Welfare assessment of pigs housed in two fattening systems

U suvremenom svinjogojstvu, uz postizanje zadovoljavajućih proizvodnih rezultata, naglasak je i na zaštiti dobrobiti životinja, pri čemu se ostvarena proizvodnost i razina dobrobiti svinja mogu razlikovati, ovisno o sustavu uzgoja. U ovom radu prikazani su rezultati procjene dobrobiti svinja držanih u različitim sustavima tova. Istraživanje je provedeno na dva obiteljska gospodarstva - farme za tov u Hrvatskoj. Na farmi A (kapaciteta 700 tovljenika) svinje se drže na polurešetkastom podu, a farmi B (kapaciteta 300 tovljenika) na punom podu koji se svakodnevno stelji i čisti. Dobrobit tovljenika procijenjena je na temelju Welfare Quality® protokola koji obuhvaća hranidbu, smještaj, zdravlje i ponašanje životinja. S obzirom na ukupnu razinu dobrobiti, između farmi nije utvrđena razlika te su obje kategorizirane kao prihvatljive. Sagledavajući vrijednosti načela i kriterija za procjenu dobrobiti, farme su se razlikovale u načelima Dobra hranidba (za koje je niža vrijednost utvrđena na farmi B zbog niže vrijednosti kriterija Izostanak dulje žeđi)i Prikladno ponašanje (viša vrijednost na farmi B, ponajprije zbog viših vrijednosti kriterija Izražavanje društvenog ponašanja i Pozitivno emocionalno stanje). Može se zaključiti da različiti sustavi tova mogu osigurati istu razinu dobrobiti svinja. Osim toga, rezultati istraživanja upućuju na zaključak da razlike u sustavu uzgoja ne treba temeljiti isključivo na načinu držanja životinja, već cjelokupnom upravljanju proizvodnjom.In addition to ensuring optimum production results, modern pig production also focuses on animal welfare protection, whereby pig productivity and welfare levels achieved may vary depending on the production system. This paper presents the results of welfare assessment of pigs kept in different fattening systems. The study was conducted at two family farms in Croatia. At farm A (capacity of 700 pigs) animals are housed on a semi-slatted floor, while at farm B (capacity of 300 pigs), pigs are kept on a solid floor bedded and cleaned daily. Pig welfare was assessed using the Welfare Quality® assessment protocol that addresses animal feeding, housing, health and behaviour. Regarding the overall welfare level, no differences were found between the farms and both farms were assigned to the category “Acceptable”. By observing the principle- scores and criterion-scores, the farms differed in the principles Good feeding (where farm B obtained a lower score due to lower score of the criterion Absence of prolonged thirst) and Appropriate behaviour (where farm B obtained a higher score primarily due to the higher scores of the criteria Expression of social behaviours and Positive emotional state). It can be concluded that different fattening systems may result in similar pig welfare levels. Additionally, the study results suggest that differences in the production system should not be based only on animal housing, but on overall farm management

Welfare assessment of pigs housed in two fattening systems

U suvremenom svinjogojstvu, uz postizanje zadovoljavajućih proizvodnih rezultata, naglasak je i na zaštiti dobrobiti životinja, pri čemu se ostvarena proizvodnost i razina dobrobiti svinja mogu razlikovati, ovisno o sustavu uzgoja. U ovom radu prikazani su rezultati procjene dobrobiti svinja držanih u različitim sustavima tova. Istraživanje je provedeno na dva obiteljska gospodarstva - farme za tov u Hrvatskoj. Na farmi A (kapaciteta 700 tovljenika) svinje se drže na polurešetkastom podu, a farmi B (kapaciteta 300 tovljenika) na punom podu koji se svakodnevno stelji i čisti. Dobrobit tovljenika procijenjena je na temelju Welfare Quality® protokola koji obuhvaća hranidbu, smještaj, zdravlje i ponašanje životinja. S obzirom na ukupnu razinu dobrobiti, između farmi nije utvrđena razlika te su obje kategorizirane kao prihvatljive. Sagledavajući vrijednosti načela i kriterija za procjenu dobrobiti, farme su se razlikovale u načelima Dobra hranidba (za koje je niža vrijednost utvrđena na farmi B zbog niže vrijednosti kriterija Izostanak dulje žeđi)i Prikladno ponašanje (viša vrijednost na farmi B, ponajprije zbog viših vrijednosti kriterija Izražavanje društvenog ponašanja i Pozitivno emocionalno stanje). Može se zaključiti da različiti sustavi tova mogu osigurati istu razinu dobrobiti svinja. Osim toga, rezultati istraživanja upućuju na zaključak da razlike u sustavu uzgoja ne treba temeljiti isključivo na načinu držanja životinja, već cjelokupnom upravljanju proizvodnjom.In addition to ensuring optimum production results, modern pig production also focuses on animal welfare protection, whereby pig productivity and welfare levels achieved may vary depending on the production system. This paper presents the results of welfare assessment of pigs kept in different fattening systems. The study was conducted at two family farms in Croatia. At farm A (capacity of 700 pigs) animals are housed on a semi-slatted floor, while at farm B (capacity of 300 pigs), pigs are kept on a solid floor bedded and cleaned daily. Pig welfare was assessed using the Welfare Quality® assessment protocol that addresses animal feeding, housing, health and behaviour. Regarding the overall welfare level, no differences were found between the farms and both farms were assigned to the category “Acceptable”. By observing the principle- scores and criterion-scores, the farms differed in the principles Good feeding (where farm B obtained a lower score due to lower score of the criterion Absence of prolonged thirst) and Appropriate behaviour (where farm B obtained a higher score primarily due to the higher scores of the criteria Expression of social behaviours and Positive emotional state). It can be concluded that different fattening systems may result in similar pig welfare levels. Additionally, the study results suggest that differences in the production system should not be based only on animal housing, but on overall farm management

Utjecaj porodne mase i dobi odojaka na eritrocitne pokazatelje

The preweaning period is the most critical phase in pig production. During that period the production parameters of small birth mass piglets are the poorest and losses are the heaviest. In this study red blood cell characteristics were investigated in suckling piglets of normal and small birth mass, regarding the various changes occurring after birth related to organ development, colostrum intake, degradation of fetal erythrocytes and parental globulins, acquirement of immunocompetence, environmental changes, stress, and other factors. The average values of erythrocyte numbers obtained in both groups of piglets after birth were below the lower threshold of the reference range for pigs and only reached it at 14 (piglets of normal birth mass) or at 21 days of age (small birth mass piglets). The average erythrocyte count at the end of the suckling period was significantly higher (P<0.01) than values established on the first day of life. The increase recorded is probably a result of accelerated erythropoesis in young animals after degradation of fetal erythrocytes. A significantly higher value (P<0.01) of hematocrits was recorded in both groups at the end of the suckling period in comparison with the first day. Only in the group of small birth mass piglets was there a statistically significant higher haemoglobin value (P<0.01) on the 21st day compared with the 1st day of life. All piglets had significantly lower values (P<0.01) of erythrocyte parameters (MCV, MCH and MCHC) at weaning than on the first day of life. Piglets of normal birth mass had significantly larger number of erythrocytes (P<0.05) and lower MCV value (P<0.05) at 7 days of age, and significantly lower MCV and MCH (P<0.01) in relation to low birth mass piglets at two weeks of age.Razdoblje sisanja u prasadi predstavlja presudnu fazu svinjogojske proizvodnje. U ovom istraživanju utvrđeni su hematološki pokazatelji odojaka od prasenja do odbića. Nakon prasenja dolazi do različitih promjena, koje su u vezi sa sazrijevanjem i razvojem organa, uzimanjem kolostruma, razgradnjom fetalnih eritrocita te majčinih globulina, stjecanjem imunokompetentnosti, okolišnim promjenama, utjecajem stresa i drugim čimbenicima. Dobivene vrijednosti prosječnog broja eritrocita odojaka nakon prasenja nalazile su se ispod, a tek u dobi od 14 dana unutar donje granice referentnog raspona za svinje. Prosječan broj eritrocita na kraju razdoblja sisanja bio je statistički značajno veći (P<0,01) od vrijednosti utvrđene prvog dana života. Ustanovljeni porast mogao bi biti posljedica ubrzane eritropoeze u novoprasene prasadi nakon razgradnje fetalnih eritrocita. Statistički značajno veća vrijednost (P<0,01) na kraju razdoblje sisanja, u odnosu na prvi dan utvrđena je i za vrijednost hematokrita. Zabilježene su i statistički značajno manje prosječne vrijednosti (P<0,01) eritrocitnih indeksa (MCV, MCH, MCHC) kod odbića nego prvog dana nakon prasenja

Učinak sanitacije vimena na higijensku kakvoću mlijeka krava

The aim of this investigation was to determine the significance of udder disinfection before and after milking on the hygienic quality of fresh raw milk in dairy cowherds subject to primary udder hygiene with water. The research was conducted on 4 farms with differing hygienic milk quality, during which three farms (experimental groups) were selected for the assessment of udder disinfection before and after milking and the fourth farm (control group) continued to implement primary hygiene with water in the preparation of udders before milking. The disinfection in the experimental group prior to milking was performed by immerging the teats in a special cup containing active foam, based on surface active compounds, organic acids and hydrogen peroxide and after milking by an agent containing skin care substance and 1.94% linear dodecyl-benzene sulphonic acid (LDBS). Seven individual samplings of milk were performed on each cow in a period of 3 months for determining microorganisms and somatic cells. The samples were delivered to the laboratory, where somatic cell and microorganism count/mL of milk were established with the use of standard methods. According to the data from three experimental groups, a slight decrease in the average somatic cell count and a statistically significant decline of average microorganism count (P<0.01; P<0.05) were recorded in fresh raw milk. Unlike this, the somatic cell count in the control group continually increased, reaching the level of statistical significance (P<0.01), and the microorganism count showed slight oscillations. It was concluded that a change from primary udder hygiene with water to teat disinfection before and after milking significantly decreases average somatic cell and microorganism counts in fresh raw milk and hence improves hygienic milk quality over a certain time period.Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi značajnost dezinfekcije vimena prije i poslije mužnje na higijensku kakvoću svježega sirova mlijeka u stadima mliječnih krava, gdje se dotada obavljala samo primarna higijena vimena s vodom. Istraživanje je provedeno na 4 obiteljska gospodarstva s različitom higijenskom kakvoćom mlijeka, pri čemu su za utvrđivanje učinka dezinfekcije vimena prije i poslije mužnje odabrana tri gospodarstva (pokusne skupine), a preostalo četvrto gospodarstvo nastavilo je u pripremi vimena za mužnju koristiti primarnu higijenu vodom (kontrolna skupina). Dezinfekcija prije mužnje na pokusnim skupinama obavljala se uranjanjem sisa u specijalnu čašu s aktivnom pjenom na osnovi površinski aktivnih tvari, organskih kiselina i vodikova peroksida, a dezinfekcija nakon mužnje uranjanjem sisa u sredstvo, koje uz supstanciju za njegu kože sadrži 1,94 %- tnu linearnu dodecyl-benzen-sulfonsku kiselinu (LDBS). Za određivanje somatskih stanica i mikroorganizama ukupno je uzeto sedam pojedinačnih uzoraka mlijeka od svake krave u istraživanju u razdoblju od 3 mjeseca. Nakon uzimanja uzorci su dostavljeni u laboratorij, gdje je standardnim metodama utvrđen broj somatskih stanica i mikroorganizama/ml mlijeka. Prema dobivenim podatcima u tri pokusne skupine zabilježeno je statistički značajno smanjenje oba pokazatelja: broj somatskih stanica smanjio se za 7,68 - 10,12%, a broj mikroorganizama za 23,02 - 24,07%. Za razliku od navedenog, broj somatskih stanica u kontrolnoj skupini je porastao tijekom promatranog razdoblja za 20,97%, uz manje kolebanja u broju mikroorganizama. Zaključeno je da prelazak s primarne higijene vimena vodom na dezinfekciju sisa prije i poslije mužnje kod krava znatno smanjuje prosječan broj somatskih stanica i mikroorganizama u svježem sirovom mlijeku i time poboljšava higijensku kakvoću mlijeka u određenom razdoblju

Promjene lipidnih peroksida i nekih antioksidansa u krvi goveda tijekom tova.

Blood lipid peroxides (TBARS) and naturally present blood antioxidants glutathione (GSH), haemoglobin (Hb) and plasma albumin (ALB) were determined in nine Simmental young bulls. Blood samples were taken five times. The animals were intensively fattened. Mean TBARS content showed a biphasic pattern in the course of growth with the highest value at 11.7 months of age. GSH content increased until the age of 8 months when the highest concentration was determined. Albumin and Hb concentrations were highest at 15.2 months of age. The main contributor to the significant increase and decrease of TBARS values could be the development of skeletal muscle tissue. Correlations among the parameters investigated were not significant in the course of growth, with the exception of GSH vice Hb at 5.4 months of age and TBARS vice Hb and TBARS vice ALB at 15.2 months of age. It might be concluded that the indicators of oxidant stress in young bulls were within the physiological range and that, possibly, blood natural antioxidants complemented each other.U punoj krvi devet simentalskih bičića određivani su lipidni peroksidi (TBARS), prirodni antioksidansi glutation (GSH) i hemoglobin (Hb), te albumin u plazmi. Životinje su bile u intenzivnom tovu. Prosječna koncentracija TBARS pokazivala je tijekom tova bifazno kretanje s najvišom vrijednosti u dobi životinja od 11,7 mjeseci. Koncentracija GSH je rasla do dobi od 8 mjeseci kada je utvrđena najviša vrijednost. Koncentracije albumina i Hb bile su najviše u dobi od 15,2 mjeseca. Pretpostavlja se da je razvoj i rast skeletnih mišića znatno pridonio signifikantnom porastu i smanjenju TBARS vrijednosti. Korelacije među istraživanim pokazateljima nisu bile signifikantne s izuzetcima GSH i Hb u dobi od 5,4 mjeseca, te TBARS i Hb uz TBARS i albumin u dobi životinja od 15,2 mjeseca. Zaključuje se da su se određivane vrijednosti pokazatelja oksidativnog stresa u bičića kretale unutar fizioloških granica, te da se prirodni antioksidansi u krvi nadopunjuju u djelovanju tijekom tova

Učinak sanitacije vimena na higijensku kakvoću mlijeka krava

The aim of this investigation was to determine the significance of udder disinfection before and after milking on the hygienic quality of fresh raw milk in dairy cowherds subject to primary udder hygiene with water. The research was conducted on 4 farms with differing hygienic milk quality, during which three farms (experimental groups) were selected for the assessment of udder disinfection before and after milking and the fourth farm (control group) continued to implement primary hygiene with water in the preparation of udders before milking. The disinfection in the experimental group prior to milking was performed by immerging the teats in a special cup containing active foam, based on surface active compounds, organic acids and hydrogen peroxide and after milking by an agent containing skin care substance and 1.94% linear dodecyl-benzene sulphonic acid (LDBS). Seven individual samplings of milk were performed on each cow in a period of 3 months for determining microorganisms and somatic cells. The samples were delivered to the laboratory, where somatic cell and microorganism count/mL of milk were established with the use of standard methods. According to the data from three experimental groups, a slight decrease in the average somatic cell count and a statistically significant decline of average microorganism count (P<0.01; P<0.05) were recorded in fresh raw milk. Unlike this, the somatic cell count in the control group continually increased, reaching the level of statistical significance (P<0.01), and the microorganism count showed slight oscillations. It was concluded that a change from primary udder hygiene with water to teat disinfection before and after milking significantly decreases average somatic cell and microorganism counts in fresh raw milk and hence improves hygienic milk quality over a certain time period.Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi značajnost dezinfekcije vimena prije i poslije mužnje na higijensku kakvoću svježega sirova mlijeka u stadima mliječnih krava, gdje se dotada obavljala samo primarna higijena vimena s vodom. Istraživanje je provedeno na 4 obiteljska gospodarstva s različitom higijenskom kakvoćom mlijeka, pri čemu su za utvrđivanje učinka dezinfekcije vimena prije i poslije mužnje odabrana tri gospodarstva (pokusne skupine), a preostalo četvrto gospodarstvo nastavilo je u pripremi vimena za mužnju koristiti primarnu higijenu vodom (kontrolna skupina). Dezinfekcija prije mužnje na pokusnim skupinama obavljala se uranjanjem sisa u specijalnu čašu s aktivnom pjenom na osnovi površinski aktivnih tvari, organskih kiselina i vodikova peroksida, a dezinfekcija nakon mužnje uranjanjem sisa u sredstvo, koje uz supstanciju za njegu kože sadrži 1,94 %- tnu linearnu dodecyl-benzen-sulfonsku kiselinu (LDBS). Za određivanje somatskih stanica i mikroorganizama ukupno je uzeto sedam pojedinačnih uzoraka mlijeka od svake krave u istraživanju u razdoblju od 3 mjeseca. Nakon uzimanja uzorci su dostavljeni u laboratorij, gdje je standardnim metodama utvrđen broj somatskih stanica i mikroorganizama/ml mlijeka. Prema dobivenim podatcima u tri pokusne skupine zabilježeno je statistički značajno smanjenje oba pokazatelja: broj somatskih stanica smanjio se za 7,68 - 10,12%, a broj mikroorganizama za 23,02 - 24,07%. Za razliku od navedenog, broj somatskih stanica u kontrolnoj skupini je porastao tijekom promatranog razdoblja za 20,97%, uz manje kolebanja u broju mikroorganizama. Zaključeno je da prelazak s primarne higijene vimena vodom na dezinfekciju sisa prije i poslije mužnje kod krava znatno smanjuje prosječan broj somatskih stanica i mikroorganizama u svježem sirovom mlijeku i time poboljšava higijensku kakvoću mlijeka u određenom razdoblju

THE GENETIC BASIS OF CHINCHILLAS\u27 COLOUR INHERITANCE

Činčila je južnoamerički glodavac koji se još uvijek većinom uzgaja radi krzna, iako se u pojedinim zemljama njihovo meso poslužuje kao specijalitet. U prirodi je gotovo iščeznula pa se njen opstanak održava farmskim uzgojem. Danas se uzgoj činčila za krzno zabranjuje u sve više zemalja, što je ustupilo mjesto uzgoju činčile kao kućnog ljubimca. Iznimno su čiste životinje te stoga i vrlo jednostavne za držanje i njegu. Vrlo su otporne te rijetko obolijevaju ukoliko se pravilno i redovito hrane, čiste i čuvaju u odgovarajućim uvjetima. Ovom glodavcu dlaka je izrazito meka i rastresita. Standardna boja je tamnosiva po leđima, dok je trbuh svijetlosiv do bijel. Dosadašnjim farmskim uzgojem selekcionirani su brojni mutanti tako da njihova dlaka može biti u različitim nijansama crne, bijele ili bež boje. Daljnjom kombinacijom tih mutanti dobivena je široka paleta danas postojećih boja krzna. Boja činčila ovisi o zastupljenosti pojedinih gena i njihovim kombinacijama, što je dovelo do pojave letalnih mutacija. Poznavajući genotip odgovoran za pojavu pojedine boje u ovih životinja, otvaraju nam se brojne mogućnosti u selekciji određenih boja kod potomaka. Na taj način zadovoljavaju se sve veće potrebe tržišta za činčilama kao kućnim ljubimcima pri čemu boja dlake ima značajnu ulogu kod njihova izbora.Chinchilla is a South American rodent, which is being bred primarily for its fur, although in some parts of the world their meat is served as a speciality. It is almost extinct in nature so its existence is being preserved by farm breeding. Breeding of chinchillas for fur is being banned in many countries all over the world, including Croatia, so chinchillas nowadays serve mostly as house pets. Chinchillas are very easy to keep at home because they are very clean animals. Also, they are very resistant to disease and rarely get ill if they are fed, cleaned and kept properly and regularly. This rodent has very soft and mealy fur. Standard colour is dark-grey on the back and light grey to white on the belly. Over the years, farm breeding has given us various mutant species so their fur colour can vary from black to white and beige. Further combining of these mutations created a whole pallet of today-existing colours in chinchillas. A chinchilla\u27s colour depends on its genes and various combinations, which led to emersion of lethal genes. By knowing the genotype responsible for specific colour variations in chinchillas, we have a whole spectre of possibilities in choosing the colour of offspring. By doing that, a growing demand for chinchillas as house pets on the market can be satisfied because the colour of the animal can play a huge role in choosing a house pet

INFLUENCE OF GENERAL CONDITIONS IN FARROWING PEN ON NEONATAL BEHAVIOUR IN PIGLETS

Prvih nekoliko dana nakon prasenja jedan je od najosjetljivijih perioda tijekom uzgoja sisajuće prasadi. Uz osiguravanje optimalnih temperaturnih vrijednosti i smještajnih uvjeta u prasilištu, za preživljavanje prasadi neophodno je i razumijevanje njihovog neonatalnog vladanja. Prasad svojim osjetilima vrlo brzo nakon poroda uspostavlja komunikaciju s majkom, a unutar legla se razvija društvena organizacija pri kojoj svako prase osvaja „svoju“ bradavicu koju zadržava do kraja dojnog razdoblja. Zbog slabo razvijenog termoregulacijskog mehanizma, prasad su vrlo osjetljiva na niže temperature, stoga mogu postati hipoglikemična te podložnija prignječenju od strane krmače. U preveniranju prignječenja, u suvremenoj svinjogojskoj proizvodnji, uvedeni su boksovi za prasenje, s uklještenjem za krmače, koji s obzirom na položaj krmače i vrstu poda u boksu mogu biti različito izvedeni.The first few days after farrow are one of the most sensitive periods during breeding of nursing piglets. With ensuring of optimal temperature values and accomodation conditions in farrowing pen, for piglets surviving, it is also essential to understand their neonatal behaviour. Piglets with their senses very soon after birth establish communication with their mother, and within nest is developed social organization in which each piglet conquers „its“ teat which it retains till the end of the nursing period. Because of poorly developed thermoregulatory mechanism, piglets are very sensitive to lower temperatures, so they can become hypoglicemic and more liable to crushing by the sow. To prevent crushing, in modern pig production are introduced farrowing stalls, where sow is fixed and which due to the sow placement and type of floor in stall, can be differently performed

POLYMORPHISM OF PRLR-GENE IN BLACK SLAVONIAN SOWS: PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Crna slavonska svinja, nekada vrlo cijenjena i gotovo jedina pasmina u Slavoniji, danas postoji u relativno maloj populaciji. Skromnih prohtjeva u hranidbi i smještaju, namijenjena je uzgoju na otvorenom. Prasi 6-8 odojaka u leglu, i prema tome pripada u srednje plodne pasmine svinja. Odlikuje se visokom kvalitetom mesa, namjenjenom preradi u tradicijske suhomesnate proizvode. Zbog svojih kvaliteta predstavlja prioritet u proučavanju i očuvanju jedinstvenog genetskog potencijala. Cilj ovog preliminarnog istraživanja bio je izolirati DNA iz folikula dlake 15 krmača crne slavonske pasmine svinja, provesti genotipizaciju polimorfizma prolaktinskog receptora (PRLR-gena) te utvrditi eventualnu povezanost pojedinih genotipova sa reproduktivnim pokazateljima. Navedeno bi moglo pridonijeti unaprjeđenju selekcije plotkinja, koja se dosad zasnivala na fenotipskim pokazateljima. Nakon provedene izolacije DNA i umnažanja odsječaka PRLR, dobiveni PCR produkti podvrgnuti su djelovanju restrikcijskog enzima AluI, u svrhu utvrđivanja polimorfizma PRLR-gena. Dobivena je jednaka raspodjela AA (40%) i BB (40%) homozigota, dok su AB heterozigoti bili manje zastupljeni (20%). Najveći broj ukupno oprasenih kao i živooprasenih odojaka imale su krmače AB genotipa, dok je kod BB homozigota zabilježena veća varijabilnost u veličini legla. Unatoč utvrđenim razlikama u veličini legla pojedinog genotipa, one nisu bile statistički značajne.Population of Black Slavonian pig, once highly valued and almost the only breed in Slavonia, has significantly decreased over the years. With modest demands of nutrition and housing, they are intendend for the breeding in the open. This breed belongs in the middle fertile breed with 6-8 piglets per litter. It is characterized by high quality meat, meant for processing in traditional dried meat products. Research and preservation of this unique genetic potential are priority because of its quality. The aim of this preliminary study was to isolate DNA from hair follicle samples of 15 Black Slavonian sows, to genotype polymorphism of PRLR receptor and evaluate its possible connection with reproductive traits. This could contribute to improvement of selection which previously was based on phenotypic indicators. After DNA isolation and multiplication of PRLR sequence, obtained PCR products were subjected to restriction enzyme AluI in order to determine the polymorphism of PRLR-gene. The results have shown even distribution of AA (40%) and BB (40%) homozygotes, while AB heterozygote was less frequent (20%). The largest number of total born and live born piglets was in AB genotype, although the BB homozygotes observed greater variability in litter size. Despite the determined differences in litter size between genotypes they were not statistically significant