Effects of a porcine MC4R polymorphism (892G>A) on carcass traits in commercial pigs.

摘要

Receptor (MC4R) gene and carcass traits were examined in randomly selected commercial pigs. A porcine MC4R gene was genotyped for Asp298Asn (nt. 892G>A) by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). A total of three genotypes, A/A, A/G, and G/G, were found with 28.8, 22.8, and 48.4% frequencies, respectively. In the whole population, pigs containing 892A/- showed significantly higher marbling score than those of homozygotes G/G (P<0.05). A/A and G/G homozygotes were lower in meat colour score but higher in water holding capacity than the heterozygotes A/G (P<0.01). However, the carcass weight of the barrows containing wild type -/G was significantly higher (>2.5 kg) than those of homozygotes A/A (P<0.05). The effects of each genotype on carcass traits on the gilts were similar to those of the whole population, but not in barrows, suggesting an unknown sex-related effect on carcass traits. It is suggested that the genotype MC4R A/- can improve the meat quality in the commercial pig production. However, since the genetic polymorphism of MC4R gene differentially affected the carcass traits in sex-related manner, sex and genotype should be considered for marker-assisted selection in commercial pig production.