Genetic aspects of voluntary food intake in the pig and their association with gain and food conversion efficiency

Abstract

Data from 1357 boars ad libitum fed on a performance testing scheme were analysed to explore the genetic aspects of voluntary food intake. The heritabilities of food intake, daily gain and food/ gain were found to be 0-23, 0-41 and 0-18 respectively. The correlations obtained between gain and intake of 0-63 (phenotypic) and 0-89 (genetic) were typical of those reported for ad libitum feeding but greater than those reported for semi-restricted. Estimates of genetic correlation between gain and efficiency ranged from 0-64 to zero and for the phenotypic correlation from 0-44 to zero and were smaller than those reported for restricted feeding. Correlations between intake and efficiency were highly negative on the phenotypic level but small and of variable size genetically, in contrast to reports of small phenotypic and positive genetic correlations under restriction.

Selection for components of efficient lean growth rate in pigs 4. Genetic and phenotypic parameter estimates and correlated responses in performance test traits with ad-libitum feeding

“…Specific comparisons of parameter estimates, particularly genetic correlations, from one study with those of another study are of limited value, as different breeds, management systems and diets will influence the parameters. However, heritability, phenotypic and genetic correlations from the present study were very similar to the estimates of McPhee et al (1979), Wyllie et al (1979), Cameron et al (1990) and van Steenbergen et al (1990). However, heritability, phenotypic and genetic correlations from the present study were very similar to the estimates of McPhee et al (1979), Wyllie et al (1979), Cameron et al (1990) and van Steenbergen et al (1990).…”

“…There is a limited amount of information in the literature on genetic and phenotypic parameters for growth, backfat depths and either total or daily food intake for animals fed individually on an ad-libitum feeding regime (McPhee, Brennan and Duncalfe, 1979;Wyllie, Morton and Owen, 1979;Cameron, Pearson, Richardson and Brade, 1990;van Steenbergen, Kanis and van der Steen, 1990). Specific comparisons of parameter estimates, particularly genetic correlations, from one study with those of another study are of limited value, as different breeds, management systems and diets will influence the parameters.…”

Selection for components of efficient lean growth rate in pigs 1. Selection pressure applied and direct responses in a Large White herd

“…Given variation in heritability estimates within a study, then variation is expected between-studies. For example, several heritability estimates for daily food intake have been reported, with a range of 0-1 to 0-3 (Wyllie, Morton and Owen, 1979;Vangen, 1980;Jungst et al, 1981;Standal and Vangen, 1985;de Haer and de Vries, 1993). Similarly, even though the selection criteria for lean growth of Vangen (1979), Cleveland et al (1982) and the current study were comparable, there was variation in heritability estimates, which were 049, 0-26 and 0-37, respectively.…”

Multivariate restricted maximum likelihood estimation of genetic parameters for growth, carcass and meat quality traits in French Large White and French Landrace pigs

“…All these studies used classical estimation methods such as parent-offspring regression or Henderson's methods (Henderson, 1953 (1980,1981) (Wyllie et al, 1979;Cameron et al, 1988). As suggested by Cameron (1990) Nilsson, 1979;Lundeheim et al, 1980;Ollivier, 1983;Andersen and Vestergaard, 1984;Busse and Groeneveld, 1986;Merks, 1987; Schworer et at, i987; Cole et al, 1988).…”