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Stillbirth rates and their association with swine leucocyte antigen class II haplotypes in Microminipigs
Noriaki Imaeda1, Asako Ando2, Tatsuya Matsubara1
1Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
Objective:
Microminipig (MMP) is a miniature pig with an extra small body size for experimental use. In the present study, the occurrence of stillbirths and their genetic association with swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) class II haplotypes were evaluated in a population of MMPs.
Methods:
The occurrences of stillbirth and genetic association with SLA class II haplotypes using 483 stillborn and 2,246 live piglets, and their parents were compared among the three groups of newborn piglet litters; an all stillborn (AS) group consisting of only stillborn piglet litters, a partial stillborn (PS) group consisting of stillborn and live piglet litters, and an all alive (AA) group consisting of only live piglet litters.
Results:
The incidence of stillborn piglets was 483/2,729 (17.7%). Distributions of litter sizes, numbers of stillborn piglets in a litter, parities, and gestation periods were distinct among the three groups. The frequencies of low resolution haplotype (Lr)-0.7 or Lr-0.23 were higher in the AS group than in the PS or AA groups. In sires, the frequency of Lr-0.7 associated with the AS group was significantly higher in the AS group than with the AA group. In dams, the frequency of Lr-0.23 was significantly higher in the AS group than in the PS or AA groups, whereas the frequency of Lr-0.7 was not significantly different.
Conclusion:
The incidence of stillborn piglets in MMPs appears to be higher than those in other pig breeds. Several traits related with stillbirths such as the number of stillborn piglets and parities of the AS group were different from those of the PS and AA groups. Specific SLA class II haplotypes were associated significantly with a high incidence of stillbirths and could be used as genetic markers to adopt breeding strategies to lower the rate of stillbirth in MMPs.
Insights
Stillbirths in microminipigs (MMPs) occurred at a high incidence (17.7%). Specific swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) class II haplotypes, particularly Lr-0.7 and Lr-0.23, were significantly associated with increased stillbirth rates in MMP litters.
Area of Science:
- Animal Genetics
- Reproductive Biology
- Veterinary Science
Background:
- Microminipigs (MMPs) are valuable experimental models due to their small size.
- High stillbirth rates can impact the efficiency of MMP breeding programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of stillbirths in MMPs.
- To determine the genetic association between stillbirths and swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) class II haplotypes.
Main Methods:
- A comparative analysis was performed on three groups of newborn piglet litters: all stillborn (AS), partial stillborn (PS), and all alive (AA).
- Data included litter size, number of stillborn piglets, parity, and gestation period.
- Swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) class II haplotype frequencies were analyzed in relation to stillbirth occurrence.
Main Results:
- The overall incidence of stillborn piglets was 17.7%.
- Distinct differences in litter traits were observed among the AS, PS, and AA groups.
- Frequencies of specific haplotypes (Lr-0.7 and Lr-0.23) were significantly higher in the AS group compared to the PS and AA groups.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of stillbirth in MMPs is notably high compared to other pig breeds.
- Specific SLA class II haplotypes are significantly associated with increased stillbirth rates in MMPs.
- These identified haplotypes can serve as genetic markers for developing breeding strategies to reduce stillbirth incidence in MMP populations.
