Utilization of Large White x Mong Cai crossbred sows, Duroc and stress negative Piétrain boars for the production of fattening pigs under household conditions in northern Vietnam

The objective of the present study was to compare Duroc (DU) and stress-negative Piétrain (PI) as terminal sires mated to F1(Large White x Mong Cai) sows (F1) on productivity, carcass characteristics, meat quality and meat chemical composition under household conditions in Hai Duong province, Vietnam. The reproduction performances were based on 74 litters of 42 F1 sows from 12 households and the semen from 11 Duroc and 10 Piétrain boars. Data on production and carcass traits were collected from 76 DUxF1and 67 PIxF1 crossbred fattening pigs. Longissimus dorsi samples from 55 and 37 of DUxF1 and PIxF1 respectively were analyzed to determine meat quality and meat chemical composition. The results show that household affected production, carcass, and meat quality traits (P<0.05) as well as reproduction (weights at birth and weaning, P<0.01). Inversely, boar breeds did not influence (P>0.06) on reproduction traits (except individual weight of born alive pigs and weaned pigs, P<0.01), production traits, meat chemical composition and meat quality (except pH at 4 days post mortem, P<0.05) while lean meat percentage of Piétrain-sired pigs was higher than those of Duroc-sired pigs (P<0.05). The utilization of Piétrain boars does not affect reproduction performances, growth rate and meat quality while improving lean meat percentage in comparison to Duroc boars. This suggests that the use of stress-negative Piétrain boars as terminal sires would improve lean meat percentage under household conditions in North Vietnam.