Life expectancy and productive qualities of sows of different genotypes by the melanocortin 4 receptor gene (MS4R)

Abstract

Goal. To investigate the polymorphism of the melanocortin 4 (MS4R) receptor gene and its relationship with life expectancy, duration of breeding use, and reproductive qualities of sows of Large white breed of Hungarian origin, as well as to calculate the level of correlation links between traits and economic efficiency of using ani­mals of different genotypes. Methods. Genetic and statistical research methods were used to study the indicators of life expectancy, duration of breeding use, reproductive qualities of sows, polymorphism of the melanocortin 4 receptor gene (MS4R), and biometric processing of the obtained data, zootechnical. Results. It was established that in sows of Large white breed of Hungarian origin, the frequency of occurrence of alleles A and G was 0.54 and 0.46, and the frequency of genotypes AA, AG, and GG was 0.37, 0.35, and 0.28, respectively. It was found that sows of the III (MC4RAG) experimental group in terms of life expectancy were dominated by peers of the II (MC4RGG) and I (MC4RAA) groups at 7.4 (td = 1.03) and 2.5 months (td = 0.32), and in terms of the duration of breeding use — at 9.2 (td = 1.20) and 6.8 months (td = 1.05). Between sows III (MC4RAG) and I (MC4RAA) experimental groups, they established a significant difference in multiple fertility (0.8 goals, td = 2.58), nest weight at the time of weaning at the age of 30 days (6.8 kg, td = 3.54), and Yu.D. Shatalina index (4.89 points, td = 3.79). Coefficients of phenotypic consolidation (K1 and K2) of multiple fertility and nest weight at the time of weaning at the age of 30 days in sows of different genotypes by the melanocortin 4 receptor gene (MC4R) ranged from — 0.002 to +0.304. The maximum increase in additional products was obtained from sows of Large white breed of Hungarian origin of the third experimental group (MC4RAG). It was + 5.75%, and its cost was + 197.24 UAH/animal/farrowing. Conclusions. Analysis of absolute life expectancy and breeding use, reproductive qualities, and cost-effectiveness of using sows of different genotypes by the melanocortin 4 receptor gene (MC4R) suggests that the use of DNA markers is an effective method for early prediction and selection of high-yield animals. Because of this, they propose to use the following breeding schemes in the controlled population of pigs of a Large white breed of Hungarian origin: MC4RAA × MC4RGG, MC4RAG × MC4RGG.