Introduction of various vietnamese indigenous pig breeds and their conservation by using assisted reproductive techniques.
Pigs are one of the most important domesticated animals in Vietnam. They are the main source of meat for the Vietnamese. According to FAO statistics, Vietnam is among the top 5 countries raising pigs in the world, with nearly 27 million hogs. This review article introduces the distribution, morphology, growth potential, meat-producing ability and reproductive efficiency of six Vietnamese indigenous pig breeds: I, Mong Cai, Muong Khuong, Soc, Meo and Co. The collected data showed that these Vietnamese pigs are less effective in comparison with Western pigs in terms of reproductive and meat-producing ability as well as weight growth. However, these Vietnamese indigenous breeds have some special characteristics, such as very early sexual maturity, and good adaptability to harsh raising conditions or poor feeding. Moreover, recent genetic research has shown that Vietnamese pigs are genetically diverse. Thus, conservation of these pig breeds using assisted reproductive techniques is urgent and important.
Dang-Nguyen
Thanh Quang
TQ
Department of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, National Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, Japan.
Tich
Nguyen Khac
NK
Nguyen
Bui Xuan
BX
Ozawa
Manabu
M
Kikuchi
Kazuhiro
K
Manabe
Noboru
N
Ratky
Jozsef
J
Kanai
Yukio
Y
Nagai
Takashi
T
D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000502:physiology; D008460:Meat; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000502:physiology; D013552:Swine / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D014744:Vietnam