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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Livestock Bio-Systems » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #102372
Title: COMPARISON OF PLASMA FSH CONCENTRATION IN BOARS AND GILTS FROM LINES SELECTED FOR OVULATION RATE AND EMBRYONIC SURVIVAL, AND LITTER SIZE AND ESTIMATION OF (CO)VARIANCE COMPONENTS FOR FSH AND OVULATION RATE

Author
item CASSADY, J - UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA
item JOHNSON, RODGER - UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA
item Ford, Johny

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/11/2000
Publication Date: 6/20/2000
Citation: Cassady, J.P., Johnson, R.K., Ford, J.J. 2000. Comparison of plasma FSH concentration in boars and gilts from lines selected for ovulation rate and embryonic survival, and litter size and estimation of (co)variance components for FSH and ovulation rate. Journal of Animal Science. 78(6)1430-1435.

Interpretive Summary: Plasma concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were determined during pubertal development in male and female pigs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of plasma FSH concentrations to subsequent ovulation rate of progeny produced by these pigs. Based on the observations from this study, selection for increased plasma FSH concentrations would be a practical method for increasing ovulation rate in pigs of this genetic line without using surgical observations. If these relationships hold in other lines of pigs, this provides a method for the swine industry to improve number of ovulations.

Technical Abstract: The objective was to determine whether circulating plasma concentration of FSH is genetically correlated with ovulation rate and thus, a useful indirect selection trait. A single blood sample was collected from each pig between 46 to 63 (d58), 86 to 98 (d90), 110 to 133 (d124), and 147 to 153 (d150) days of age. Heritabilities for ovulation rate and circulating plasma concentration of FSH at d58, d90, d124, and d150 were .28, .41, .25, .12, and 0, respectively. Genetic correlations between ovulation rate and d58, d90, and d124 circulating plasma concentration of FSH were .31, .23, and 0, respectively. Line I gilts had greater estimated breeding values for circulating plasma concentration of FSH at d58 and d90 than Line C gilts (P<.01). Line COL gilts had greater estimated breeding values for circulating plasma concentration of FSH at d58 than Line C2 gilts (P<.01). Line I boars had greater estimated breeding values for circulating plasma concentration of FSH at d90 than Line C boars (P<.05). Even though genetic correlations were low, selection for increased circulating plasma concentration of FSH was estimated to be 93% as effective in changing ovulation rate as direct selection because selection can be practiced in both sexes. Thus, selection for increased circulating plasma concentration of FSH appears to be a practical method for increasing ovulation rate in pig breeding programs without using laparoscopy.