title: Genetic parameter estimates among scale activity score and farrowing disposition with reproductive traits in swine.
abstract: The primary objective of this study was to determine if certain behavior traits were genetically correlated with reproduction. If 1 or both of the behavior traits were found to be correlated, a secondary objective was to determine if the behavior traits could be useful in selecting for more productive females. A scale activity score taken at 5 mo of age and a farrowing disposition score taken at farrowing were selected as the behavioral traits. Scale activity score ranged from 1 to 5 and farrowing disposition ranged from 1 to 3. Reproductive traits included age at puberty, number born alive, number born dead, litter birth weight, average piglet birth weight, number weaned, litter weaning weight, average weaning weight, wean-to-estrus interval, ovulation rate including gilts, and postweaning ovulation rate. Genetic correlations between scale activity score and reproduction ranged from -0.79 to 0.61. Three of the correlations, number born alive (P < 0.01), average piglet birth weight (P < 0.001), and wean-to-estrus interval (P = 0.014), were statistically significant but included both favorable and antagonistic correlations. In contrast, all but 1 of the farrowing disposition correlations was favorable and ranged from -0.66 to 0.67. Although only the correlation with litter birth weight was significant (P = 0.018), the consistent favorable direction of all farrowing disposition correlations, except average weaning weight, shows a potential for inclusion of farrowing disposition into a selection program.
authors.affiliation: US Meat Animal Research Center, USDA-ARS, Clay Center, NE 68933, USA. Jim.Schneider@ARS.USDA.Gov
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Rempel
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Rohrer
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Brown-Brandl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D008098:Litter Size / Q000235:genetics; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011247:Pregnancy; D019655:Quantitative Trait, Heritable; D012098:Reproduction / Q000235:genetics*; D013552:Swine / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology