New phenotypes for new breeding goals in pigs.

Pig breeders in the past have adopted their breeding goals according to the needs of the producers, processors and consumers and have made remarkable genetic improvements in the traits of interest. However, it is becoming more and more challenging to meet the market needs and expectations of consumers and in general of the citizens. In view of the current and future trends, the breeding goals have to include several additional traits and new phenotypes.

Do CASA systems satisfy consumers demands? A critical analysis.

Boar studs are often offered new technologies including several CASA (computer-assisted semen analysis) systems. However, independent information to assist their purchase decisions is not available. The systems accuracy and repeatability variation because of different factors can be evaluated through duplicate testing of semen samples and comparison of the results according to WHO standards for humans.

A genome-wide association study on androstenone levels in pigs reveals a cluster of candidate genes on chromosome 6.

Background: In many countries, male piglets are castrated shortly after birth because a proportion of un-castrated male pigs produce meat with an unpleasant flavour and odour. Main compounds of boar taint are androstenone and skatole. The aim of this high-density genome-wide association study was to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with androstenone levels in a commercial sire line of pigs.

Sow line differences in heat stress tolerance expressed in reproductive performance traits.

The objectives of this study were 1) to investigate if there were differences in the relation between temperature and reproductive performance traits in 2 different sow lines, a Yorkshire line producing mainly in temperate climates and a Large White line producing mainly in warm climates, and 2) to determine the upper critical temperature (UCT) for the reproductive performance of these 2 lines. Sows are exposed to heat stress when temperature exceeds the UCT of the thermo-neutral zone. Data included 32,631 observations on reproductive performance from 11,935 sows on 20 farms in Spain, collected from 2003 to 2005.

[Risk factors of contamination of pig farms in the Netherlands with pig diseases and agents thereof: a review of the literature].

Part of the project 'Clean pigs' an extensive study of literature was made of the risk factors related to the introduction of pathogenic micro-organisms in pigfarms in the Netherlands. On the basis of this study of literature and in close cooperation with the experts of the steering group of the project 'Clean pigs' a number of risk factors relevant for the Dutch pig farming were estimated. The impact of these risk factors on the introduction of the most important pig diseases/-agents in Dutch pig farming was quantified for three different levels of preventive measures.

[Improved pig health with farm management systems. Project 'Beautiful stream of pigs' 21].

As part of the project 'Clean pigs', an inventory was made of the different pig farm management systems described in the literature. These systems were evaluated for their potential use in improving animal health, focusing on the pathogens important in the Netherlands. The most promising systems for the control and/or eradication of pig pathogens in the Netherlands can be divided into two groups (with decreasing effect): I.