Analysis of stillbirth in different lines of pig

Abstract In order to examine genetic influences on stillbirth in the pig, records of 7817 litters, originating from two purebred dam lines (D1 and D2), one purebred sire line (S), and one two-way cross (D12), were analyzed. For each litter, number of stillbirths, parity of the dam, gestation length (GL), total number of piglets born (TNB), average birth weight of the litter (ABW), variation in birth weight within the litter (VBW) and preweaning mortality rate (PWM) were recorded. After adjustment for ABW, there were no significant line differences in both average birth weight of stillborn and live-born piglets. Number of stillbirths per litter did not differ between lines, neither before nor after adjustment for GL, TNB, ABW and VBW, but was significantly influenced by GL, TNB and ABW, and not by VBW. Number of stillborn piglets per litter increased with decreasing GL, increasing TNB and decreasing ABW. On average, number of stillborn piglets increased between the second and the fifth parity. After adjustment for number of live-born piglets per litter, there was a significant positive relationship between number of stillborn piglets per litter and number of live-born piglets that died before weaning. In conclusion, no line differences in stillbirth were found, but significant line differences in the relation of stillbirth with GL, TNB and ABW indicate a small underlying genetic influence. The positive relationship of number of stillbirths with preweaning mortality of live-borns indicates an overall lower viability of litters in which stillbirths occur.

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