Phenotypic Correlation Between Growth Traits and Blood Haematology and Serum Biochemistry in F Pig Genotypes and 1 Crossbreds

Abstract

A total of 18 mature pigs comprising 6 Large White (LW), 6 Duroc (DR) and 6 mixed breeds(LWxDR) were used to generate 60 F piglets and used to correlate between growth traits and blood parameters. Growth traits measured were Body weight (BWT), Punch girth (PG), Heart girth(HG), Ear length(EL), Height at withers, Pin bone to pin-bone(PB) and Body length (BL). Biologic markers measured were Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobin (Hb), Red Blood Cell (RBC), White Blood Cell (WBC), Blood glucose (GLU), Total blood protein (PROT) and creatinine (CRT). Results showed that there were significant (p<0.05) positive correlations between BWT and Hb, PROT and CRT and also between BL and Hb in LW genotype. There were significant (p<0.05) positive correlations between BWT and GLU, RBC, PROT, between punch girth (PG), Height at withers (HW) and WBC, between EL and GLU, and also between BL and PROT and CRT in DR genotype. There were high significant (p<0.01) positive correlations between EL and PCV, WBC and PROT. The correlations were moderate. HW was correlated significantly (p<0.05) with PCV and PROT in LWxDR genotype. Haematological and Serum biochemical indices studied showed that HB, WBC, CRT, PROT, GLU and PCV can effectively be incorporated in Marker assisted selection scheme for selection of LW, DR pigs and LWxDR in Nigeria. It was concluded that for rapid improvement of these traits, Large White x Duroc could be used to enhance growth of pigs in the study area.