MELANOCORTIN-4 RECEPTOR GENE AND USE AS A GENETIC MARKER FOR FAT CONTENT, WEIGHT GAIN, AND/OR FEED CONSUMPTION OF ANIMALS

摘要

Genetic markers in the porcine melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) gene aredisclosed which are associated with fat content, growthrate, and feed consumption. Further, novel sequence data from regions of thegene are disclosed which may be used in a PCR test to screenfor the presence of the marker. The genetic marker may be used to screenanimals for breeding purposes which have the desired traitsregarding fat content, growth rate, and feed consumption. Kits which takeadvantage of the PCR test are also disclosed.