Piétrain pigs tested in the tropics
Use of a new Piétrain line may prove interesting in tropical countries with ecological and climatic conditions similar to Vietnam.
In a study, published in Animal Production Science, the reproduction, production and semen traits of the stress-negative Piétrain line of pigs were investigated, as well as various factors acting on these traits. The experiment was carried out on a purebred nucleus on Dong Hiep farm, Haiphong province.
The reproduction performances and the sperm quality measures were based on 12 sows and 5 boars imported from Belgium as well as on 29 sows and 14 boars born in Vietnam, while the production performances were recorded only from 251 animals born in Vietnam. Vietnam boars also presented higher total number of spermatozoa values than Belgium boars. Vietnam sows had longer duration of pregnancy, more piglets born alive and heavier litter weight of weaning than Belgium sows.
Compared with observations in temperate climates, the reproduction and production performances, sperm concentration and number of spermatozoa of stress-negative Piétrain pigs were reduced; lean meat percentage was not affected.
