POLYMORPHISMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEGREE OF UNSATURATION OF INTRAMUSCULAR FAT IN PIGS

摘要

The invention relates to polymorphisms in the promoter region of the stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase (SCD) gene of swine origin, which is related to high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in the intramuscular fat of the animal. The invention also relates to reagents suitable for the detection of said polymorphism, as well as to methods for assessing the presence of high levels of MUFA in live animals in a non-invasive manner and in meat products derived therefrom. The invention further relates to a method for selecting pigs with a high degree of unsaturation of fatty acids in the intramuscular and/or subcutaneous fat, based on the detection of said polymorphism in offspring resulting from crossing pigs that carry the polymorphism.