The footprint of recent and strong demographic decline in the genomes of Mangalitza pigs

Altres ajuts: The authors also acknowledge the support of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitivity for the Center of Excellence Severo Ochoa 2016-2019 (SEV-2015-0533) grant awarded to the Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG). Tainã Figueiredo Cardoso was funded with a fellowship from the CAPES Foundation-Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education, Ministry of Education of the Federal Government of Brazil. Thanks also to the CERCA Programme of the Generalitat de Catalunya.The Mangalitza pig breed has suffered strong population reductions due to competition with more productive cosmopolitan breeds. In the current work, we aimed to investigate the effects of this sustained demographic recession on the genomic diversity of Mangalitza pigs. By using the Porcine Single Nucleotid Polymorphism BeadChip, we have characterized the genome-wide diversity of 350 individuals including 45 Red Mangalitza (number of samples; n=20 from Hungary and n=25 from Romania), 37 Blond Mangalitza, 26 Swallow-belly Mangalitza, 48 Blond Mangalitza × Duroc crossbreds, 5 Bazna swine, 143 pigs from the Hampshire, Duroc, Landrace, Large White and Pietrain breeds and 46 wild boars from Romania (n=18) and Hungary (n=28). Performance of a multidimensional scaling plot showed that Landrace, Large White and Pietrain pigs clustered independently from Mangalitza pigs and Romanian and Hungarian wild boars. The number and total length of ROH (runs of homozygosity), as well as FROH coefficients (proportion of the autosomal genome covered ROH) did not show major differences between Mangalitza pigs and other wild and domestic pig populations. However, Romanian and Hungarian Red Mangalitza pigs displayed an increased frequency of very long ROH (>30 Mb) when compared with other porcine breeds. These results indicate that Red Mangalitza pigs underwent recent and strong inbreeding probably as a consequence of severe reductions in census size

Meat quality traits of M. longissimus lumborum from White Mangalica and (Duroc x White Mangalica) x White Mangalica pigs reared under intensive conditions and slaughtered at about 180-kg live weight

The objective of the study was to evaluate the meat quality of the Serbian autochthonous White Mangalica pure bred pig and its crossbreed with Duroc. A total of 24 pigs [White Mangalica WM, n = 12, and (Duroc x White Mangalica) x White Mangalica) - (DWM)WM, n = 12)] were slaughtered on average 638 and 509 d of age, respectively. Colour and marbling score, and all physical (pH, instrumental colour and water holding capacity) and chemical (proximate and mineral composition and fatty acids profile) analyses were performed on M. Iongissimus lumborum. Pork from WM had higher marbling score and intramuscular fat content and was redder in colour than from (DWM)WM; while opposite was determined for moisture content. In intramuscular fat, WM had higher content of oleic acid as well as total monounsaturated fatty acids than (DWM)WM, while (DWM)WM had higher linoleic and arachidonic acids as well as total polyunsaturated fatty acids content. Inclusion of 25% Duroc gave pork with lower content of iron, copper and manganese. In summary, irrespective of differences in some particular traits White Mangalica crossbreds can represent a good alternative to pure White Mangalica without worsening the meat quality

Qualitative properties of traditionally produced dry fermented sausages from meat of the autochthonous Mangalitsa pig breed

The interest in autochthonous meat products from local pig breeds managed in comprehensive, sustainable breeding programs is expanding in Europe. Dry fermented sausages in Serbia and other southern European countries are highly appreciated food specialties. It is, therefore, desirable that study attempts to improve the quality of food and the security of traditional, dry sausages will result in products that are of higher added value and have quality standards that best meet the needs of contemporary customers. Meat and meat products from traditional pig breeds usually have an excellent public and media reputation, and are often regarded as better than the meat and meat products of conventionally raised pigs and crossbreed pigs. Traditional, dry fermented sausages, with their characteristic chemical contents and sensory properties, can be produced with suitable proportions of meat and backfat from the indigenous Mangalitsa pig breed. These outcomes should hopefully encourage the sustainable breeding of endangered Mangalitsa pigs, as there are market opportunities for kulen and sremska sausages

Reproductive Capacity of Mangalica pigs – What is the Reality?

History of Mangalica pig is dated back to the first half of 19th century, however some former information is available of Mangalica ancestors in the 18th century. This fatty pig breed attained its’ typical characteristics till the last quarter of 19th century and these features are still existing. Since Mangalica pigs were nearly extinguished after 1950’s the relevant scientific and practical knowledge also stepwise reduced. In the present overview we compare in detail the ancient and modern information on Mangalica reproduction. First estrous of Mangalica gilts was described at around age of 10 to 11 month. Actually, Mangalica gilts can come in heat as early as 7 to 8 months of age and, therefore can have their first farrowing at 11 to 12 months of age. It was reported that several dam lines had quite high litter-size (8-9 piglets) at the beginning of 20th century, however due to different selection scheme these lines disappeared. Fortunately, nowadays we can identify again such more prolific sows. Throughout comparison of old and modern knowledge of Mangalica reproductive biology we should conclude that respectful incorporation of valuable ancient knowledge has same importance as the newest data collected by the most sophisticated instrumentation and methods. Synthesis of them is necessary for the preservation of original genetic value and the market oriented production.A história do porco Mangalica remonta à primeira metade do século XIX, no entanto, há informação sobre os seus ascendentes no século XVIII. Este porco tipo “gordura” chegou às suas características típicas no último quarto do século XIX sendo que estas ainda se mantêm até hoje. Dado que os porcos Mangalica estavam praticamente extintos após os anos 50’s do século passado também foi reduzida a informação científica e conhecimento prático sobre a raça. Nesta revisão comparamos em detalhe informação antiga e moderna sobre a reprodução dos suínos Mangalica. Descrições antigas relatavam o primeiro cio das marrãs Mangalica aos 10-11 meses de idade. Efetivamente, as fêmeas Mangalica podem ter cios aos 7-8 meses de idade e, portanto, podem ter o seu primeiro parto com 11-12 meses. Há relatos que várias linhas “mãe” tinham ninhadas grandes (8-9 leitões) no início do século XX, no entanto, por causa de diferentes esquemas de seleção essas linhas desapareceram. Afortunadamente, hoje podemos identificar novamente essas porcas mais prolíficas. Através da comparação do conhecimento antigo e atual da biologia reprodutiva da Mangalica devemos concluir que a incorporação do conhecimento antigo válido tem a mesma importância que os novos dados obtidos com metodologias e instrumentos mais sofisticados. A sua síntese é necessária para a preservação do valor genético original e para a produção orientada para o mercado

Invited review: reproductive physiology in commercial and premium pig breeds – history of 30-year-long cooperation

Cooperation of the Hungarian Research Institute for Animal Breeding and Nutrition (ATK) with the German Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN) goes back many decades. In 1988 the two departments of reproductive biology began a joint project concerning on ovulation investigation in Landrace pigs. This joint project laid the foundation for further joint projects and has existed for almost 30 years. Over the years, the main focus has always been on the events of the female reproductive tract in pigs, i.e., follicular growth, ovulation, transport of gametes in the oviduct, fertilization and early embryonic development. Nearly all studies were done under in vivo circumstances and using different clinical and endocrinological methods, enabling us to obtain more profound knowledge of the dynamics of reproductive processes. Even results considered to be basic scientific achievements were available for utilization in the daily practice of porcine reproductive management. Since the end of the 1990s, the common projects have been gradually shifted to the physiology of the Hungarian indigenous pig breed Mangalica. Research partners were convinced that modern utilization of indigenous pig breeds would open new doors for premium pork production. In addition to the Mangalica breed, this principal was broadened to non-European fatty-type native pig breeds as well and resulted in long-term, intercontinental scientific cooperation