Phenotypic and genetic characterization of indigenous pigs of Meghalaya Niang Megha and Assam Doom

Abstract

Characterization of indigenous livestock population is of utmost importance for newlinetheir conservation and genetic improvement for sustainable utilization in future. The newlinepresent study was carried out on phenotypic and genetic characterization of indigenous newlinepigs of Meghalaya (Niang Megha) and Assam (Doom). A total of 99 farrowing records of newlineNiang Megha pigs maintained at the Livestock Farm, Livestock Production Division, newlineICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya and 40 farrowing records newlineof Doom pigs maintained under the GOI sponsored project on Conservation of Doom newlinepig , Livestock Research Station, AAU, Mandira, Kamrup, Assam were utilized for the newlinepresent investigation. Genetic characterization of indigenous pigs of Meghalaya and newlineAssam was carried out utilizing 14 microsatellite markers. newlineThe averages for litter size at birth, litter size at weaning, litter weight at birth, litter newlineweight at weaning, age at first estrus, age at first fertile service, age at first farrowing, newlinefarrowing interval and gestation period were 6.080 ± 0.219, 5.202 ± 0.190, newline3.172 ± 0.107 kg, 30.614 ± 1.199 kg, 221.173 ± 1.527 days, 246.440 ± 1.385 days, newline347.813 ± 3.516 days, 206.121 ± 0.785 days and 111.848 ± 0.136 days respectively in newlineNiang Megha and 6.250 ± 0.237, 5.025 ± 0.210, 3.475 ± 0.114 kg, 30.289 ± 1.184 kg, newline225.600 ± 1.494 days, 250.567 ± 1.481 days, 368.000 ± 1.537 days, 213.533 ± 0.396 days newlineand 112.044 ± 0.295 days respectively in Doom pigs. The averages for body weight at newlinebirth, weaning, 3 months, 6 months, 8 months and 12 months of age were found to be newline0.520 ± 0.003 kg, 5.967 ± 0.039 kg, 10.299 ± 0.056 kg, 21.585 ± 1.263 kg, newline30.633 ± 0.163 kg and 39.350 ± 0.178 kg respectively in Niang Megha and newline0.556 ± 0.003 kg, 5.944 ± 0.412 kg, 10.738 ± 0.087 kg, 24.241 ± 0.251 kg, newline42.925 ± 0.852 kg and 49.879 ± 0.911 kg respectively in Doom pigs. The average body newlinelength, height at wither, heart girth and neck girth respectively at birth, at weaning and at newlineadult age in Niang Megha was recorded as 17.256 ± 0.062 cm, 11.293 ± 0.053 cm