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- Genetic structure, relationships and admixture with wild relatives in native pig breeds from Iberia and its islandsPublication . Gama, Luis; Martinez, Amparo; Carolino, Inês; Landi, Vincenzo; Delgado, Juan; Vicente, António; Sousa, ConceiçãoBackground: Native pig breeds in the Iberian Peninsula are broadly classified as belonging to either the Celtic or the Mediterranean breed groups, but there are other local populations that do not fit into any of these groups. Most of the native pig breeds in Iberia are in danger of extinction, and the assessment of their genetic diversity and population structure, relationships and possible admixture between breeds, and the appraisal of conservation alternatives are crucial to adopt appropriate management strategies. Methods: A panel of 24 microsatellite markers was used to genotype 844 animals representing the 17 most important native swine breeds and wild populations existing in Portugal and Spain and various statistical tools were applied to analyze the results. Results: Genetic diversity was high in the breeds studied, with an overall mean of 13.6 alleles per locus and an average expected heterozygosity of 0.80. Signs of genetic bottlenecks were observed in breeds with a small census size, and population substructure was present in some of the breeds with larger census sizes. Variability among breeds accounted for about 20% of the total genetic diversity, and was explained mostly by differences among the Celtic, Mediterranean and Basque breed groups, rather than by differences between domestic and wild pigs. Breeds clustered closely according to group, and proximity was detected between wild pigs and the Mediterranean cluster of breeds. Most breeds had their own structure and identity, with very little evidence of admixture, except for the Retinto and Entrepelado varieties of the Mediterranean group, which are very similar. Genetic influence of the identified breed clusters extends beyond the specific geographical areas across borders throughout the Iberian Peninsula, with a very sharp transition from one breed group to another. Analysis of conservation priorities confirms that the ranking of a breed for conservation depends on the emphasis placed on its contribution to the betweenand within-breed components of genetic diversity. Conclusions: Native pig breeds in Iberia reveal high levels of genetic diversity, a solid breed structure and a clear organization in well-defined clusters.
- Genetic diversity in the Lusitano horse breed assessed by pedigree analysisPublication . Vicente, António; Carolino, Nuno; Gama, LuisGenetic diversity and population structure were analyzed in the Lusitano horse breed based on pedigree information of animals registered in the Studbook, to identify factors which may have affected the genetic variability of the breed, and provide the bases for the establishment of sustainable utilization programs. Pedigree records collected from 1824 to 2009, including information on 53,411 animals, were used in the analyses. The mean generation interval was 11.33±5.23 and 9.71±4.48 years for sires and dams, respectively, while the mean number of offspring registered was 13.13±22.53 for stallions and 4.00±3.38 for mares. All great-grandparents were known for the animals in the reference population (registered foals born from 2005 to 2009, n=9712), which had a mean number of equivalent generations known of 11.20±0.71 and an average inbreeding of 11.34±7.48%. For this population, the rate of inbreeding per year was 0.173±0.070, and the effective population size computed from this rate was about 28. The mean relationship among animals from the same and from different studs was 0.31±0.16 and 0.15±0.10, respectively. In spite of the high within-stud relationship, inbreeding has been kept lower than expected due to restrictions imposed by breeders on selection and allocation of mates. The effective number of founders, ancestors and studs contributing to the current genetic pool was 27.5, 11.7 and 5.4, respectively. Over the last 30 years, contributions to the genetic pool of Lusitano have been decreasing, with a reduction to about one-half in the effective number of founders and ancestors. Of the 267 founder sires, only 9 Y-chromosome sources are currently represented, with an effective number of 2.23. The diversity of mt-DNA sources is broader, with 129 lineages represented and an effective number of 42.8. The results of our study reflect the intensive emphasis that has been placed on a few sire-families over the years, and raise concerns regarding the conservation of genetic diversity for the future. Methods designed to minimize inbreeding and maximize the maintenance of genetic contributions from different founders and ancestors should be envisaged, to prevent further losses of genetic variability in the Lusitano horse breed.
- Caractérisation démographique du cheval lusitanienPublication . Vicente, António; Carolino, Nuno; Gama, Luis
- Avaliação do desempenho produtivo de suínos de raça Alentejana submetidos a acabamento intensivo até elevado peso de abatePublication . Roque, António; Pardal, Paulo Reis Branco; Almeida, J.; Bressan, C.; Gama, LuisA raça autóctone suína Alentejana, com solar na região do Alentejo, tem sido desde sempre explorada em sistemas de produção extensivos ou semi-intensivos, em virtude da sua capacidade para converter os frutos do montado, lande e bolota, em carne e gordura. A montanheira é, no entanto, um recurso limitado, apenas disponível durante uma época do ano e sujeito a variações anuais, pelo que a exploração destes animais em sistema intensivo pode constituir uma alternativa ao sistema tradicional. Avaliou-se o desempenho produtivo, a acumulação de gordura subcutânea e o aumento da espessura do músculo Longissimus dorsi de suínos Alentejanos machos castrados, submetidos a engorda intensiva, até um peso elevado ao abate (160 kg). Analisaram-se dados de 30 animais, ao longo do seu crescimento / engorda intensiva, dos 60 aos 160 kg de PV. Os animais foram pesados semanalmente e a ingestão de alimento, limitada a 4% do PV, controlada individual e diariamente. Avaliou-se por ultra-sonografia aos 60, 90, 120 e 160 kg de PV a espessura do músculo Longissimus dorsi, ao nível do P2 (a 65 mm da linha média ao nível da última costela) e da gordura subcutânea no ponto P2 e sobre a apófise medial da última vertebra lombar. Os GMD dos animais foram de 865 ± 179 g, 1041 ± 207 g e 776 ± 116 g, nos períodos 60-90, 90-120 e 120-160kg, respetivamente. Estes valores de GMD, em acabamento intensivo e, em particular, no período 90-120 kg, são muito superiores aos valores referidos na bibliografia para porcos de raça Alentejana explorados no sistema tradicional. A ingestão alimentar, apesar da sua limitação, foi proporcionalmente mais elevada, que o GMD, o que se traduziu num elevado IC (4,79 ± 0,87, 4,45 ± 1,17 e 6,78 ± 0,92, nos períodos 60-90, 90-120 e 120-160 kg, respetivamente). A espessura de gordura subcutânea ao nível do P2 e da última vertebra lombar apresentaram valores próximos nos vários tempos avaliados. O incremento de acumulação de gordura subcutânea, observado com o aumento de peso do animal, foi particularmente elevado, evidenciando uma elevada capacidade de deposição de tecido adiposo a par do limitado potencial de desenvolvimento muscular, característico da raça suína Alentejana. No sistema de engorda intensivo praticado neste estudo, os animais da raça Alentejana apresentaram um desempenho produtivo pouco interessante, devido a uma reduzida taxa de conversão alimentar, a par do elevado período de tempo necessário para atingir pesos elevados de abate. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram um forte incremento da gordura subcutânea dorsal, acompanhado de um aumento moderado da espessura do músculo Longissimus dorsi.
- Crescimento e qualidade da carcaça de suinos Landrace X Large White submetidos a acabamento intensivo até elevado peso de abatePublication . Ferreira, P.; Pardal, Paulo Reis Branco; Almeida, J.; Bressan, M. C.; Gama, LuisAo longo dos últimos anos, em muitos países, e como já é habitual em Itália, o peso vivo de abate de suínos tem registado um progressivo aumento, o que tem sido possível devido ao melhoramento genético de raças industriais, com potencial para produzir mais carne magra. Utilizaram-se 30 suínos, F1 cruzados de Landrace x Large White, castrados, submetidos a acabamento intensivo com alimento composto (Energia Bruta 3833 kcal / kg MS), distribuído ad libitum, até um peso elevado ao abate (90-160 kg de PV). Avaliou-se o desempenho produtivo dos animais, espessura da gordura e profundidade do Longissimus dorsi, in vivo, e peso de carcaça. Os animais foram pesados semanalmente e a ingestão de alimento controlada, individual e diariamente, permitindo calcular os GMD e IC. Efetuaram-se diversas medições, in vivo, da espessura da gordura (P1 - linha média da última vertebra torácica, P2 - a 6 cm da linha média ao nível da última vertebra torácica e P3 - linha média da última vertebra lombar) e da profundidade do Longissimus dorsi, por ultra-sonografia, aos 90, 120 e 160 kg PV. Os animais foram abatidos em matadouro experimental, registando-se o peso de carcaça, a quente e a frio (24 h post mortem), bem como o total das gorduras rejeitadas e miudezas. Os GMD dos animais foram de 828,3 ± 110,3 g e de 673,1 ± 112,2 g, nos períodos 90-120 kg e 120- 160 kg, respetivamente, o que representa um decréscimo de 19% do GMD, entre os períodos considerados. Nos mesmos períodos, os IC foram de 4,27 ± 0,32 e de 4,99 ± 0,49, representando um incremento de 17%. O consumo médio de alimento foi de 3,34 kg / dia. Para as três medições de espessura da gordura efetuadas e da profundidade do Longissimus dorsi, registou-se um crescimento constante ao longo do ensaio, no total de 1,1 cm, e de 1,2 cm, respetivamente. Observou-se apenas uma diferenciação do crescimento do P2, menos acentuado entre os 90 e os 120 kg, mas recuperando, no período 120-160 Kg. Os pesos médios da carcaça, a quente e a frio, foram respectivamente 132,1 Kg e 130 kg, representando 82,4% e 81% do peso vivo ao abate. Obteve-se um peso médio da perna (com chispe) de 19 kg. Os resultados obtidos indiciam uma possível utilização deste cruzamento na produção de suínos em sistema intensivo com objetivo de produção de pernas para presunto e com aproveitamento das restantes peças cárneas.
- Selection for morphology, gaits and functional traits in Lusitano horses: II. Fixed effects, genetic trends and selection in retrospectPublication . Vicente, António; Carolino, Nuno; Ralão-Duarte, J.; Gama, LuisMixed model procedures were used to analyze morphology and gaits records collected in about 18,000 Lusitano horses from 900 studs, over a period of 43 years, and functional records collected since 1998, to carry-out a critical assessment of the fixed effects and selection practices followed in this breed. Fixed effects considered in the analysis of morphology (head/neck, shoulder/withers, chest/thorax, back/loin, croup, legs and overall impression), gaits and final score (computed by summing partial morphological and gaits scores) were stud, year, sex, inbreeding and age. Functional traits analyzed were the scores obtained in working equitation dressage (WEDT) and maneability (WEMT) trials and in classical dressage (CD), where fixed effects were event, level of competition, sex, inbreeding and age. Phenotypic trends were moderate over the period analyzed, with a slight increase in height at withers, and a decline in final score. Nevertheless, differences among years were mostly environmental. Males received lower scores for almost all morphological and gaits traits except croup, with a difference of about −1.7 points for final score relative to females. Sex differences were small for functional traits, with general advantage of males in WEMT and CD, and a disadvantage in WEDT. Considerable differences were detected among studs, especially in their environmental effects but also in mean estimated breeding value (EBV), for morphology, gaits and functionality. The environmental effect of competition level in CD resulted in a progressively lower scoring as the competition became more difficult, while for WEMT the pattern was opposite and differences were minor for WEDT. Inbreeding depression was observed for all morphological and gait traits, but the magnitude of its impact was very small for all traits analyzed, never exceeding −0.1% of the mean per 1% inbreeding. Still, for functional traits the effect of inbreeding was negligible. The EBV for morphology, gaits, WEMT and WEDT show considerable variability, indicating that selection can be effective. For CD, however, the distribution of EBV was narrower. The genetic trend was positive but moderate for all traits, and it was slightly higher for head and neck, overall impression, gaits and final score. As a percentage of the mean, these traits and working equitation trials showed the highest responses, which in the best cases did not exceed 0.2% of the mean per year. Genetic selection differentials and the corresponding selection intensities were very modest for all traits analyzed, with a slightly higher intensity in sires when compared to dams.
- Avaliação genética para a morfologia no cavalo LusitanoPublication . Vicente, António; Carolino, Nuno; Gama, Luis
- Selection for morphology, gaits and functional traits in Lusitano horses: I. Genetic parameter estimates.Publication . Vicente, António; Carolino, Nuno; Ralão-Duarte, J.; Gama, LuisGenetic parameters were estimated for morphology, gaits and functional traits in Lusitano horses by uni- and multivariate animal models. Morphological traits considered in the analyses were partial scores attributed to up to 18,076 horses at the time of registration in the studbook and included head and neck, shoulder and withers, chest and thorax, back and loin, croup, legs and overall impression, plus a final score computed by summing the partial morphological scores and the gaits score. The functional traits considered were the scores obtained in the dressage and maneability trials of working equitation (WE, about 1500 records by 200 horses), and classical dressage (12,131 records by 759 horses). The heritability (h2) estimates for all partial morphological scores ranged between 0.12 and 0.18, except for legs (0.07). The h2 for final score, height at withers and gaits was 0.18, 0.61 and 0.17, respectively, while for WE dressage trial and classical dressage it was 0.32 and for WE maneability trial it was 0.18. The genetic correlations (rG) of final score with the different partial scores were generally high (0.56–0.95), while among partial components of morphology they were positive but widely different (0.08–0.77). With the exception of legs, rG between morphology/gaits and functional traits were positive, with a stronger relationship between morphological traits and performance in WE dressage trial (rG between 0.36 and 0.56) when compared with performance in maneability trial or classical dressage. Height at withers had a rG of 0.40 with performance in classical dressage, but lower rG(0.06 and −0.10) with WE trials. Final score and overall impression had moderate to strong genetic relationships with functional traits, especially with WE dressage trial, while gaits had a strong rG with performance in all the disciplines (0.60–0.72). Indirect selection for morphology/gaits to improve functionality was assessed, by selecting for final score or a combined index of partial scores. Compared to direct selection for functionality, selection for final score or an index combining partial morphological scores would be less effective, resulting in accuracies of, respectively, 0.28 and 0.37 for WE dressage trial, 0.14 and 0.38 for WE maneability trial and 0.22 and 0.39 for classical dressage. Thus, an index combining all partial morphological scores would be better than selection for overall final score, but its relative efficiency compared to direct selection would be about 0.7 in WE dressage trial and classical dressage, and 0.9 in WE maneability trial. Lusitano horses maintain considerable levels of genetic variability, and selection for both morphology and functionality should be effective. The favorable genetic relationships existing between morphology and performance indicate that morphology/gaits traits can play an important role in a two-stage selection program, contributing to enhance selection response when the genetic improvement of working equitation or classical dressage is intended.
- Biodiversidade caprina em PortugalPublication . Carolino, Nuno; Sousa, C. B.; Carolino, I.; Santos-Silva, F.; Sousa, C. O.; Vicente, António; Ginja, C.; Gama, LuisEm Portugal a produção de caprinos está normalmente associada a zonas pobres e a recursos agrossilvopastoris dificilmente aproveitáveis por outras espécies. O efetivo caprino é atualmente constituído por cerca de 340 mil fêmeas reprodutoras, 1/8 das quais representadas pelas raças autóctones Algarvia, Bravia, Charnequeira, Preta de Montesinho, Serpentina e Serrana. A origem e evolução dos efetivos caprinos portugueses são controversas, mas diversos autores sugerem que resultam de cruzamentos entre animais provenientes de diversas regiões da Península Ibérica e do norte de África. As atuais seis raças autóctones apresentam um grau de diferenciação inter-racial reduzido, mas níveis elevados de diversidade genética. A maioria dos caprinos é explorada em sistemas extensivos, em equilíbrio com o meio ambiente, na dupla vertente carne-leite, em que o leite produzido é utilizado no fabrico de queijo. Devido à diversidade de raças caprinas e de sistemas de produção, bastante associados a tradições e às características edafoclimáticas de cada região, existe uma grande variedade de produtos transformados (queijos e carne), alguns deles com certificações reconhecidas pela União Europeia (Denominação de Origem Protegida, Indicação Geográfica Protegida e Especialidade Tradicional Garantida). Presentemente, todas as raças caprinas autóctones dispõem de programas de conservação e melhoramento, da responsabilidade das Associações de Criadores gestoras dos livros genealógicos, com o apoio de várias instituições e a supervisão do Ministério da Agricultura. Contribuindo para o sustento de inúmeras empresas agrícolas familiares portuguesas, os caprinos são fundamentais para a fixação de populações no espaço rural e para a sua gestão sustentável. Não sendo um sector em expansão, a caprinicultura portuguesa, continua a desempenhar um papel extremamente importante do ponto de vista socioeconómico e cultural nas regiões mais desfavorecidas do interior do país.
- Caracterização demográfica do cavalo lusitano (1ª parte)Publication . Vicente, António; Carolino, Nuno; Gama, Luis