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Climate change can have a negative impact on agricultural production and food security. Vice versa, agricultural practices themselves contribute to climate change because of land, water, and energy use and anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gasses and waste. The European Green Deal focusses on “transition to a sustainable food system that has a neutral or positive environmental impact, helps mitigate climate change and adapt to its impact, and reverses the loss of biodiversity”. Local production of feed proteins in the European Union may result in new agro-ecosystem services that can be integrated to maximize sustainability of agricultural practices. Feed crops with nutritional properties that are both benefcial to functional biodiversity, biocontrol, pollination, and other ecosystem services can be incorporated into livestock diets. However, implementation is hampered by lack of information, embedded habits of specialization, proft maximization priorities, a lack of awareness about the environmental impacts of existing production systems, and a lack of fow of resources and services between the sectors. When economic benefts from investments are not immediately evident, transition can only be successful with government policies that focus on providing knowledge and education, and fnancial support. To convince agriculturists and agricultural workers to adopt sustainable practices, policy changes are needed with close cooperation between, and support from, all actors involved, including producers, non-governmental and civil society organisations, and the retail industry.

Two individuals with a first-degree relationship share about 50 percent of their alleles. Parent-offspring relationships cannot be homozygous for alternative alleles (genetic exclusion).

Aim of study: To evaluate the consequences for pork quality traits of replacing soybean meal with Narbon vetch in pig diets. Area of study: Castilla-Leon, Spain. Material and methods: 48 Duroc × Iberian barrows were fed diets with 0% (V0), 5% (V5), 10% (V10) and 20% (V20) inclusion of Narbon vetch. Pork quality traits investigated were 1) intramuscular fat, protein and moisture content of fresh loin, 2) fatty acid composition of subcutaneous fat, and 3) sensory attributes (Triangle test and a Simple Difference Test with a non-trained taste panel) of cured loin. Main results: Inclusion of Narbon vetch in the diet showed no significant effect on intramuscular fat, protein and moisture in fresh loin samples. Stearic acid was higher in subcutaneous fat of V5 than in V0 and V10 (p < 0.05), and oleic acid was higher in V10 than in V0, V5 and V20 (p < 0.05); no other differences in fatty acid composition were observed. Taste panelists tended to be able to distinguish V10 from V0 cured loins (p < 0.10), and were able to distinguish V20 from V0 loins (p < 0.05), in particular due to a perceived difference in taste, texture and marbling. No differences in intensity of the texture, marbling, aroma and color of cured loins were found between V0 and V5. Research highlights: Inclusion of Narbon vetch in pig diets did not significantly affect fresh loin composition or fatty acid composition of subcutaneous fat. Consumers perceived a difference in sensory characteristics of cured loin with replacement of soybean meal with Narbon Vetch, but they did not characterize this as more favorable.

Phenotypic variability for productive and meat quality traits has been largely studied in Iberian pigs, especially in genetic selection and nutritional experiments. Complex interactions among genetic background, diet composition and gut microbiota hinder the correct assessment of each factor's contribution on phenotypes. In order to disentangle these interactions, we evaluated changes in gut microbiota composition comparing 48 Iberian and Duroc pigs fed diets with different energy source (standard diet with carbohydrates vs sunflower oil-enriched diet with high oleic acid content).

There is an interest in replacing soybean meal with locally produced ingredients in livestock feeds. Narbon vetch is resistant to unfavorable climatic and soil conditions, common pests, and has a favorable nutritional profile. The effect of substitution of soybean meal with 0% (V0), 5% (V5), 10% (V10), and 20% (V20) inclusion of Narbon vetch on growth curve parameters, daily body weight gain (DBWG), daily feed intake (DFI), feed conversion efficiency (FCE), and residual feed intake (RFI) was investigated in 47 Duroc × Iberian barrows in 16 periods (a total of 125 d). DFI and DBWG were reduced (p < 0.05) up to four weeks after introduction of the novel feed in V20 and V10. Small, mostly nonsignificant differences existed between treatments in FCE and RFI. However, because of accumulative small differences in feed efficiency between the four diets, pigs in V0 reached the highest BW, and pigs in V20 reached the lowest BW on a similar feed intake. Economic implications of Narbon vetch inclusion depend on the extra amount of feed required and associated feed costs, and on the costs of additional days on-farm required to reach a given slaughter weight.

Pig production systems provide multiple benefits to humans. However, the global increase in meat consumption has profound consequences for our earth. This perspective describes two alternative scenarios for improving the sustainability of future pig production systems. The first scenario is a high input-high output system based on sustainable intensification, maximizing animal protein production efficiency on a limited land surface at the same time as minimizing environmental impacts. The second scenario is a reduced input-reduced output system based on selecting animals that are more robust to climate change and are better adapted to transform low quality feed (local feeds, feedstuff co-products, food waste) into meat. However, in contrast to the first scenario, the latter scenario results in reduced predicted yields, reduced production efficiency and possibly increased costs to the consumer. National evaluation of the availability of local feed and feedstuff co-product alternatives, determination of limits to feed sourced from international markets, available land for crop and livestock production, desired production levels, and a willingness to politically enforce policies through subsidies and/or penalties are some of the considerations to combine these two scenarios. Given future novel sustainable alternatives to livestock animal protein, it may become reasonable to move towards an added general premium price on 'protein from livestock animals' to the benefit of promoting higher incomes to farmers at the same time as covering the extra costs of, politically enforced, welfare of livestock animals in sustainable production systems. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

There is an urgent need to identify the effects of temperature on production traits. This study aimed to determine the impact of pig production in three environments (T°Cgrowing-°Cfattening-°Cfinishing = T24-24-21, T19-19-19, and T23-17-15) on growth curve parameters, body weight gain (DBWG), feed intake (DFI), and feed efficiency during the growing, fattening and finishing stages, and on carcass yield of primal cuts (ham, shoulder, and loin) in 158 Duroc × Iberian pigs. Maturation rate was higher in T23-17-15 than in T19-19-19 (P < 0.001). Pigs in T23-17-15 reached a lower mature body weight (P < 0.05). During the growing stage, pigs in T23-17-15 had higher DFI than those in T24-24-21 and T19-19-19 (P < 0.05); during the fattening stage, DFI was lowest in T24-24-21 (P < 0.001). In the growing stage, pigs had highest DBWG in the warmest environments (T24-24-21 and T23-17-15) and lowest in the coldest environment (T19-19-19; P < 0.001). Feed efficiency was highest in warmer environments (P < 0.01). Temperature T24-24-21 favored loin yield, T19-19-19 favored ham yield, and T23-17-15 favored shoulder yield (P < 0.01). The results imply a favorable effect of temperature on feed efficiency, however, possible negative implications for animal health and welfare should be considered.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of developmental stage, breed, and diet energy source on the genome-wide expression, meat quality traits, and tissue composition of biceps femoris muscle in growing pure Iberian and Duroc pigs. The study comprised 59 Iberian (IB) and 19 Duroc (DU) animals, who started the treatment at an average live weight (LW) of 19.9 kg. The animals were kept under identical management conditions and fed two diets with different energy sources (6% high oleic sunflower oil or carbohydrates). Twenty-nine IB animals were slaughtered after seven days of treatment at an average LW of 24.1 kg, and 30 IB animals plus all the DU animals were slaughtered after 47 days at an average LW of 50.7 kg. The main factors affecting the muscle transcriptome were age, with 1832 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and breed (1055 DEGs), while the effect of diet on the transcriptome was very small. The results indicated transcriptome changes along time in Iberian animals, being especially related to growth and tissue development, extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, and cytoskeleton organization, with DEGs affecting relevant functions and biological pathways, such as myogenesis. The breed also affected functions related to muscle development and cytoskeleton organization, as well as functions related to solute transport and lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Taking into account the results of the two main comparisons (age and breed effects), we can postulate that the Iberian breed is more precocious than the Duroc breed, regarding myogenesis and muscle development, in the studied growing stage., Comunidad de Madrid/FEDER, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Depto. de Producción Animal, Fac. de Veterinaria, TRUE, pub

Aim of the study: To evaluate the consequences for pork quality traits of replacing soybean meal with Narbon vetch in pig diets.Area of study: Castilla-Leon, Spain.Material and methods: 48 Duroc × Iberian barrows were fed diets with 0% (V0), 5% (V5), 10% (V10) and 20% (V20) inclusion of Narbon vetch. Pork quality traits investigated were 1) intramuscular fat, protein and moisture content of fresh loin, 2) fatty acid composition of subcutaneous fat, and 3) sensory attributes (Triangle test and a Simple Difference Test with a non-trained taste panel) of cured loin.Main results: Inclusion of Narbon vetch in the diet showed no significant effect on intramuscular fat, protein and moisture in fresh loin samples. Stearic acid was higher in subcutaneous fat of V5 than in V0 and V10 (p < 0.05), and oleic acid was higher in V10 than in V0, V5 and V20 (p < 0.05); no other differences in fatty acid composition were observed. Taste panelists tended to be able to distinguish V10 from V0 cured loins (p < 0.10), and were able to distinguish V20 from V0 loins (p < 0.05), in particular due to a perceived difference in taste, texture and marbling. No differences in intensity of the texture, marbling, aroma and color of cured loins were found between V0 and V5.Research highlights: Inclusion of Narbon vetch in pig diets did not significantly affect fresh loin composition or fatty acid composition of subcutaneous fat. Consumers perceived a difference in sensory characteristics of cured loin with replacement of soybean meal with Narbon Vetch, but they did not characterize this as more favorable.

Simple Summary The genetic mechanisms that regulate biological processes, such as skeletal muscle development and growth, or intramuscular fat deposition, have attracted great interest, given their impact on production traits and meat quality. In this sense, a comparison of the transcriptome of skeletal muscle between phenotypically different pig breeds, or along growth, could be useful to improve the understanding of the molecular processes underlying the differences in muscle metabolism and phenotypic traits, potentially driving the identification of causal genes, regulators and metabolic pathways involved in their variability. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of developmental stage, breed, and diet energy source on the genome-wide expression, meat quality traits, and tissue composition of biceps femoris muscle in growing pure Iberian and Duroc pigs. The study comprised 59 Iberian (IB) and 19 Duroc (DU) animals, who started the treatment at an average live weight (LW) of 19.9 kg. The animals were kept under identical management conditions and fed two diets with different energy sources (6% high oleic sunflower oil or carbohydrates). Twenty-nine IB animals were slaughtered after seven days of treatment at an average LW of 24.1 kg, and 30 IB animals plus all the DU animals were slaughtered after 47 days at an average LW of 50.7 kg. The main factors affecting the muscle transcriptome were age, with 1832 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and breed (1055 DEGs), while the effect of diet on the transcriptome was very small. The results indicated transcriptome changes along time in Iberian animals, being especially related to growth and tissue development, extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, and cytoskeleton organization, with DEGs affecting relevant functions and biological pathways, such as myogenesis. The breed also affected functions related to muscle development and cytoskeleton organization, as well as functions related to solute tra

Meat quality depends on tissue composition which is in turn influenced by different factors, such as diet, genotype, age, or sex. We evaluated the effects of breed, 24 h fasting, and dietary energy source (HO: oleic acid versus CH: carbohydrates) on the expression of candidate genes involved in adipogenesis, lipogenesis, and lipolysis in the adipose tissue from Iberian and Duroc growing pigs. The Iberian pigs showed greater feed intake, backfat thickness, and saturated fatty acids (SFA) content in the subcutaneous fat, whereas the Duroc pigs had greater ham weight and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content. In both breeds, the diet induced changes in the fatty acid (FA) composition of subcutaneous fat samples. The HO group had higher monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and oleic acid, and lower SFA than the CH group. Regarding gene expression, breed and feeding status (fasting versus postprandial) had significant effects on gene expression, with quantitative interactions between them, while diet showed negligible effects. In general, adipogenic and lipogenic genes were upregulated in the Iberian pigs and in postprandial samples. In contrast, the expression of lipolytic genes showed complex interaction effects. Our results agree with the phenotypic differences between the Iberian and Duroc breeds and with the inhibition of lipogenesis by fasting. Quantitative interactions between breed and feeding status effects were observed, which indicates a different response to fasting of the two breeds, with the obese Iberian breed showing a more stable expression of lipogenic genes. These results highlight the complexity of lipid metabolism regulation, especially in relation to lipolysis processes.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the replacement of soybean for winter peas with different levels of protease inhibitors, both trypsin and chymotrypsin, on the performance of fatty pigs. Were used a total of 192 Duroc hybrid barrows, with 61 days-old (22.1 kg), which were slaughtered with 167 days of age (121.0 kg). There were three varieties of peas in diets Cartouche (CAR), Iceberg (ICE) and Luna (LUN), with 9.87, 5.75 and 12.55 trypsin-inhibited units (UTI/mg) and 10.16, 8.62 and 15.75 chymotrypsininhibited units (CIU/mg), respectively. The design, in completely randomized blocks, had four treatments according the pea included in the diet control (with soybean), CAR, ICE and LUN diets, with 12 replicates of four pigs per treatment. At the end of the experimental period, pigs fed the control diet were heavier (P < 0.01) and showed higher daily weight gains (P < 0.01) and daily feed intake (P < 0.05) than those fed CAR and LUN diets, with those that received the ICE diet in an intermediate position. These results are mainly due to the first periods (from 61 to 83 days of age), because growth performances were scarcely affected later. No influence of the diet was observed on carcass and meat quality (P > 0.10). It concludes that winter peas with 5.75 TIU/mg and 8.62 CIU/mg, can replace soybean from 84 to 167 days of age, without affecting yield, carcass quality, main lean cuts and intramuscular fat loin content and major fatty acids proportion (C160, C180, C181n-9) of subcutaneous fat. © 2017, Asociacion Interprofesional para el Desarrollo Agrario. All Rights Reserved.

In this study, we analyzed the effects of breed, diet energy source, and their interaction on adipose tissue transcriptome in growing Iberian and Duroc pigs. The study comprised 29 Iberian and 19 Duroc males, which were kept under identical management conditions except the nutritional treatment. Two isoenergetic diets were used with 6% high oleic sunflower oil (HO) or carbohydrates (CH) as energy sources. All animals were slaughtered after 47 days of treatment at an average live weight of 51.2 kg. Twelve animals from each breed (six fed each diet) were employed for ham subcutaneous adipose tissue RNA-Seq analysis. The data analysis was performed using two different bioinformatic pipelines. We detected 837 and 1456 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) according to breed, depending on the pipeline. Due to the strong effect of breed on transcriptome, the effect of the diet was separately evaluated in the two breeds. We identified 207 and 57 DEGs depending on diet in Iberian and Duroc pigs, respectively. A joint analysis of both effects allowed the detection of some breed–diet interactions on transcriptome, which were inferred from RNA-Seq and quantitative PCR data. The functional analysis showed the enrichment of functions related to growth and tissue development, inflammatory response, immune cell trafficking, and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and allowed the identification of potential regulators. The results indicate different effects of diet on adipose tissue gene expression between breeds, affecting relevant biological pathways., Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO), Comunidad de Madrid/FEDER, Depto. de Producción Animal, Fac. de Veterinaria, TRUE, pub

BACKGROUND During freezing the selective precipitation of substances in the medium may provoke a pH shift and lead to sperm damage. OBJECTIVE To study the effect of the pH pre-adjustment in the freezing extender on post-thaw boar sperm quality. METHODS A total of 15 ejaculates from different boars were obtained and divided into six aliquots prior to a standard straw cryopreservation in freezing extender (lactose-egg yolk-glycerol-Orvus ES Paste) with different pH. After thawing, sperm quality (plasma membrane integrity, motility and acrosome status) were assessed at 30 and 90 minutes of post-thaw incubation at 37 degree C. RESULTS When the boar sperm were frozen in a freezing media with pH basic, and particularly at pH 8, it had higher post-thaw sperm quality. CONCLUSION The pre-adjustment at pH 8 of the freezing extender (lactose-egg yolk-glycerol-Orvus ES Paste) is able to improve the post-thaw boar sperm quality.

Meat quality depends on tissue composition which is in turn influenced by different factors, such as diet, genotype, age, or sex. We evaluated the effects of breed, 24 h fasting, and dietary energy source (HO: oleic acid versus CH: carbohydrates) on the expression of candidate genes involved in adipogenesis, lipogenesis, and lipolysis in the adipose tissue from Iberian and Duroc growing pigs. The Iberian pigs showed greater feed intake, backfat thickness, and saturated fatty acids (SFA) content in the subcutaneous fat, whereas the Duroc pigs had greater ham weight and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content. In both breeds, the diet induced changes in the fatty acid (FA) composition of subcutaneous fat samples. The HO group had higher monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and oleic acid, and lower SFA than the CH group. Regarding gene expression, breed and feeding status (fasting versus postprandial) had significant effects on gene expression, with quantitative interactions between them, while diet showed negligible effects. In general, adipogenic and lipogenic genes were upregulated in the Iberian pigs and in postprandial samples. In contrast, the expression of lipolytic genes showed complex interaction effects. Our results agree with the phenotypic differences between the Iberian and Duroc breeds and with the inhibition of lipogenesis by fasting. Quantitative interactions between breed and feeding status effects were observed, which indicates a different response to fasting of the two breeds, with the obese Iberian breed showing a more stable expression of lipogenic genes. These results highlight the complexity of lipid metabolism regulation, especially in relation to lipolysis processes., Comunidad de Madrid, Depto. de Producción Animal, Fac. de Veterinaria, TRUE, pub

The Mediterranean Iberian pigs show a clear predisposition to obesity, due to gene polymorphisms for leptin receptors, and a lower prolificacy when compared with lean breeds. Previous studies indicate a bimodal effect of obese genotypes on prolificacy; either by lowering ovulation rate or by increasing embryo losses when compared with lean genotypes. The present study aimed to discriminate the relative influence of both parameters by comparing strains of Iberian females with different prolificacy (14 original purebred Retinto, group R, and 20 Retinto × Torbiscal females selected for prolificacy, group RT). Examination of ovaries around Day 40 of pregnancy showed a higher ovulation rate in the RT than in the R sows (21.5 ± 1.4 versus 12.3 ± 1.0 corpora lutea, respectively; P < 0.0005). However, there was a higher incidence of implantation failures and early embryo losses in the RT females (42.9 versus 14% for the group R; P < 0.005). Thus, the number of viable embryos was higher in the RT line (10.8 ± 0.5 versus 7.6 ± 0.7 in the R sows, P < 0.0005), but also limited when compared with ovulation rate. Conversely, this effect was not found in the R sows; however, prolificacy of these females was limited by higher embryo mortality (24.1 versus 4.6% for RT females). In conclusion, the present study evidences dissimilar reproductive behaviour among strains of the Iberian pig differing in prolificacy and confirms previous evidences suggesting the existence of intrinsic factors avoiding excessively large litter sizes in Iberian females. © 2012 CSIRO.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the inclusion of seminal plasma (SP) in the freezing extender, trying to preserve as much as possible of SP with spermatozoa from Iberian pigs, thus improving the conservation of animal genetic resources of this breed. Experiment 1, evaluated the effect of substituting water with SP as diluent in the freezing media in different proportions (0%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%), over pre-freezing (at 10 °C and 5 °C) and post-thawing sperm quality. The results showed that over 50% of SP in the extender, significantly decreased sperm quality in comparison to the control sample (0% SP) and the samples with 10% and 25% of SP (P< 0.05). No significant differences were found between the control sample and the samples with 10% and 25% SP (P> 0.05), but treatment with 25% did not show significant differences between the time of incubation at 37 °C after thawing (P> 0.05), showing greater sperm quality resistance over time. Experiment 2, evaluated the effect of prolonged incubation period, until 480. min (simulating the lifespan of sperm in the female genital tract), of sperm samples with 0%, 10% and 25% of SP. Treatment with 25% of SP maintained better sperm quality over time, compared to control sample. Significant differences were observed especially in the parameters of motility analysis (TMS, total motile spermatozoa; PMS progressive motility spermatozoa. P< 0.05). In Experiment 3, the effect of the presence of SP was evaluated during the thawing process. Although some differences were observed between treatments, these differences were not as clear as the previous experiments. In conclusion, replacement of 25% of the water by SP as diluent in the freezing extender could be considered the maximum percentage of inclusion, without harmful effects to the sperm. In addition, this proportion of SP maintained Iberian sperm quality for longer time when it was present during the freezing and thawing process. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Current study aimed to determine possible differences in plasma leptin levels during the prepuberal period and their relationship with the onset of puberty in gilts of obese thrifty genotype (Iberian breed) and lean genotype (Large White × Landrace commercial crosses) reared under similar conditions. Plasma leptin concentration increased linearly during the 7. weeks prior to the day of puberty attainment in both genotypes (P< 0.005, r= 0.707 for LW × L and P< 0.0005, r= 0.874 for Iberian gilts). However, leptin levels in the Iberian gilts was higher from the first sample of the experimental period, with females having 16. weeks-old (2.7 ± 0.3 vs 1.7 ± 0.2. ng/ml in LW × L; P< 0.001), to the onset of puberty (8.5 ± 0.7 vs 2.8 ± 0.3. ng/ml in LW × L; P< 0.005). Thus, the current study reinforces previous data on changes in around puberty and evidences, for the first time, profound differences in prepuberal plasma leptin levels between gilts of obese (Iberian) and lean genotypes (LW × L). © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.

The current study was conducted in a swine breed (Iberian pig) with a genotype that predisposed the pig to obesity. The aim of the study was to determine the morphological, metabolomic and endocrine features of early conceptuses and to elucidate how placental gene expression (related to placentation, angiogenesis and fetal nutrition), maternal hormones and the metabolome affect the fetal environment and fetal growth. Conceptus viability and growth were found to be related to maternal endocrine (plasma progesterone levels) and metabolic features (plasma levels of leptin, cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c and triglycerides). These features were related to the placental expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and leptin (LEP) genes, the placental efficiency and, thus, the nutrition and the metabolism of the fetus (availability of glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol, as HDL-c). Viability of conceptuses in females with evidence of dyslipidemia (low plasma levels of total cholesterol due to low HDL-c concentration but high levels of triglycerides) was diminished. The availability of nutrients and metabolic substrates to the conceptus was also affected in females with higher fat deposition and evidence of dyslipidemia. In conclusion, the conceptus viability and growth appear to be strongly related to maternal metabolic features and, thus, affected in females with alterations in lipid metabolism.

Purpose To evaluate possible differences in follicle and oocyte developmental competence after gonadotrophin treatment in sows of obese and lean genotypes. Methods Follicle dynamics, ovulation rate and oocyte developmental competence to embryo were compared between females, of obese (n∈=∈7) and lean genotypes (n∈=∈10), treated with 1,250 I.U. of eCG and 500 I.U. of hCG. Results The obese genotype showed lower numbers of follicles growing to preovulatory stages (12.4∈±∈1.8 vs 18.6∈±∈1.0, P∈<∈0.05), of corpora lutea (16.0∈±∈0.9 vs 23.5∈±∈0.9, P∈<∈0.05), and of recovered oocytes/embryos (8. 0∈±∈1.3 vs 12.9∈±∈0.9, P∈<∈0.05). Thereafter, embryo viability rates also decreased when compared to lean genotypes (62.5 vs 77.6%, P∈<∈0.05). Discussion To our knowledge, this is the first study analyzing the effect of obese genotypes on the ovarian response to exogenous gonadotrophins in a non-rodent animal model, the pig. A lower efficiency of gonadotrophin treatments for stimulation of follicle development and induction of ovulation was observed. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

The Mediterranean Iberian pigs are obese genotypes, due to a leptin resistance syndrome related to leptin receptor gene polymorphisms. The Iberian pig is affected by a lower prolificacy when compared to lean breeds, and thus may constitute a good animal model for adverse effects of obesity in reproductive performance. The present study determined possible differences in rates of ovulation and embryo implantation and later incidence of embryo mortality and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in sows of Iberian breed (n = 23) and highly-prolific lean commercial crosses (Large White × Landrace, n = 17) at two critical periods of swine pregnancy Day 21 (just after achievement of trophoblast attachment) and Day 35 (just after completion of the transition from late embryo to early foetal stage). Two different reproductive performances were identified in the Iberian breed; 58.3% of the females had lower ovulation rates than LWxL (13.2 ± 2.3 vs 22.5 ± 1.6, P < 0.05), but 41.7% had a similar number of ovulations (18.2 ± 3.9). However, those Iberian sows having high ovulatory rates showed a high incidence of regression of corpora lutea and embryo losses between Days 21 and 35, which was not found in Iberian females with low ovulation rates; therefore, the number of viable embryos was similar in both Iberian groups (8.2 ± 1.0 and 8.4 ± 1.0) and lower that in highly-prolific LWxL (14.8 ± 1.8, P < 0.05). At Day 35, a total of 167 conceptuses (73 LWxL and 94 IB) were evaluated for IUGR. The LWxL conceptuses were longer and wider than Iberian (69.5 ± 0.1 and 64.4 ± 0.1 vs 49.9 ± 0.1 and 41.9 ± 0.1 mm, P < 0.0001). However, Iberian conceptuses were heavier than LWxL (107.4 ± 6.6 vs 68.6 ± 2.4 g) due to a lower quantity of fluids and a higher development of the placental tissues in comparison to the embryo itself. In conclusion, current study indicates a bimodal effect of obese genotypes on reproductive performances, either by lowering ovulation rate or by increased embryo losses

Contents In this study, the karyotypes of 14 piglets from four different litters produced by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and embryo transfer were analysed. The chromosome analysis was based on a classical cytogenetic examination following the standard protocols of lymphocyte cultures. Two cases of reciprocal translocation [(4; 7)(p+; q-) and (2; 8)(q-; q+)] were detected in two female transgenic piglets. These animals showed neither anatomical nor physiological alterations and had normal growth. To our knowledge, this is the first karyotype study of piglets produced by ICSI. © 2010 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

The current study aimed to compare luteal function, as measured by corpora lutea dynamics and progesterone secretion, in 10 sows with obesity/leptin resistance genotype (Iberian pig) and 10 females of lean commercial crosses (Large White×Landrace). In all the animals, the oestrous cycle was synchronized with progestagens, and ovulation was induced by exogenous gonadotrophins. Thereafter, number and size of follicles and plasma oestradiol concentration were determined at oestrus detection, and number and size of corpora lutea and progesterone concentration were evaluated from Day 4 to 12 of the cycle. There were no differences between genotypes in follicle population and oestradiol concentration, and ovulation rate (15.2±1.3 in Iberian vs 12.7±1.8 in LWxL sows); however, there was a higher percentage of Iberian than control sows showing luteal cysts (66.7% vs 30%, respectively; p<0.05). In both breeds, both total luteal area and plasma progesterone concentration grew linearly from Day 4 to 8 (p<0.01) and remained more stable between Days 8 and 12, without significant differences between genotypes. In conclusion, current study supports that ovulatory processes and luteal functionality are not the main limiting factors for prolificacy in a pig model of leptin resistance and obesity. © 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Cytogenetic analysis of 58 boars at an artificial insemination (AI) centre revealed the presence of a reciprocal chromosome translocation, rcp(1;11)(q-;p+), in two Duroc boars. Pedigree analysis of these two boars suggested familial transmission of the chromosome rearrangement. The reproductive consequences of this translocation were determined in a herd of sows that had received semen doses from these and other boars. All sows underwent multiple AI, with different groups established retrospectively depending on the percentage of semen doses provided by the carrier boars ([number of carrier boar doses/total number doses provided] x 100) 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%. The fertility rates (percentage of successful multiple AIs/total multiple AIs) recorded for multiple AI including semen doses from the carrier boars were not significantly different from those recorded when all semen doses were supplied by normal-karyotype boars. A reduction in litter size of 29.38% was observed, however, in litters sired by one of the carrier boars when its participation in multiple AI was 100%. The number of live-born piglets per litter gradually decreased (P < 0.05) as the percentage participation in multiple AI (25, 50, or 75%) of the carrier boar increased. In addition, both carrier boars sired some piglets with signs of cleft palate and complex malformations of the front legs; these died soon after birth. In conclusion, the boars carrying the translocation rcp(1;11)(q-;p+) showed reduced reproductive performance. © 2010 Elsevier Inc.

Contents The Iberian pig is an autochthonous breed of the Mediterranean area, reared extensively in the central and southern areas of Spain and Portugal and that is known worldwide for the production of Iberian ham. The characteristics of the Iberian ham are related to its abundance of intramuscular fat, owing to the high capacity of the pig to accumulate fat under its skin and between the muscular fibres. This ability to store excess fat enables survival during periods of scarcity and it has been found in other antique animal breeds and even in humans, being named as the thrifty genotype. The reproductive management of the Iberian pig, in spite of a lack of accurate information unlike in other swine breeds, is based on the assumption of lower reproductive precocity and efficiency than the modern commercial breeds. The current study characterized and compared the onset of puberty in gilts of Iberian breed and meat commercial crosses (Large White × Landrace) reared in the same conditions by assessing weekly plasma progesterone profiles. At the end of the experimental period, when the gilts became 180 days old, the percentage of Iberian females that had reached puberty was 72.2%, with a mean age and weight of 160.5 ± 2.6 days and 92.9 ± 4.7 kg, respectively. The percentage of Large White × Landrace cross-breed females reaching puberty at 180 days was only 15% (p < 0.05). The mean age and weight were 165.0 ± 4.1 days and 107.8 ± 2.2 kg (p < 0.05), respectively. Thus, converse to the traditional assumption, onset of puberty was advanced in Iberian gilts. These results are important for the reproductive management of the Iberian pig but, at the same time, may set the basis for future studies on the metabolism-reproduction link and, specifically, on the possible relationship between earlier accumulation of fat and attainment of puberty. © 2009 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Current study determined, in sows, the accuracy of ultrasonography for in vivo (n = 8) and ex vivo (n = 7) evaluation of corpora lutea (CLs) and follicles ≥1.5 mm in size, by comparison with macroscopic findings in sliced ovaries. The accuracy for ex vivo detection of follicles increased with follicle size (P < 0.05), being low for 1.5-1.9 mm follicles (65.9%) and higher for ≥6 mm follicles (93.3%); differences between ultrasonographic and macroscopic observations were significant only for follicles smaller than 3.9 mm (P < 0.05), due to underestimation. Ex vivo observation succeeded to detect presence or absence of CLs in all the ovaries; the efficiency for determining the exact number of CLs being 94.4%. The accuracy for in vivo detection of follicles also increased with follicle size (P < 0.05), dropping to values lower than 40% for 1.5-1.9 mm follicles; therefore, there were significant differences between ultrasonographic and macroscopic observations (P < 0.05). On the other hand, accuracy remained around 92% for ≥6 mm follicles. Ultrasonography was useful again for detecting presence of CLs in all the ovaries; the efficiency for determining CLs number reached 86.7%, due to underestimation in ovaries with higher number of CLs (P < 0.05). Overall, there were no significant differences when comparing the accuracy of ex vivo and in vivo scannings for determination neither of the number of follicles in each size-category larger than 1.9 mm nor of the presence of ovulations or of the CLs number in each ovary. In conclusion, the use of ultrasonography allows an accurate detection of the presence and number of CLs and follicles ≥2 mm of diameter in sows, without significant differences between in vivo and ex vivo observations. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[ES]: Para favorecer el uso de dosis de inseminación de semen de porcino congelado-descongelado a nivel comercial, sería interesante conocer de antemano si el semen de verraco congelará bien o mal. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el 'ChemSensor' (cromatógrafo de gases-masas unido a un software de análisis quimiométrico) como herramienta precoz de discriminación entre eyaculados según su congelabilidad. Para ello se utilizaron 33 eyaculados de verracos de raza Ibérica de los cuales se cogió una alícuota de 1 ml de semen y se analizó con el 'ChemSensor', el resto del eyaculado fue congelado-descongelado usando un protocolo estandarizado, para determinar su congelabilidad (buenos y malos congeladores) en función del porcentaje de espermatozoides con la membrana plasmática intacta y el porcentaje de espermatozoides móviles totales post-descongelación. Para el análisis con el 'ChemSensor', las muestras se volatilizaron e ionizaron descomponiéndolas en diferentes iones con un tamaño determinado, que se usaron como variables de discriminación, para separar los eyaculados en función de su congelabilidad. El 'ChemSensor' fue capaz de discriminar todos los eyaculados de los buenos congeladores; y dentro del grupo de los malos congeladores solamente una muestra fue clasificada erróneamente. Debido al reducido número de muestras, la distancia obtenida entre grupos (2,62), aunque no muy elevada, podría considerarse como significativa, aunque sería necesario un mayor número de muestras para poder crear un modelo matemático más robusto. En conclusión, el 'ChemSensor' es una posible herramienta adecuada para la discriminación precoz de eyaculados de cerdo Ibérico en función de su congelabilidad., [EN]: For the use of insemination dose of frozen-thawed boar sperm at the commercial level, it would be very interesting to know, in advance, if sperm from a boar will freeze well or poorly. So the aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of the “ChemSensor” (gas chromatograph-mass coupled with chemometric analysis software) as an early discrimination tool of Iberian pig ejaculates according to their freezability. For this, 33 ejaculates from Iberian breed boars were used and an aliquot of 1 ml of semen from each one was analyzed with the “ChemSensor”, the rest of the ejaculate was frozen-thawed using a standardized protocol to determine their freezability (good and bad freezers), depending on the percentage of intact plasma membrane and total motile post-thaw sperm. For analysis of “ChemSensor”, sperm samples were volatilized and ionized, decomposing into different ions with a determined size, which were used as discrimination variables to determine if it is possible the separation of ejaculates into two freezability groups. The “ChemSensor” was able to discriminate all the ejaculates of the good freezers; and inside of bad freezers group only one sample was misclassified. Due to the small number of samples, the distance obtained between groups (2.62), although not very high, it could be considered significant, although a larger sample in order to create a more robust mathematical model would be necessary. In conclusion, the “ChemSensor” is a possible suitable tool for the early discrimination of Iberian pig ejaculates according to their freezability.