Effect of swine lymphocyte antigen haplotypes on birth and weaning weights in pigs

Birth weights of 708 live piglets and weaning weights of 566 piglets were used to investigate the effect of the swine lymphocyte antigen (SLA) complex on these traits in Large White pigs. Piglets were from litters of a long-term selection experiment to measure response for selection to increase litter size. SLA haplotypes were determined using conventional class I antisera. A total of 14 haplotypes were detected. The effect of SLA haplotype on birth and weaning weights was investigated using a statistical model that included the effects of experimental group, sire, dam, sex and SLA haplotype. Results indicated that SLA class I haplotype 13.1.3 increased birth weights (P less than 0.10) and significantly increased weaning weights (P less than 0.01). This effect of haplotype 13.1.3 on weaning weight was 605 +/- 215 g (0.3 standard deviations). SLA class I homozygosity did not appear to affect birth and weaning weights. These results suggest that the SLA complex plays an important role in early growth in the pig and that further study of SLA effects on growth and reproduction are warranted.     

Influence of major histocompatibility complex on reproduction and production traits in swine

The effects of the swine lymphocyte antigen (SLA) system on different performance traits were investigated in Swiss pig breeds. Litter size and piglet weight at birth and at weaning were considered and in gilts the average daily weight gain, backfat and muscle thickness as well as percentage valuable cuts were measured. These data were analysed with least squares procedures. Although the effect of SLA on these traits was very small, a few haplotypes seemed to have some influence. Sows of the Large White breed carrying H12 had a significant smaller and those with H24 had a bigger litter size at weaning. Some mating studies were performed to investigate the effects of SLA homozygosity. The obtained results suggest that this has a negative effect on the litter size, especially when H19 in the Large White breed and H7 in Landrace are involved.     

Microsatellite diversity and crossover regions within homozygous and heterozygous SLA haplotypes of different pig breeds

Our aim was to investigate microsatellite (MS) diversity and find crossover regions at 42 polymorphic MS loci in the swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) genomic region of 72 pigs with different well-defined homozygous and heterozygous SLA haplotypes. We analyzed the genetic polymorphisms of 42 MS markers in 23 SLA homozygous-heterozygous, common pig breeds with 12 SLA serological haplotypes and 49 National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Clawn homozygous-heterozygous miniature pigs with nine SLA serological or genotyped haplotypes including four recombinant haplotypes. In comparing the same and different haplotypes, both haplospecific patterns and allelic variations were observed at the MS loci. Some of the shared haplotype blocks extended over 2 Mb suggesting the existence of strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) in the entire SLA region. Crossover regions were easily defined by the MS markers within the class I and/or III region in the NIH and Clawn recombinant haplotypes. The present haplotype comparison shows that our set of MS markers provides a fast and cost-efficient alternative, or complementary, method to the serological or sequence-based determination of the SLA alleles for the characterization of SLA haplotypes and/or the crossover regions between different haplotypes.     

Molecular characterization of swine leucocyte antigen class I genes in outbred pig populations

The highly polymorphic swine leucocyte antigen ( SLA ) genes are one of the most important determinants in swine immune responses to infectious diseases, vaccines, and in transplantation success. Study of SLA influence requires accurate and effective typing methods. We developed a simple and rapid method to type alleles at the three classical SLA class I loci ( SLA-1 , SLA-3 and SLA-2 ) using the PCR-sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) strategy. This typing system relies on 47 discriminatory PCR primer pairs designed to amplify the SLA class I alleles by groups that have similar sequence motifs. We applied this low-resolution group-specific typing method to characterize the SLA class I alleles present in three outbred pig populations ( n =  202). Alleles from 24 class I allele groups corresponding to 56 class I genotypes were detected. We also identified 23 low-resolution SLA class I haplotypes in these pigs and found haplotypes Lr-1.0 ( SLA-1 *01XX- SLA-3 *01XX- SLA-2 *01XX) and Lr-4.0 ( SLA-1 *04XX- SLA-3 *04XX- SLA-2 *04XX) in all three pig populations with a high prevalence. Over 80% of the pigs examined ( n  =   162) were found to bear at least one of these haplotypes, resulting in a combined haplotype frequency of nearly 50%. This PCR-SSP-based typing system demonstrates a reliable and unambiguous detection of SLA class I alleles, and can be used to effectively investigate the SLA diversity in outbred pig populations. It will help to identify the role of SLA antigens in disease-resistant pigs and may facilitate the development of effective vaccines.     

Preliminary evidence of segregation distortion in the SLA system

The segregation of 11 well-defined SLA haplotypes was investigated in 40 Land-race and 48 Large White Danish and Swiss litters. Among the 11 haplotypes, the segregation of one (SLA 20-8.2.11) deviated significantly from the expected 1:1 segregation ratio in back-cross families. Tests indicated that these families were homogeneous with respect to segregation distortion, although the distortion was more pronounced in litters sired by heterozygous Danish boars than by heterozygous Swiss boars and Danish and Swiss sows. The data presented do not allow any definite conclusion about the cause of the segregation distortion. The possibility of the distortion being caused either by a complex similar to the T/t-complex found in mouse and contemplated in man or directly by the SLA region is discussed.     

Marked genetic polymorphism of the swine steroid 21-hydroxylase gene, and its location between the SLA class I and class II regions

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the swine 21-hydroxylase (CYP21) region was conducted on 31 unrelated SLA class I typed pigs, mainly Large Whites, including 15 haplotypes. Ten haplotypes were from SLA genotypic homozygotes and five were from SLA class I phenotypic homozygotes. DNA digestion with Hin dIII, TaqI and PstI, and hybridization to a 4.5-kb swine CYP21 genomic probe yielded respectively two, four and three RFLP patterns. Six patterns were identified with combined RFLP. In addition, analysis of the CYP21 region in families comprising several SLA recombinants demonstrated that the CYP21 gene lies in the DNA segment between the SLA class I and class II regions. These overall results reinforce our previous conclusion about the existence in the pig of a single 21-hydroxylase gene. The characterization of at least six CYP21 allelic patterns provides a new tool for studying the associations between the SLA region and zootechnical traits.     

Preliminary evidence of segregation distortion in the SLA system

The segregation of 11 well-defined SLA haplotypes was investigated in 40 Land-race and 48 Large White Danish and Swiss litters. Among the 11 haplotypes, the segregation of one (SLA 20–8.2.11) deviated significantly from the expected 1: 1 segregation ratio in back-cross families. Tests indicated that these families were homogeneous with respect to segregation distortion, although the distortion was more pronounced in litters sired by heterozygous Danish boars than by heterozygous Swiss boars and Danish and Swiss sows. The data presented do not allow any definite conclusion about the cause of the segregation distortion. The possibility of the distortion being caused either by a complex similar to the T/t-complex found in mouse and contemplated in man or directly by the SLA region is discussed.     

Genetic and other effects on antibody and cell mediated immune response in swine leucocyte antigen (SLA)-defined miniature pigs

Miniature pigs of eight swine leucocyte antigens (SLA) haplotypes were immunized with sheep erythrocytes (SRBC), hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) and the synthetic peptide (T, G)-A--L to induce antibody. Bacillus Calmette Geurin (BCG) and dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) were used to induce cell mediated immune response (CMI). Analysis of variance by least squares was used to assess the effects of SLA haplotype, sire, dam, litter and sex of pig on the magnitude of the primary and secondary antibody response and on dermal delayed type hypersensitivity induced by purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD) and DNCB-induced contact hypersensitivity. The statistical model accounted for 43.50-77.30% of the observed variability in antibody and CMI at various times after immunization or challenge. While SLA had a significant effect on both antibody and CMI to some antigens at some, but not all times, sire, dam and litter were more frequently significant and to a greater degree. Haplotypes dd, dg and gg produced more antibody to SRBC and (T, G)-A--L while dg and gg had higher primary, but not secondary antibody response to HEWL. Delayed hypersensitivity to PPD was most marked in pigs of dd, dg and gg haplotypes while contact hypersensitivity to DNCB was expressed least in the dg and gg haplotype pigs. Heritability estimates were high for response to (T, G)-A--L and HEWL indicating feasibility of selective breeding for these traits.     

Genetic and other effects on antibody and cell mediated immune response in swine leucocyte antigen (SLA)-defined miniature pigs

Summary. Miniature pigs of eight swine leucocyte antigens (SLA) haplotypes were immunized with sheep erythrocytes (SRBC), hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) and the synthetic peptide (T, G)-A–L to induce antibody. Bacillus Calmette Geurin (BCG) and dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) were used to induce cell mediated immune response (CMI). Analysis of variance by least squares was used to assess the effects of SLA haplotype, sire, dam, litter and sex of pig on the magnitude of the primary and secondary antibody response and on dermal delayed type hypersensitivity induced by purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD) and DNCB-induced contact hypersensitivity.
The statistical model accounted for 43.50–77.30% of the observed variability in antibody and CMI at various times after immunization or challenge. While SLA had a significant effect on both antibody and CMI to some antigens at some, but not all times, sire, dam and litter were more frequently significant and to a greater degree.
Haplotypes dd, dg and gg produced more antibody to SRBC and (T, G)-A–L while dg and gg had higher primary, but not secondary antibody response to HEWL. Delayed hypersensitivity to PPD was most marked in pigs of dd, dg and gg haplotypes while contact hypersensitivity to DNCB was expressed least in the dg and gg haplotype pigs.
Heritability estimates were high for response to (T, G)-A–L and HEWL indicating feasibility of selective breeding for these traits.     

Characterization of swine leukocyte antigen alleles and haplotypes on a novel miniature pig line,Microminipig

Microminipigs are extremely small‐sized, novel miniature pigs that were recently developed for medical research. The inbred Microminipigs with defined swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) haplotypes are expected to be useful for allo‐ and xenotransplantation studies and also for association analyses between SLA haplotypes and immunological traits. To establish SLA‐defined Microminipig lines, we characterized the polymorphic SLA alleles for three class I (SLA‐1, SLA‐2 and SLA‐3) and two class II (SLA‐DRB1 and SLA‐DQB1) genes of 14 parental Microminipigs using a high‐resolution nucleotide sequence‐based typing method. Eleven class I and II haplotypes, including three recombinant haplotypes, were found in the offspring of the parental Microminipigs. Two class I and class II haplotypes, Hp‐31.0 (SLA‐1*1502–SLA‐3*070102–SLA‐2*1601) and Hp‐0.37 (SLA‐DRB1*0701–SLA‐DQB1*0502), are novel and have not so far been reported in other pig breeds. Crossover regions were defined by the analysis of 22 microsatellite markers within the SLA class III region of three recombinant haplotypes. The SLA allele and haplotype information of Microminipigs in this study will be useful to establish SLA homozygous lines including three recombinants for transplantation and immunological studies.     

Development of a semi-inbred line of Landrace pigs. I. Breeding performance and immunogenetic characteristics

During 15 years of inbreeding of pigs (Canadian Landrace) a semi-inbred line has been developed. The inbreeding coefficient (FX) is 0.84, which theoretically corresponds to between 8-9 generations of brother/sister matings. At the highest inbreeding level (0.84) the mean number of newborn piglets in the litter was 7.2 (5 litters, n = 36) including 5 stillborn (13.8%). The mean birth weight of the litter was 8.56 kg (5 litters, n = 31) the mean piglet birth weight was 1.23 kg and at the age of 21 days the mean weight of a litter was 33.24 kg with a mean piglet weight of 5.44 kg. During inbreeding, immunogenetic alloantigenic systems were investigated. Of 15 known erythrocyte systems, alleles of loci J, K, and of the most polymorphic system E, segregated. As to other immunogenetic systems (histocompatibility, leucocyte and allotypes) 2 SLA haplotypes (major histocompatibility complex) and 2 alleles of the SLC leucocyte system segregated. Allotransplants of the skin in SLA compatible siblings survived for a mean of 50.7 days (n = 77) compared with 10.8 days (n = 29) in non-inbred siblings. Tests of blastic transformation activated by T and B lymphocyte mitogens revealed a normal cell-mediated immune response. After immunization with some cell membrane alloantigens a normal humoral response was also recorded. All tested animals were halothane-resistant and tolerated a 10-min exposure to 5% without developing malignant hyperthermia. Depression due to inbreeding was manifested by a reduced reproductive ability (smaller number of piglets, frequent incidence of gonadal hypoplasia, diminution or loss of libido).     

母猪生殖器官大小和产仔数的分子遗传基础

采用单核苷酸多态分析技术（SNP）分析母猪3个生殖激素受体基因（ESR、PRLR和FSHR）的变异,屠宰103头母猪并测定其生殖器官大小;统计母猪的产仔数;利用SAS或SPSS分析软件分析基因变异与母猪的生殖器官大小,产仔数多少的连锁关系,以探讨母猪生殖器官大小和产仔数多少的分子遗传基础,结果表明,如母猪携带的基因型为位点,ESR的BB型,位点FSHRB的BB型,位点ESRB的AA型,位点PRLR的AA型,则母猪的生殖器官较大,产仔数也较多;在位点ESRB或位点PRLR中,带有AA基因型母猪不仅产仔数显著地高于AB、BB型,而且生殖器官也显著大于AB、BB型;在位点ESR和FSHRB中,带有BB基因型母猪的生殖器官,产仔数显著高于带有AB或AA型母猪。     

撒坝猪血清酯酶多态性与繁殖性能关系的研究

采用垂直板聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳法(PAGE), 对115头撒坝猪的血清酯酶(ES)多态性进行了检测,计算了该位点的基因型频率、基因频率和位点多态杂合度(h),并用二因素有互作的最小二乘模型对血清酯酶多态性与繁殖性能的关系进行了分析。结果表明,撒坝猪血清酯酶3种基因型AA、AB和BB的频率分别为0.2696、0.5826和0.1478。两个等位基因A和B的基因频率分别为0.5609和0.4391。该位点的杂合度为0.4926。在3种基因型中,不同基因型母猪的繁殖性能在产仔数、仔猪初生窝重、20日龄窝重、断奶仔猪数和断奶窝重等性状上存在着显著差异(P<0.05);公、母猪不同基因型交配组合在产仔数、断奶仔猪数、仔猪断奶体重和断奶窝重等性状上亦有显著差异(P<0.05)。显示出猪的血清酯酶多态性可望作为繁殖性能选种的遗传标记。 Abstract：　Serum esterase polymorphisms of 115 Saba pigs were investigated by using the method of vertical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The genotype frequency, gene frequency and heterozygosity of this locus were calculated. The relationship between the serum esterase polymorphism and reproductive performance was analyzed by the least square analysis of two factors (ES genotype of boar and sow) with interaction. The results demonstrated that the genotype frequency of AA, ABandBBwas 0.2696, 0.5826 and 0.1478 respectively, the gene frequency of the alleleAandBwas 0.5609 and 0.4391 respectively. The heterozygosity of this locus was 0.4926. There are significant differences (P<0.05) on litter size, litter weight at birth, litter weight at 20 days, litter size at weaning and litter weight at weaning of different genotypic sows. The significant differences (P<0.05) were showed on litter size, litter size at weaning, weaning weight and litter weight at weaning of different genotypic mating combinations. It indicated that the serum esterase polymorphism was expected to be the genetic marker of pig reproductive performance.     

Reproductive Decisions in Female European Ground Squirrels: Factors Affecting Reproductive Output and Maternal Investment

Physiological and behavioural parameters associated with reproductive effort and success were investigated in female European ground squirrels Spermophilus citellus . The proportion of reproductive (lactating) females in the study population was over 90% and was not related to age. Timing of oestrus and ovulation was found to be affected by the female's emergence date and condition. Females with low emergence mass showed delayed oestrus. Differences in ovulation dates were shown to affect reproductive output in terms of litter size and sex ratio. Early litters were larger and male biased. X-ray techniques were used to determine intrauterine litter size in individual females. The results indicated that litter size and sex ratio were fixed prenatally. Lactation costs were reflected in the intensity of mass loss and duration of lactation. Mass loss varied with litter size, in that females with large litters showed a more rapid loss than others. The second parental investment parameter, lactation duration, varied among individual females and was dependent on the timing of reproduction and litter size (except yearlings). Early born litters, which were, in most cases, larger than later ones, were nursed longer. Prolonged lactation periods affected female condition in that they started prehibernation fattening later and entered hibernation with a lower mass than individuals that had shorter lactation periods. Yearling females probably could not afford the energetic costs of long lactation, independent of their offspring number. These results indicated that females with higher reproductive output and higher investment were unable to compensate these costs before hibernation. Consequences for these individuals could therefore be lower over-winter survival or a delayed oestrus in the following season.     

Interstrain inseminations and embryo transfers between the SLA miniature pig and standard crossbred pig

The purpose of this study was to determine fertilization and karyotypes of embryos after interstrain insemination and survival of embryos after reciprocal transfers between the National Institutes of Health SLA miniature pig and standard crossbred pig. Recovery of viable embryos indicated fertilization rates were not different in the two strains. Karyotypes of cells from embryos of both strains had the same chromosome number. The wide variation (within animal) in developmental stages of embryos recovered from the SLA minipig suggests the possibility of a prolonged ovulation interval, or a super imposed recruitment of a second set of follicles ovulating a few hours later. Cystic endometrial hyperplasia in the SLA minipig reduced the number of embryos recovered due to mechanical blockage of the uterine horns, thus preventing adequate flushing. SLA minipig recipients with no morphological evidence of cystic endometrial hyperplasia have a similar pregnancy rate to the standard pig. Cystic endometrial hyperplasia may contribute to reduced reproductive efficiency of the SLA minipig as a result of a detrimental effect on early embryo development and/or implantation.     

Influence of body condition on reproductive output in the guinea pig

Reproduction is expensive. Substantial body reserves (i.e. high body condition) are usually required for females to undertake offspring production. In many vertebrates, maternal body condition positively influences reproductive output, and emaciated individuals skip reproduction. However, the impact of extremely high body condition, more specifically obesity, on animal reproductive performance remains poorly understood and research has generated contradictory results. For instance, obesity negatively affects fertility in women, but does not influence reproductive capacity or reproductive output in laboratory rodents. We examined the influence of high body condition on reproductive status and reproductive output in the guinea pig. In captivity, when fed ad libitum, guinea pigs store large amounts of fat tissues and exhibit a tendency for obesity. Our results show that obesity negatively affected reproduction in this species: both the proportion of fertile females and litter size were lower in the fattest females. Therefore, guinea pigs may represent suitable organisms to better understand the negative effect of obesity on reproduction.     

Mapping of the porcine oestrogen receptor 2 gene and association study with litter size in Iberian pigs

Genes encoding the oestrogen receptors (ESR) are considered candidate genes for prolificacy traits due to the key role these molecules play in the regulation of reproductive physiology. In this paper, we report the assignment of the pig ESR2 gene to porcine chromosome 1 by radiation hybrid mapping. Most of the ESR2 cDNA was sequenced from Iberian pig ovarian RNA samples and one A/G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was found at exon 5, being associated with a Met/Val substitution at position 949. This SNP was genotyped using a PCR-RFLP (Hsp92II) protocol and its potential effect on litter size was evaluated in two Iberian pig populations. However, no statistically significant association between the ESR2 polymorphism and litter size was found.     

Assignment of the major histocompatibility complex to the p1.4----q1.2 region of chromosome 7 in the pig (Sus scrofa domestica L.) by in situ hybridization

The pig major histocompatibility complex (SLA) was mapped by in situ hybridization. The probe used was a human cDNA containing most of the coding sequence for HLA-B7. The SLA complex was localized to the region p1.4----q1.2 on chromosome 7.     

Reproductive effort and costs of reproduction in female European ground squirrels

Reproductive effort, factors affecting reproductive output and costs of reproduction were studied in primiparous yearling compared to multiparous older female European ground squirrels (Spermophilus citellus). Yearling females weaned smaller litters than older ones. Litter size increased with posthibernation body mass at the expense of slightly lighter young for yearling but not for older mothers. In older females, on the other hand, emergence body mass influenced offspring mass, whereas litter size was affected by oestrus date. High reproductive effort entailed reproductive costs in terms of reduced subsequent fecundity but not subsequent survival for both yearling and older females. The production of large litters and long duration of lactation delayed subsequent oestrus, which, in turn, correlated negatively with litter size. During the second half of lactation, oestradiol levels were significantly elevated, indicating the initiation of follicular maturation processes. Oestradiol levels during that time correlated negatively with current, but positively with subsequent litter size. We therefore assume that inhibitory effects of lactation on gonadal development may mediate the negative relationship between reproductive effort and subsequent reproductive timing in adults. This effect is absent in yearlings because they are reproducing for the first time. Reproductive output in yearlings was influenced by interactions between structural growth and puberty. Received: 22 March 1999 / Accepted: 7 June 1999     

Analysis of allele segregation distortion in a swine resource family

Segregation distortion of alleles was found in several regions of the genome in allele type analyses of genetic markers for a swine resource family that had been constructed by crossing G?ttingen miniature pig and Meishan breeds. From these regions, a region on chromosome 6 presented a distortion over several consecutive markers. This chromosome 6 region was subsequently further investigated to reveal that alleles of a chromosome 6 homologue of the Gottingen miniature pig were not found in a homozygous family member. The litter size of F1-crosses which were able to produce homozygotes in this region were 24% smaller, on average, than F1-crosses which were unable to produce homozygotes. This indicated that this region of the chromosome 6 homologue contained a recessive gene or genes which could terminate fetal development. An additional 10 markers were subsequently used to investigate the region more precisely. These studies revealed that this region spans 7 cM and is located between markers Sw855 and Sw122. Since current comparative maps show that this region corresponds to the human chromosome 19 q-arm, genes positioned on the human chromosome 19 q-arm were screened to select 20 candidate genes. These included the pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein gene.