Effects of sire line, sire, and sex on plasma urea nitrogen, body weight, and backfat thickness in offspring of Duroc and Landrace boars1,2

In pork production, the efficiency of dietary protein (AA) use is low, resulting in urinary excretion of large quantities of nitrogen as urea. Use of AA and formation of urea are under enzymatic regulation, suggesting genetic regulation. The current study examined the effects of sire line, sire, and sex on growth characteristics and plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) concentrations in the offspring of 11 Duroc sires and 11 Landrace sires bred to Yorkshire-Landrace dams. Plasma samples were obtained at approximately 107 (age class = 107 d), 128 (age class = 128 d), and 149 (age class = 149 d) d of age from 511 boars, gilts, and barrows group-penned and fed standard finishing diets. Body weight and backfat (BF, mean of 3 measurements) were recorded at the time of blood sample collection. Sex, age class, and their interaction influenced (P < 0.01) BW, BF, and PUN. Predicted traits (i.e., ADG, BW at 21 wk, average daily change in BF, BF at 21