ANS 431A - SWINE SYSTEMS > Genetics > Flashcards

Genetics Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the two primary factors that influence swine performance?

A

Genetics and Environment

Environment includes nutrition, health, facilities, and management practices.

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2
Q

What is the relationship between genetics and environment in swine performance?

A

(Performance) = Genetics + Environment

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3
Q

What is the primary focus of animal breeders regarding the domestic pig’s genome?

A

Capitalizing on the impressive variation

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4
Q

What was the genetic selection approach from 11,000 years ago to the mid-1900s?

A

Breed like to like; propagate same

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5
Q

What method was introduced in genetic selection from the mid-1900s through the 1980s?

A

Breed for desired genotypes using carefully measured phenotypes

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6
Q

What sophisticated method was used for selection from the 1980s through the 1990s?

A

Best Linear Unbiased Predictor (BLUP) computer models

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7
Q

What advancements in genetic selection occurred in the 1990s?

A

Marker-assisted selection and concentration of certain genes

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8
Q

What is the future direction of genetic selection in pigs?

A

Transgenic and Gene-edited pigs with specialized traits

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9
Q

Which breed is known for good muscling and is great for the sire side in breeding?

A

Hampshire

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10
Q

What are the characteristics of the Duroc breed?

A

Rugged, meaty, fast growing; good mothers but males used in crosses

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11
Q

Which breed is popular on the maternal side in crossbreeding programs?

A

Yorkshire

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12
Q

What distinguishes the Large White breed from the Yorkshire breed?

A

Different genetic base

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13
Q

What breed is similar to Duroc but has slower growth and more fat?

A

Chester White

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14
Q

What breed is known for being long-bodied and prolific with large floppy ears?

A

Landrace

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15
Q

Which breed has a color pattern of black with white points?

A

Poland China

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16
Q

What is the Spot breed derived from?

A

Polands that failed to adhere to color rules

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17
Q

What are the characteristics of the Berkshire breed?

A

Snub, turned up nose; black with white spots; fine grain of meat

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18
Q

What issues are associated with the Pietrain breed?

A

High muscling but susceptible to PSE problems and stress susceptibility

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19
Q

What is the origin of the Large Black breed?

A

British

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20
Q

What is unique about the Hereford breed in the context of swine?

A

Color markings similar to Hereford cattle; unique to USA

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21
Q

What notable trait does the Meishan breed have?

A

Reaches puberty at 3 months of age and noted for large litters

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22
Q

What is the goal of a genetics program in swine production?

A

Do not allow inferior genetics or mating system to limit production efficiency

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23
Q

What should be considered if genetics is the limiting factor in production performance?

A

Identify a better source of genetics

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24
Q

What is important regarding the mating system in swine performance?

A

Use the correct mating system that maximizes performance

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25
What health aspect must be ensured to avoid limiting performance?
Herd health
26
What may be required if herd health is limiting performance?
Herd depopulation and repopulation with healthy superior genetics
27
What should be understood when considering herd depopulation?
The costs of this choice
28
When relocating operations, what may be a good time to update?
Genetics and improve health
29
What are the genetic resources available for breeding?
Genetic resources include genetic suppliers, breeds or lines, and individual animals within the population.
30
What should you consider when choosing breeds or lines?
Choose the lines that excel for the traits that are important in your markets.
31
What is the selection differential?
The average of selected animals compared to the entire group of potential select animals.
32
What levels are involved in genetic selection?
Selection occurs at the Nucleus (GGP), Multiplier (GP), and Commercial (P) levels.
33
What is important in the selection process?
Ensure that selection is for traits important in your market and keep an eye on selection goals.
34
What should be considered when choosing mating systems?
Use a mating system that matches your management preference, maximizes heterosis, and utilizes breed complementarity.
35
What is the heritability of 'Number born alive'?
.10
36
What is the heritability of 'Days to market weight'?
.35
37
What traits should be included in a selection program?
Choose traits that economically impact the operation, such as number born alive and feed efficiency.
38
What is necessary for effective selection?
Equal opportunity, systematic measurement, environmental adjustments, and use of records.
39
What is the purpose of the National Swine Registry (NSR)?
To provide genetic evaluation and testing for breeds like Duroc, Hampshire, Landrace, and Yorkshire.
40
What data is recorded in the postweaning stage?
Weight, backfat, and loin muscle area of pigs scanned at or near 250 pounds.
41
What are the components of the STAGES program?
Records of ancestry, performance measurement, EBV estimation, public access to genetic rankings, and indexes for selection.
42
What data is recorded in the farrowing house?
Pedigree information, date farrowed, number born alive, number after transfer, and 21-day litter weight.
43
What are the types of mating systems?
Purebreeding and crossbreeding, with specific methods like inbreeding, linebreeding, and terminal systems.
44
What factors influence the choice of mating systems?
Health of herd, management level, cost, and other considerations.
45
What is Hybrid Vigor or Heterosis?
It refers to the phenomenon where crossbred individuals exhibit superior traits compared to their purebred parents.
46
Why maximize heterosis?
It is FREE; producers are wasting money if they do not take advantage of it. It affects traits involving fitness that influence profitability the most.
47
What traits are influenced by heterosis?
Conception rates, number born and number born alive, longevity, etc.
48
What is Breed Complementarity?
No breed of pigs is perfect for all traits; crossbreeding allows mixing breeds to create a more ideal breed mix.
49
What is an ideal crossbreeding plan?
It mixes breeds that complement each other, offsetting weaker characteristics of one breed with the strong points of another.
50
Which breed excels in meat quality?
Berkshire.
51
Which breed is known for number born alive and meat quality?
Chester White.
52
Which breed excels in growth and meat quality?
Duroc.
53
Which breed is known for carcass cutability?
Hampshire and Pietrain.
54
Which breed excels in milking ability and number born alive?
Landrace.
55
Which breed is known for boar libido?
Poland China and Spotted.
56
Which breed excels in number born alive and growth rate?
Yorkshire.
57
What are ESR Genes?
These genes influence ovulation rate in pigs, with each copy adding about one pig born alive per litter.
58
What is the K88 Adherence Gene?
It helps pigs resist E. coli infections by preventing the bacteria from attaching to the intestinal wall.
59
What is the benefit of lacking the K88 antigen?
Pigs that lack the K88 antigen have fewer problems with scours from E. coli.
60
What is the dominant coat color in pigs?
White coat color is dominant, and the gene is located on chromosome 8.
61
What is PICment?
A trademark for the test that ensures sows with this gene have all white offspring, regardless of the sire's color.
62
What does PSE stand for?
Pale Soft and Exudative.
63
What is Atresia ani?
A condition where a pig is born without an anus or rectum, which is heritable with low penetrance.
64
What are the two types of Porcine Stress Syndrome genes?
Napole (RN) and Halothane (HAL)
65
What is the inheritance pattern of the RN allele?
RN is a dominant allele (RN-) and a recessive allele (rn+) that is simply inherited on one locus.
66
How does the RN allele affect muscle pH?
The RN- reduces the ultimate pH of the muscle, which reduces water holding capacity (WHC) and increases purge, especially in the ham and loin.
67
What is the mutation associated with HAL?
HAL is a mutation on chromosome 6 of the pig at nucleotide 1843.
68
What are the effects of the HAL mutation?
It increases lean meat content but enhances PSE and PSS.
69
What does PSS stand for?
Porcine Stress Syndrome, which indicates that the animal lacks the ability to adapt to stress.
70
How is HAL inherited?
HAL is inherited from a single locus and has two alleles: N (normal) and n (mutant).
71
What are the three possible genotypes for HAL?
NN (normal), Nn (carrier), nn (mutant - stress positive).
72
What percentage of carriers produce inferior muscle pork quality?
30-50% of carriers will produce inferior muscle pork quality.
73
Is all poor pork quality due to HAL?
No, about 20% of poor pork quality was negative for HAL.
74
What is the worst genetic condition for PSS?
The worst condition is homozygous recessive for HAL and RN.
75
What are the characteristics of carcasses from homozygous recessive pigs?
They produce carcasses that are watery, chewy, and undesirable.
76
How do heterozygous pigs affect stress?
Heterozygous pigs don’t show signs but carry the potential for stress.
77
What problems can stress genes cause?
Either homozygous or heterozygous will cause problems either in transit or at the packing plant.
78
What should be considered if stress genes are present in the herd?
Look at them as though they are strictly terminal, yet try to stay away from them.
79
Which organization claims to have the first stress-free herds?
Nebraska SPF claims that they were the first to have stress-free herds.
80
Which club was the first to take a stand against the stress gene?
The American Yorkshire Club.
81
What was required for a York boar to be registered?
Any York boar used for AI or natural had to be tested by DNA test and be free in order to be registered.
82
Which associations followed the American Yorkshire Club in passing similar rules?
Duroc & Chester White Associations were second and third to pass similar rules.
ANS 431A - SWINE SYSTEMS
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