Abstract:

Genetic line influences pig growth rate responses to vaccination for porcine circovirus type 2

Megan L. Potter, DVM, PhD; Lisa M. Tokach, DVM, Diplomate ABVP; Steve S. Dritz, DVM, PhD; Steven C. Henry, DVM, Diplomate ABVP; Joel M. DeRouchey, MS, PhD; Mike D. Tokach, MS, PhD; Robert D. Goodband, MS, PhD; Jim L. Nelssen, MS, PhD; Raymond R. R. Rowland, MA, PhD; Richard A. Hesse, MS, PhD; Richard Oberst, DVM, PhD; Joseph Anderson; Michael Hays

Complete article is available online.

PDF version is available online.

Objectives: To compare the effects of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccination on growth rate, backfat depth, and loin depth of pigs in a high-health herd which contained different genetic lines.

Materials and methods: A total of 454 pigs (20.6 ± 1.98 days of age; 6.1 ± 1.27 kg body weight) were used in a 130-day randomized controlled field trial. Genetic designations were A×A (Duroc line), B×B (synthetic White Pietrain line), A×B, and B×A. Pigs were randomly assigned to vaccination treatments (Vaccinated or nonvaccinated Control) within litter by gender (boar or gilt). Vaccinated pigs received two doses of a PCV2 vaccine at 3 and 5 weeks of age. Serum samples were collected and pigs were individually weighed on Days 0 (weaning), 40, and 130 to determine PCV2 viral load, antibody levels, and average daily gain (ADG). Data were analyzed from 417 pigs with complete growth records.

Results: The greater ADG from Day 0 to Day 130 for Vaccinated pigs depended on the genetic line (genetic line-by-vaccination interaction; P < .05). The mean weight difference between Vaccinated and Control pigs was almost four times greater in the A×A pigs than in the B×B pigs on Day 130. On average, compared with Control pigs, Vaccinated pigs had lower serum PCV2 viral load levels on Days 40 and 130 (P < .001).

Implications: Pig genetic line affects growth rate response to PCV2 vaccination and should be considered a risk factor for circoviral disease expression.

Keywords: genetic line, growth, porcine circovirus type 2, vaccine


RIS citationCite as: Potter ML, Tokach LM, Dritz SS, et al. Genetic line influences pig growth rate responses to vaccination for porcine circovirus type 2. J Swine Health Prod 2012;20(1):34-43.

Search the AASV web site for pages with similar keywords.