A genome-wide association study to detect genetic variation for postpartum dysgalactia syndrome in five commercial pig breeding lines.

Postpartum dysgalactia syndrome (PDS) in sows is an important disease after parturition with a relevant economic impact, affecting the health and welfare of both sows and piglets. The genetic background of this disease has been discussed and its heritability estimated, but further genetic analyses are lacking in detail. The aim of the current study was to detect loci affecting the susceptibility to PDS through a genome-wide association approach.

The role of bacterial pathogens in coliform mastitis in sows.

Even in modern piglet production, mastitis and lactation failure in sows represent a considerable health problem post partum, affecting in its consequences both the sow and her piglets. Known as a multifactorial syndrome, Mastitis-Metritis-Agalactia (MMA) has been topic of several studies investigating possible influencing factors at farm and sow level in the recent past. However, there is a lack of current investigations on the causative pathogens, especially with advanced laboratory methods and with an adequate control group of healthy animals.

Estimation of variance components for postpartum dysgalactia syndrome in sows.

The postpartum dysgalactia syndrome (PDS) represents one of the most important diseases after parturition in sows. The genetic background of the disease has been investigated some time ago and heritability estimates around 0.10 have been obtained.

Pigs' aggressive temperament affects pre-slaughter mixing aggression, stress and meat quality.

Pre-slaughter stress has a negative impact on animal welfare and on meat quality. Aggressive behaviour when pigs are mixed together for transportation to, or on arrival at, the abattoir is an important factor in pre-slaughter stress. Aggressiveness of pigs varies between individuals in the population, and this study investigated its effects on stress and meat quality at slaughter.

Associations of DNA markers with meat quality traits in pigs with emphasis on drip loss.

Phenotypic information on 1155 market pigs for several pig meat quality traits, was collected. Genotypes on 12 DNA markers, including RYR1 and PRKAG3 I199V, were also obtained on all pigs to investigate the relationship between genetic markers and meat quality. The RYR1 gene had the highest impact on meat quality, however, several other markers showed significant effects on one or more traits.