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Association of swine vertnin ( VRTN ) gene with production traits in D uroc pigs improved using a closed nucleus breeding system
Author(s) -
Hirose Kensuke,
Mikawa Satoshi,
Okumura Naohiko,
Noguchi Go,
Fukawa Kazuo,
Kanaya Naoe,
Mikawa Ayumi,
Arakawa Aisaku,
Ito Tetsuya,
Hayashi Yoichi,
Tachibana Fumio,
Awata Takashi
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
animal science journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.606
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1740-0929
pISSN - 1344-3941
DOI - 10.1111/j.1740-0929.2012.01066.x
Subject(s) - purebred , genotype , biology , intramuscular fat , allele , zoology , genetics , gene , crossbreed
Vertnin ( VRTN ) is involved in the variation of vertebral number in pigs and it is located on S us scrofa chromosome 7. Vertebral number is related to body size in pigs, and many reports have suggested presence of an association between body length ( BL ) and meat production traits. Therefore, we analyzed the relationship between the VRTN genotype and the production and body composition traits in purebred D uroc pigs. Intramuscular fat content ( IMF ) in the L ongissimus muscle was significantly associated with the VRTN genotype. The mean IMF of individuals with the wild‐type genotype ( W t/ W t) (5.22%) was greater than that of individuals with the W t/ Q (4.99%) and Q / Q genotypes (4.79%). In addition, a best linear unbiased predictor of multiple traits animal model showed that the W t allele had a positive effect on the IMF breeding value. No associations were observed between the VRTN genotype and other production traits. The VRTN genotype was related to BL . The Q / Q genotype individuals (100.0 cm) were longer than individuals with the W t/ Q (99.5 cm) and W t/ W t genotypes (98.9 cm). These results suggest that in addition to the maintenance of an appropriate backfat thickness value, VRTN has the potential to act as a genetic marker of IMF .