Effect of estrogen receptor, follicle stimulating hormone and myogenin genes on the performance of Large White sows

Abstract

The study was designed to determine the associations between the Estrogen Receptor Gene (<i>ESR - PvuII</i>), Follicle Stimulating Hormone Gene (<i>FSHB - HaeIII</i>) and Myogenin Gene (<i>MYOG - MspI</i>) with traits characterizing the sow efficiency comprehensively. Concretely, the age of the first conception (AFC), service period (SP), insemination interval (InI), total number of piglets born (TNB), number of piglets born alive (NBA), number of piglets weaned (NW), lean meat content (LMC), backfat thickness (BFT) and average daily gain (ADG) were included in the study. Significant effects of <i>ESR</i> and <i>FSHB</i> genes on litter size (particularly in the second parity) and on reproduction traits were found in the investigated population. The influence of <i>MYOG</i> gene on reproduction traits was observed but there was no effect of this gene on litter size. None of the included genes had an effect on growth traits. The results outline the possible application of the above-mentioned genes in selection of Large White sows.