Comparison of one-quarter Chinese Meishan and three-breed conventional cross females for sow productivity, and growth and carcass characteristics of the progeny

Abstract

M. 2000. Comparison of one-quarter Chinese Meishan and three-breed conventional cross females for sow productivity, and growth and carcass characteristics of the progeny. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 80: 281-286. The reproductive performance over five parities of two one-quarter Meishan female genotypes were compared with a three-breed cross female genotype based on conventional breeds of pigs. Hampshire-sired progeny from these females were evaluated for growth performance and carcass measures. The female genotypes evaluated were Landrace × (Meishan × Yorkshire) (LMeY) (n = 45), Duroc × (Meishan × Yorkshire) (DMeY) (n = 41), and Landrace × (Duroc × Yorkshire) (LDY) (n = 50), respectively. LMeY had a greater number of pigs born alive (11.1, 10.6, and 10.2, SE = 0.24 for LMeY, DMeY, and LDY, respectively, P < 0.05) and a higher total litter birth weight (20.02, 18.16, and 17.29, SE = 0.383 kg for LMeY, DMeY, and LDY, respectively, P < 0.001) than the other lines. Gestation length was reduced for the two Meishan-cross genotypes (114.5, 114.3, and 114.9, SE = 0.18, for LMeY, DMeY and LDY, respectively; P < 0.001). A shorter farrowing interval was observed for the LMeY (147.1, 148.6 and 151.4, SE = 1.32 for LMeY, DMeY and LDY, respectively, P < 0.05). Number of pigs weaned per litter was highest for LMeY line (10.7, 10.0, and 9.4, SE = 0.22 for LMeY, DMeY and LDY, respectively; P < 0.05). No differences (P > 0.05) were observed between the Hampshire-sired progeny of the three dam genotypes for growth performance, backfat thickness and loin eye depth at 114 kg. These results indicate that the development of a female line with one-quarter Meishan may result in improved reproductive efficiency compared to female lines based on western breeds. )] n = 50. LMeY produisait plus (P < 0,05, ET = 0,24) de porcelets nés vivants, soit 11,1 et un poids total de portée à la naissance plus élevé (P < 0,001), ET = 0,383 kg, soit 20,02 kg, que DMeY, respectivement, 10,6 et 18,16 et LDY, respectivement, 10,2 et 17,29. La durée de la gestation était plus courte chez les deux croisements Meishan, soit, respectivement, 114,5 et 114,3 jours (P < 0,001) que chez LDY, 111,4 j (ET = 0,18). L'intervalle entre mises bas était plus rapproché chez LMeY (147,1 j) que chez DMeY et LDY, respectivement 148,6 et 151,4 j, ET = 1,32. C'est aussi la souche LMeY qui conduisait au sevrage le plus grand nombre de porcelets par portée (P < 0,05), soit 10,7 contre respectivement 10,0 et 9,4 (ET = 0,22) pour DMeY et LDY. Aucune différence significative au seuil de P > 0,05 n'était observée entre les trois souches maternelles pour les performances de croissance, pour l'épaisseur du lard dorsal et pour la profondeur de la noix de côte au poids corporel de 114 kg. Il ressort de nos observations que la constitution d'une souche femelle à 1/4 d'ascendance Meishan peut apporter une amélio-ration de l'efficience de reproduction par rapport aux souches issues des races occidentales.

Hormonal, behavioural and performance characteristics of Meishan sows during pregnancy and lactation

“…Sinclair et al (1998b) reported that until day 16 of lactation, 50% Meishan sows make fewer posture changes, and spend more time lying with their udder exposed and less time standing than sows from European breeds. These results suggest a greater willingness to nurse, and could in part account for the lower piglet mortality in Meishan litters (Bidanel et al 1990; Van der Steen and de Groot 1992; Wolter et al 2000). In contrast, recent data show that 50% Meishan sows spend more time lying on the belly than Large White sows in late lactation (Farmer et al 2001), possibly to reduce access of piglets to teats.…”

“…Sinclair et al (1996) also demonstrated increased litter weights in 50% Meishan sows, but not in gilts. Recent results also suggest that in 25% Meishan females, the increase in litter size would not be accompanied by any negative effects on piglet or litter weights at birth (Young 1998;Wolter et al 2000). In addition, breeding Meishans to Yorkshire or Landrace boars would be more advantageous than breeding to Durocs.…”

“…Purebred Meishan females appear to have more stillborn and mummified piglets than Large White females (Haley et al1995). Meishan and Meishan-derived sows also have lower pre-weaning mortality than purebred and crossbred sows from European breeds (Bidanel et al 1990; Van der Steen and de Groot 1992;Wolter et al 2000). At a similar birth weight, Meishan cross piglets have an advantage in survivability, compared to European breeds .…”

“…In addition, breeding Meishans to Yorkshire or Landrace boars would be more advantageous than breeding to Durocs. Indeed, the positive effects of Meishan genes on piglets born alive, litter birth weight and number of piglets weaned are greater in females born from F1 Yorkshire × Meishan mated to Landraces than in F1 sired by Durocs (Wolter et al 2000).…”

“…Le Dividich et al (1991) showed that Meishan newborn piglets have more carcass protein and dry matter than Large White piglets, with body fat content and fatty acid composition of the carcass being similar in both breeds (Le Dividich et al 1991). On the other hand, Sinclair et al (1999) (Wolter et al 2000)]. …”