Abstract
Miniature pigs are a small and improved variety of regular pigs and are currently widely used as pets. With the development of medicine and biotechnology following the completion of the human genome project, the use of miniature pigs has become more specific and the scope of use has expanded. Since many experimental animals need to use mini pigs as experimental animals, miniature pigs, which are more expensive than mice, have the disadvantage of being less useful due to higher production costs. Therefore, miniaturization is urgent to increase the value of use as an experimental animal. To miniaturize mini pigs, factors that can change at the gene or DNA level must be found, and feed types and nutrition must be improved by indicators rather than other environmental changes. In this article, we investigated the growth characteristics of miniature pigs by breed to find genetic indicators for the miniaturization of miniature pigs. In the case of eight breeds known as major miniature pigs, the characteristics of each breed were classified and the growth characteristics of this breed were encapsulated. Furthermore, biological comparisons of regular pigs, micro pigs, and miniature pigs were carried out, and finally, the effects on pig growth were investigated and explained. Through this study, it is expected that the cause of the growth difference between mini pigs and ordinary pigs will be identified and basic data will be provided as an indicator of miniature pigs' miniaturization by analyzing and organizing factors that can affect the varieties, origin, and growth of miniature pigs.
Figures & Tables
Fig. 1. Hormel miniature pig (URL: http://pannonminipig.hu).
