Project

Contact: Dr. troph. Michael Oster and Dr. rer. nat. Henry Reyer

Duration: 2024-2027

Funding: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

Abstract:

PigBoneS combines established phenotypes of bone mineralisation and mineral metabolism with performance data and genetic information to develop innovative ultrasound diagnostic techniques that can be implemented in pig breeding. The mineral balance of the organism depends on the dietary mineral intake and the downstream regulatory processes, which in particular influence bone metabolism and bone mineralisation as an important prerequisite for a healthy life. Therefore, the PigBoneS project analyses and evaluates several biological parameters to directly map the variability at the level of bone mineralisation and to identify causal associations in pigs at the genomic level. The aim is to examine the variability of bone mineralisation in a representative pig population and to corroborate the results with established analytes for bone formation, bone resorption and mineralisation. Genetic information of the animals will be collected for the calculation of heritabilities and the identification of associated genetic markers as a basis for improved pig breeding programmes. Overall, the diversity of pigs will be utilised to improve phosphorus efficiency in agricultural food production. Potential applications in the areas of animal breeding, animal health monitoring and animal nutrition are being considered, creating corresponding commercialisation options for in the sale of breeding animals, in veterinary diagnostics and in the animal feed sector.