Bayes factor analysis for the genetic background of physiological and vitality variables of F2 Iberian x Meishan newborn piglets

The Bayes factor (BF) procedure was applied to examine the additive genetic component of several physiological and vitality variables for newborn pigs. Nine variables were studied heart rate, arterial oxygen saturation, rectal temperature (all at birth and 60 min later), birth weight, interval between birth and first teats contact, and interval between birth and first colostrum intake. The available numbers of data ranged from 288 (heart rate at 60 min) to 839 records (birth weight) from F2 Iberian x Meishan newborn pigs. We compared a model with zero heritability (nonheritable) with the one where the additive genetic background was included. The BF was used to discriminate between both candidate models. Very strong evidence of genetic background was detected for heart rate 60 min after birth (BF = 48.90), and strong evidence was detected for rectal temperature at birth (BF = 13.82). Posterior modes (means) of heritabilities were 0.29 (0.32) and 0.40 (0.39), respectively. In addition, substantial evidence of absence of genetic background was detected for arterial oxygen saturation at birth. ©2005 American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved.