Topigs investigates which metabolites play a role in pig behavior

Topigs Pork Organization, in collaboration with the University of Alberta, is studying the metabolites that play a role in the behavior of pigs. usually small molecules, such as amino acids and other compounds, produced by biological processes in the body that play a role in the behavior of pigs Collaborating researchers also want to discover which genes underlie differences in the formation of these metabolites [19659003] Research has shown that the social behavior of pigs is hereditary In this way, a pig can influence the performance of another pig in the loft, resulting in better growth of all lofts.This indirect genetic effect a Norsvin already implemented in the breeding program The social behavior is difficult to measure and By studying the metabolites, this problem can be solved and is tested for more than 200 metabolites.

The first phase of this project has already been completed and various metabolites have been found that are related to differences between positive and negative social groups. For example, pigs with positive social breeding values ​​have a lower ratio between tryptophan and kynurenine. Tryptophan is the precursor to serotonin, which affects various aspects of behavior, including anger, aggression, mood, sleep, sexuality, and appetite. Kynurenine is a degradation product of tryptophan, which therefore competes with serotonin conversion.

The next step is to test larger groups of pigs with selected metabolites and identify the associated genes. It is expected that the results will be available in 2019. Shortly after, Topigs Norsvin will use this new knowledge and implement it in the breeding program

source: Topigs Norsvin, 26/07/18 [19659007] Copyright © 2018 AgriHolland BV

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