Identification of metabolomic markers for on-farm selection of gilts with high reproductive potential

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The ability to identify highly reproductive gilts for recruiting into the breeding stock is one of the keys for profitable pork production. Currently, information on the sire and dam and all available relatives regarding reproductive performance, growth, and appearance are analysed. However, selection efficiency remains not very high due to the low heritability of reproductive performance. We propose to use an emerging technology called Metabolomics to develop a screening method that can identify high reproductive performers prior to entering the breeding herd. Metabolomics reveals molecular metabolites within living organisms. It quantitates and identifies metabolites which differ between different physiological and pathological statuses. It is therefore an excellent approach for determining the phenotype caused by a genetic variation, individual physiological status and environment, and thus is also called "functional genomics". The global metabolic profile is viewed as a unique chemical signature that can be linked to the expression of a trait and used to identify animals with potential for favourable expression of the trait. Metabolomics has been used in identifying biomarkers that predict diabetes, birth defects, and other hard to diagnose diseases, in which it outperforms current clinical tests. These successes are likely due to the fact that metabolomics not only reflects the expression of individual genes, but also the interaction of these gene products with the physiological environment of the individual. We propose to use this technology to develop a screening test to identify the metabolomic profile of gilts that have a high probability of being exceptional reproductive performers. Urine/serum samples from proven high reproductive performers will be compared to poor performers with the goal of identifying metabolites signatures of highly fertile sows. These markers will then be tested and vilified in gilts in subsequent studies in which their reproductive performance will be followed up to validate the accuracy of these early predictive metabolomics biomarkers. The goal is to develop a non-invasive, quick on-farm test that will differentiate gilts having high and low reproductive potentials avoiding the investment of time and money into low-producers.