowing month (FM), parity and sex on the growth performance of Berkshire swine raised in alternative production systems. Methods: A total of 40 farrowing records from 27 sows and 1,258 body weight (BW) records from 274 piglets collected over a two-year period were used for the analysis. The BWs were recorded at birth, weaning (28 d), 56, 84, 112, and 140 days. Any BW not recorded on schedule was recalculated to conform the days of age among corresponding BW records, using growth curves drawn with polynomial functions whose power was determined by the number of existing observations for each individual. Results: The mean parity (${\pm}$standard deviation) of the sows was $3.42{\pm}2.14$. The sows that farrowed in June had the lowest number of total born with an average of $6.25{\pm}2.22$ piglets per sow. However, the lowest average number of piglets weaned at day 28 was found in sows that farrowed in May, as well as the highest number recorded for the stillborn piglets with an average of 2.67 piglets per sow. Moreover, the smallest increase in weight from birth to weaning occurred in piglets that were farrowed in May, which also corresponds with the average daily gain (ADG) of 0.29 kg and the last recorded weight measurement on day 140 of $41.69{\pm}1.45kg$. Contrastingly, the highest growth rate was found among pigs farrowed in June, with the largest increase in weight of 7.55 kg from birth to weaning, the highest ADG of 0.51 kg from birth to 140 day of age and the highest BW of $74.70{\pm}1.86kg$ recorded on day 140. Conclusion: Pigs farrowed in June also had the least number of piglets that died between birth and weaning. The zone of thermal comfort found in sows reared in indoor confinement systems did not improve the reproductive performance of the sows reared in an outdoor, alternative production system, while the growth performance of the piglets was improved when the ambient temperature was consistently hot or consistently cold.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.155-164
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• 2023

A total of 16 sows (average parity = 3.5 ± 0.10, standard deviation = 2.05) and their newborn pigs (Duroc × [Landrace × Yorkshire], initial body weight 1.53 ± 0.07 kg) were used in a 21-day study. On day 3 of age, piglets along with their dam were divided into two groups: CON and TRT. CON group piglets did not receive any iron injection while, TRT group piglets received 200 mg of injectable iron (GleptoForte) in a single dose. The administration of iron at day-3 of birth improved weaning body weight and overall average daily gain in sucking piglets compared with their control counterparts. For blood criteria, injection of 200 mg of iron improved serum iron values and hematocrit and decreased total iron binding capacity (TIBC) during the day 21 period. In summary, 200 mg iron injection at birth resulted in greater growth performance and blood iron status. These results indicate that providing 200 mg of injectable iron is sufficient to optimize the growth performance and blood iron status of suckling piglets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.249-254
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• 2005

The objective of this study was to investigate effects of dietary level of CLA and the duration of feeding CLAcontaining diets on reproductive performance in sows and piglet growth rate. Tallow (3% in gestation diet and 5% in lactation diet, respectively) was incorporated as a fat source in control diet, and each 50% (dietary CLA level of 0.75% in gestation diet, and 1.50% in lactation diet, respectively) or 100% (dietary CLA level of 1.50% in gestation diet, and 2.50% in lactation diet, respectively) of tallow was replaced by a commercial CLA preparation containing 50% CLA isomers. Diets containing CLA were fed either from d 15 premating to weaning or d 74 post-mating to weaning. The level of dietary CLA and feeding duration did not affect litter size. High dietary level of CLA, however, decreased piglet weights at birth (p<0.01) and tended to decrease backfat thickness of sows at weaning. Longterm feeding of CLA-containing diets decreased piglet weights at weaning (p<0.05) and backfat thickness of sows at weaning (p<0.05). CLA supplemented in sow diet was transferred to fetus and piglets during pregnancy and nursing period, respectively. CLA contents of femoral muscle of piglets were 2.08 to 2.57 mg per g of fat at birth, and 2.36 to 4.47 mg at 10 days of age in CLA groups, while CLA was not detected in the control group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of CLA tended to lower backfat thickness of sow and piglets' weight at birth or weaning, but did not affect total litter size. Dietary CLA was transferred efficiently during prenatal and postnatal periods of time through the placenta and milk, respectively.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.385-395
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• 2010

The objective of this study was to determine optimal lysine requirement of lactating Mong Cai sows and their piglets. An experiment was conducted using 30 Mong Cai sows in a factorial randomized design with 5 dietary total lysine levels (0.60, 0.70, 0.85, 1.0 and 1.15%) for one-week pre-partum and 5 dietary total lysine levels (0.60, 0.75, 0.90, 1.05 and 1.2%) for lactation diets. Mong Cai sows were about 1 to 2 years old and had an initial body weight of 120 kg (sd = 2.5) after farrowing. Sows were restrictively fed 1.7 kg feed during gestation and were fed ad libitum during lactation. Diets of sows contained about 12% CP during pregnancy and about 14% CP for the lactation period. DE concentration of the diets ranged between 12.5-13.0 MJ of DE. Water was supplied at up to 8 liters per sow per day in a basin. Studied traits were related to both sows and their progeny. Sows were weighed at 107 days of gestation, after farrowing and at weaning. Sow back-fat depth was measured at 110 days of gestation, after farrowing, at 21 days of lactation and at weaning. Number of piglets born, at 24 h after birth, at 21 days of age and at weaning were recorded. Piglets were weighte at birth, at 21 days and at weaning. Supplying lysine one week pre-partum had no effect on the number of piglets born nor litter weight at birth (p = 0.776 and p = 0.224). A positive effect of increasing dietary lysine level during lactation from 0.60 to 1.20% was observed with regard to less sow weight loss, and increased piglet weight at 21 days and at weaning. The level of lysine that resulted in the lowest sow backfat loss and the highest weaned piglet weight was 1.05%; this may be the optimum level of lysine for the diet of lactating Mong Cai sows. At this lysine level, the number of weaned piglets was also highest.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2003

The objective of this study were to investigate the effects of Se and Vit. E administration at last month or two month before parturition on the reproductive function of dams and developmental ability of calves. On developmental ability of calves obtained afier Se and Vit. E administration at the last month of pregnancing periods, the birth weight were significantly higher in administration groups than in control group(P<0.05). However, the weaning weight, average daily gain and weaning age were not significantly difference in all experimental groups. In the comparision of reproductive function in dams, estrus postpartum was faster in treatment groups than control groups(P>0.05). However, the number of A.1 service fur conception were lower groups injected than control group(P>0.05), there were not significantly differences in all experimental groups. The developmental ability of calves obtained after Se and Vit. E administration at two months before parturition were also examined. The birth weight, weaning weight, average daily gain and weaning age were higher in treatment groups than control group, but there were not significantly differences in all experimental groups. In reproductive function of dams, the days to 1 st estrus postpartum was slightly faster injected groups than control group(P>0.05). Number of A.I. service for conception in each groups were lower in treatment groups than control group.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.293-304
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• 2005

This experiment was carried out to investigate effects of honeybee venom treatment on the body weight gain, feed conversion and growth rate' in pigs. One hundred twenty nine piglets(LY) from 12 sows were allocated into two groups; honeybee venom-treated group (66 piglets from 6 sows) and non-treated control group (63 piglets from 6 sows). Natural honeybee venom was administrated at 0, 3, 14, 30, and 74 days after birth. The acupoints were Hai-men(ST-25), Du-kou(CV-8) and liao-chao(GV-I) points at 0 day, the regions of castration and tail ampution at 3 days, liao-chao(GV-1) and Bai-hui(GV-20) points at 14(weaning), 30(move into piglet stall) and 74(move into grower stall) days after birth. Control group was injected 1 ml of saline to the same site. Average body weight at 150 days after birth was 98.44 kg in bee venom treated group and 86.24 kg in control group, respectively. Average body weight of treated group was significantly increased by 14.15%(P < 0.0001). Average daily gain of bee venom treated group and control group were 649 g and 569 g, respectively, increased by 14.06%(P< 0.0001). Feed conversion of the treated group was 2.21 and control group was 2.49, increased by 11.25% in control group(P < 0.001). Survival rate at weaning was 95.5 % in treated group and 92.0% in control group, at growing(74 days after birth) was 92.4% in treated group and 85.7% in control group and survival rate at finishing(l50 days after birth) was 89.5 % and 79.4 %, respectively. Collecting together, the results in this study showed that growth performance and feed conversion were increased by treatment of natural honeybee venom to pigs. These results suggested that the treatment of bee venom could be used effectively for the increase productivity of livestock industry.