Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/27395
Title: Reaction norm analysis of pig growth using environmental descriptors based on alternative traits
Contributor(s): Guy, Sarita Zhe Ying  (author)orcid ; Li, Li  (author)orcid ; Thomson, Peter Campbell (author); Hermesch, Susanne  (author)orcid 
Publication Date: 2019-05
Early Online Version: 2019-03-15
DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12388
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/27395
Abstract: Contemporary group (CG) estimates of different phenotypes have not been widely explored for pigs. The objective of this study was to extend the traits used to derive environmental descriptors of the growing pig, to include CG estimates of early growth between birth and start of feed intake test (EADG), growth during feed intake test (TADG), lifetime growth (ADG), daily feed intake (DFI), backfat (BF) and muscle depth (MD). Pedigree and performance records (n = 7,746) from a commercial Australian piggery were used to derive environmental descriptors based on CG estimates of these six traits. The CG estimates of growth traits described different aspects of the environment from the CG estimates of carcass traits (r < 0.10). These definitions of the environment then were used in reaction norm analysis of growth, to evaluate sire-by-environment interaction (Sire × E) for growth. The most appropriate reaction norm model to evaluate Sire × E for growth was dependent on the environmental descriptor used. If the trait used to derive an environmental descriptor was distinctly different from growth (e.g., BF and MD), CG as an additional random effect was required in the model. If not included, inflated common litter effect and sire intercept variance suggest there was unaccounted environmental variability. There was no significant Sire × E using any of the definitions of the environment, with estimated variance in sire slopes largest when environments were defined by BF (σ²bi = 97 ± 83 (g/day)²), followed by environments defined by DFI (σ²bi = 39 ± 101 (g/day)²). While there appears to be differences in ability to detect Sire × E, improved data structure is required to better assess these environmental descriptors based on alternative traits. The ideal trait, or combination of traits, used to derive environmental descriptors may be unique for individual herds. Therefore, multiple phenotypes should be further explored for the evaluation of Sire × E for growth in the pig.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics, 136(3), p. 153-167
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Verlag GmbH
Place of Publication: Germany
ISSN: 1439-0388
0931-2668
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 070201 Animal Breeding
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 300305 Animal reproduction and breeding
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 830308 Pigs
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 100410 Pigs
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU)
Journal Article

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