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Genetic parameters of Vulva Traits and Impact of Vulva Scores on Gilts Culling in Large White Pigs
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  • Jin Zhou,
  • Qingbo Zhao,
  • Liming Xu,
  • Qian Liu,
  • Jinfeng Ma,
  • Jinqing He,
  • David S. Casey,
  • Lijing Zhong,
  • Guosheng Su,
  • Ruihua Huang,
  • Pinghua Li
Jin Zhou
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas of China
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Qingbo Zhao
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas of China
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Liming Xu
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas of China
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Qian Liu
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas of China
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Jinfeng Ma
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas of China
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Jinqing He
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas of China
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David S. Casey
PIC China
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Lijing Zhong
Jiangsu Lihua Animal Husbandry Co Ltd
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Guosheng Su
Aarhus University
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Ruihua Huang
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas of China
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Pinghua Li
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas of China

Corresponding Author:lipinghua718@njau.edu.cn

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Abstract

Vulva morphologies represent significant traits in pig production. Recent studies suggest vulva size can be predictive of the reproductive performance of gilts. We aimed to analyze the genetic parameters of vulva traits, including vulva length (VL), vulva width (VW), and vulva angle score (VAS), as well as litter traits, including total number born (TNB), number born alive (NBA), number stillborn (NS), and piglet survival rate (SR), across three Large White pig strains (PIC, Topigs, and Canadian). We estimated the correlations between vulva and litter traits, as well as the reasons for culling gilts. The heritabilities of vulva traits ranged from 0.167 to 0.426, whereas the heritability of litter traits ranged from 0.013 to 0.147. The VAS in Topigs Large White pigs exhibited the highest heritability. The genetic correlation coefficients between vulva length and width in PIC and Topigs Large White pigs were significantly positively correlated, ranged from 0.585 to 0.767. No significant correlation was found between vulva and litter traits. Subsequently, we scored the vulva traits according to previously reported studies. The average vulva width score of the gilts that were culled due to prolonged estrus was significantly lower (2.75) compared to that of gilts with normal estrus (2.90). In the population of gilts aged 220 to 230 days, the gilts with higher vulva angle scores had a lower risk of culling due to vulva inflammation with purulent discharge. The results suggest that selecting for vulva traits in replacement gilts is an effective strategy to reduce gilts culling rates.