J. Anim Sci.
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Leenhouwers, J. I.
Right arrow Articles by van der Lende, T.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Leenhouwers, J. I.
Right arrow Articles by van der Lende, T.

Journal of Animal Science, Vol 79, Issue 6 1416-1422, Copyright © 2001 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Progress of farrowing and early postnatal pig behavior in relation to genetic merit for pig survival

J. I. Leenhouwers, C. A. de Almeida Junior, E. F. Knol and T. van der Lende
Animal Breeding and Genetics Group, Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands. jascha.leenhouwers@alg.vf.wag-ur.nl

The objective of this study was to investigate whether pigs with different genetic merit for survival differed in birth weight, progress of farrowing, early postnatal behavior, or rectal temperature within 24 h after birth. On a nucleus farm in Rio Verde, Brazil, information was collected on 280 pigs, originating from 25 litters with known estimated breeding values for pig survival (EBVps). Litters were selected in such a way that a continuous range of EBVps with a maximum genetic contrast was achieved. Birth weight was recorded for all pigs. Indicators for progress of farrowing were birth intervals and duration of farrowing. Behavioral indicators of pig vitality were time until first upright standing (FUS), time until first udder contact (FUC), time until first teat in mouth (FTM), and time until first colostrum uptake (FCU). Rectal temperature was measured within 24 h after birth. Farrowing survival and early postnatal survival (within 3 d after farrowing) were registered. Farrowing survival and early postnatal survival both increased with increasing EBVps (farrowing survival: P = 0.007; early postnatal survival: P = 0.027). Birth weight decreased with increasing EBVps (P = 0.01). Birth intervals tended to increase with increasing EBVps (P = 0.10) and duration of farrowing was not related to EBVps. Time until first teat in mouth increased with increasing EBVps (P = 0.05), but the other behavioral indicators of pig vitality were not related to EBVps. Rectal temperature within 24 h after birth was not related to EBVps. Pigs with a higher genetic merit for survival have a lower birth weight but nevertheless have an increased farrowing survival and early postnatal survival. Their increased survival cannot be explained by differences in progress of farrowing, early postnatal behavior, or rectal temperature within 24 h after birth.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J ANIM SCIHome page
H. Mesa, T. J. Safranski, K. M. Cammack, R. L. Weaber, and W. R. Lamberson
Genetic and phenotypic relationships of farrowing and weaning survival to birth and placental weights in pigs
J Anim Sci, January 1, 2006; 84(1): 32 - 40.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J ANIM SCIHome page
J. I. Leenhouwers, E. F. Knol, P. N. de Groot, H. Vos, and T. van der Lende
Fetal development in the pig in relation to genetic merit for piglet survival
J Anim Sci, July 1, 2002; 80(7): 1759 - 1770.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 2001 by the American Society of Animal Science.