Biological awards are rarely given out. It's quite an honor for Iowa Sate and me to get the award. Rothschild developed an estrogen receptor gene test for improved pig litter size which is a genetic testing method that helps pork producers increase the size of pig litters by scientifically identifying which females and males will produce larger litters. He identified a gene which influences litter size. Rothschild said the ability to identify sows for potential for increased litter size would improve the financial bottom line for producers.
More copies make females more efficient.
He said researchers have used the ESR genetic marker to identify females capable of producing larger litters and males producing daughters for pork production. The technology is also being used to genetically improve semen and genetically improve breeding females. Use of the new gene test can improve herd genetics, increase pig production efficiency and possibly reduce animal waste that could harm the environment. Copyright 1999 by the Iowa State Daily Publications Board. All rights reserved.