The objective of this research was to identify genetic markers that would be predictive of first parity reproductive performance and rebreeding in an effort to improve the percentage of gilts retained for breeding that actually contribute to the breeding herd. Three commercial cooperators were identified and biological samples for 706 boars used in the industry, along with the performance data from their daughter’s first parity were acquired. Data from 123 boars used at USMARC were also included. Performance data analyzed were number born alive, number born dead, total number born and weaning to estrus interval. DNA was extracted from each boar and genotypic data were collected using the recently developed Illumina Porcine60K BeadChip. Genotypes were called for 59,895 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers spanning the entire porcine genome. Association analyses were performed to identify significant associations between SNP markers and performance traits. In total, 14 different genomic regions were associated with a measure of reproductive performance. Two locations were associated with number born dead, nine locations were associated with number born alive and two locations were associated with weaning to estrus interval. None of the regions appeared to be associated with measures of growth rate or backfat depth, so selection for improved reproduction would not be expected to result in poorer performance of market hogs. These results have the potential to improve first parity reproductive performance in commercial herds.
Gary Rohrer
Research Geneticist
US Meat Animal Research Center
PO Box 166
Clay Center, NE 68933
[email protected]
