Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Direct and Maternal Effects on Litter Size and Teat Numbers in Korean Seedstock Swine Population

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for total number of born (TNB), number of born alive (NBA) and teat numbers (TN) of Landrace and Yorkshire breeds in Korean swine population using multiple trait animal model procedures. Total numbers of 4,653 records for teat numbers and 8,907 records for TNB and NBA collected from 2004 to 2008 on imported breeding pigs and their litter size records were used in this study. To find the appropriate model for estimation of genetic parameters (heritabilities and genetic correlations), five statistical models(two models for reproductive traits, two models for teat numbers, one model for combining these traits) considering only direct additive genetic effects, including maternal effects were used and Akaike information criteria (AIC) of each two models for reproductive traits and teat trait were compared. The means and standard deviations of TNB, NBA, and TN were 11.52±3.34, 10.55±2.96 and 14.30±0.83, respectively. Estimated heritabilities for TNB and NBA traits using the model which considered only additive genetic effect were low (0.06 and 0.05, respectively). However, estimated heritabilities considering maternal genetic effects were a little bit higher than that of the model considering only additive genetic effect (0.09 for TNB and NBA, respectively). Estimated heritability for TN using the model which considered only additive genetic effect was 0.40. However, estimated heritability of direct genetic effects from a model considering maternal genetic effect was high (0.60). All results of AIC statistics, the models considering maternal effect was more appropriate than the models considering only additive genetic effect. Genetic correlations of direct additive genetic effect between litter size (TNB, NBA) and teat numbers were low (－0.18 and －0.14, respectively). However, genetic correlations of maternal effect between litter size (TNB, NBA) and teat numbers were a little bit higher than those of direct additive genetic effect (0.08 and 0.16, respectively).