Mangalica is an endangered domestic animal breed. This breed appeared in Hungary in the early 19th century but its origin is still discussed. Most likely the ancient small Hungarian pigs were crossed by the Serbien Sumadia pigs and actually it has three sub-races, i.e. the Blond, the Red and the Swallow Belly. Mangalica breed tolerates well extensive housing conditions and is characterized by excellent meat quality but high fat. Although till the early fifties Manglica was the most typical Hungarian pig breed, the modern breeds extinguished it quickly from the industrial pig breeding. This reduction of Mangalica in the large scale pig breeding units may have been due to the weak reproductive characteristics. The females reach puberty at age of 9-12 months, ovulation rate rarely exceed 10-14 and litter size 4-6. Usually they come in heat seasonally, i.e. twice a year. In 1996 only 414 Mangalica sows (317 Blond, 55 Swallow Belly and 42 Red Mangalica, respectively) were kept in 15 farms. Enthusiastic swine breeders in Austria, Switzerland and Germany keep about 500 Mangalica pigs. In 1999 the German Safeguard Society of Ancient and Endangered Domestic Animal Breeds nominated the Mangalica for breed of the year.

Derived from provisional results of the preceding studies, in Mangalica both the lower number of ovarian follicles and differences in oocyte maturation are involved in lower fecundity. However the differences to modern breeds can be diminished with biotechnical stimulation of ovarian function. Presumably weaker capability of the uterine environment has also a significant role in this subject.

Because propagation/preservation of breeds is directly connected with reproduction the proposed project will contribute to find out the physiological reason(s) for different fecundity in Landrace and Mangalica pigs.

The main topics of the project are:

the comparative endocrine and cell-physiological characterization of embryonic development ie. hormonal status, embryo mortality and uterine capacity.