Reproductive and rearing performance of gilts with different side fat thickness before start of breeding

1292 gilts from three way crossing Leicoma x F1 (Large White x Landrace) were measured by ultrasonics at day 211.6 +/- 12.8 and 406 gilts of them also at first farrowing and weaning. At start of breeding, gilts weighed 122.9 kg. Sid fat thickness (SFT) averaged 16.42 +/- 3.48 mm. At first conception, gilts were 259 days old. They farrowed with a litter size at birth of 10.20 +/- 2.78 live horn and 0.77 dead born piglets. The number of piglets at weaning with three weeks was 8.52 +/- 2.70 per litter. SFT at day 211 on measurement C 6 had a significant influence (p < 0,05) on litter size (I) and rearing performance (II). Related to the results of all gilts, the deviations from total means were: In 419 gilts with a SFT less than or equal to 13 mm - 0.23 (I) and - 0.29 (II); in 514 gilts with a SFT of 14 - 17 mm + 0.06 (I) and + 0.17(II); in 359 gilts with a SFT of greater than or equal to 18 mm + 0.18 (I) and + 0.01(II).