J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1975. 40:29-37.
© 1975 American Society of Animal Science
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Maternal Heterosis in Swine: Reproductive Performance and Dam Productivity1

R. K. Johnson and I. T. Omtvedt2

Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, Stillwater and U. S. Department of Agriculture, El Reno 74074

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to estimate the heterosis of crossbred gilts for ovulation rate and the maternal heterosis of crossbred gilts for dam productivity. A total of 470 gilts were saved for breeding of which 72 were considered reproductive failures. Estimates of heterosis were made from 193 pregnant gilts slaughtered 30 days postbreeding (106 crossbred and 87 purebred) and 192 litters farrowed (98 three-breed and 94 two-breed cross).

The reproductive failure rate for all gilts was 15.3% with there being very little difference between purebred and crossbred gilts. Estimates of heterosis for ovulation rate were not significantly different from zero, although crossbred gilts of all breed groups consistently had fewer corpora lutea per gilt than purebreds (13.48 vs 13.03). The embryo survival rate for embryos from crossbred gilts was 9.52 ± 3.23% higher than for embryos from purebred gilts. No other estimate of maternal heterosis for traits measured on gilts slaughtered 30 days postbreeding was significantly different from zero, although crossbred gilts consistently had more embryos per litter 30 days postbreeding (10.77 vs 9.95).

Footnotes

1 Journal Article 2752 of the Agricultural Experiment Station, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater. Research conducted by the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry (Project 1444) in cooperation with the U.S.D.A. Agricultural Research Service, Southern Region.

2 Present address: Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn University, Auburn 36830.






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Copyright © 1975 by the American Society of Animal Science.