Analysis of backfat thickness in on-farm tested gilts in Slovenia using reaction norms

Martina PLANINC; Milena KOVAČ; Špela MALOVRH

doi:10.14720/aas.2015.106.2.4

Authors

Martina PLANINC Univ. of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Fac., Dept. of Animal Science, Groblje 3, SI – 1230 Domžale, Slovenia
Milena KOVAČ Univ. of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Fac., Dept. of Animal Science, Groblje 3, SI – 1230 Domžale, Slovenia
Špela MALOVRH Univ. of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Fac., Dept. of Animal Science, Groblje 3, SI – 1230 Domžale, Slovenia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14720/aas.2015.106.2.4

Keywords:

pigs, gilts, genetics, environment, maternal genotype, backfat thickness, reaction norms, Slovenia

Abstract

Animals have the ability to respond to differences in environment, which can be called phenotypic plasticity or environment sensitivity. Robust animal, that show little variability across environments, are less sensitive. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate genotype by environment interaction for backfat thickness using reaction norm. Random regression model have become common for analyzing data on individuals over time. Reaction norms were predicted for 239 sires. Results show how sires differ across environments for backfat thickness.

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