Association of MC4R and LEPR loci with reproductive performance and milk composition of sows
Journal Title: Animal Science Papers and Reports - Year 2015, Vol 33, Issue 3
Abstract
Porcine MC4R and LEPR gene polymorphisms have been implicated in traits associated with feed intake and carcass fatness. These genes could also indirectly regulate reproductive processes. The objective of this study was to determine the MC4R and LEPR effects on basic components of colostrum and milk from sows on their reproductive performance. The experiment was performed on 230 sows of breeds used in the breeding program as a maternal line: Polish Large White (PLW) and Polish Landrace (PL). The animals were maintained under the same feeding and housing conditions, according to the test station procedure and they were adapted for use as lactating sows. Colostrum and milk of sows were collected at 1, 7, 14 and 21 days of lactation to assay solids, total protein, fat and lactose. Data on piglet rearing performance were collected at 1, 7 and 21 days of lactation. The present study showed that MC4R and LEPR genes affected carcass fat deposition in sows and influenced production of nutrient-rich milk. Sows of the MC4RAA genotype, as well as sows of the LEPRBB genotype, characterized by a greater backfat thickness, produced colostrum with a lower content of fat, protein and solids. In addition, the fact that the investigated polymorphisms have no effect on piglet rearing results suggests that these markers could be used in selecting pigs for decreased backfat thickness, without fear of reducing the quality of milk and thereby piglet rearing performance.
Authors and Affiliations
Magdalena Szyndler-Nędza, Katarzyna Ropka-Molik
Effect of forage legumes on feed intake, milk production and milk quality – a review
Literature data from experiments with lactating dairy cows offered silage-based diets was reviewed to evaluate the effects of the grassland legume species Trifolium repens (WC, white clover), Trifolium pratense (RC, red...
The genetic relationship between reproduction traits and milk urea concentration
The aim of this research was to investigate the genetic relationship between reproduction traits and milk urea concentration (MU) during the first lactation of Polish Holstein-Friesian cows. The following reproduction tr...
Operant conditioning of dogs (Canis familiaris) for identification of humans using scent lineup
Training of dogs to distinguish individual human scent has no well-established scientific basis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the progress made over three consecutive training phases and to compare the training...
The concentration of free fatty acids in goat milk as related to the stage of lactation, age and somatic cell count
The study aimed at determining the concentration of free fatty acids (FFA) and some chemical and physical traits of goat milk as related to the stage of lactation, age and somatic cell count (SCC). Used were 60 Polish Wh...
Influence of combined supplementation of cows’ diet with linseed and fish oil on the thrombogenic and atherogenic indicators of milk fat
The study was conducted on Polish Holstein Black-and-White cows. From a herd of about 300 animals maintained in a free-stall dairy shed, two groups of 10 were selected by the analogue method: primiparous (P) and second-l...