Analysis of the stress (RYR1) gene and osteochondrosis in wild boars in Lithuania

Abstract

The aim of the experiment was to determine the RYR1 genotype and to analyse the distribution of osteochondrosis (OC) in wild boars from different regions of Lithuania. Hair and bone samples were collected from wild boars of various sexes and ages that had been shot during hunting season. Genomic DNA was extracted from hair roots. The RYR1 gene was analysed with the PCR-RFLP method, using specific primers and restriction enzymes Alw211 and Hin61. Only one C allele (q = 1.00) and CC genotype of the RYR1 gene were identified. Thus 138 genotyped wild boars were stress-resistant with both dominant alleles intact (no mutation). OC was measured by the cut surface of the distal femur and humerus. The prevalence of OC among the 34 wild boars tested was 20.6%. 5 animals (14.7%) had OC lesions in the hind legs and 2 animals (5.9%) had them in the front legs. OC affected leg joints more often in adult females (third-years and older), but this dependence was not significant (p > 0.05)..

Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) population as reservoirs for deleterious mutations in the RYR1 gene associated with Porcine Stress Syndrome

“…Wild specimens of the species, both wild pigs and wild boars, are expected to not present the RYR1 deleterious allele, given their wild condition and the low frequency in which it is found in domestic populations. Several investigations have been carried out in Europe in search of the deleterious allele RYR1 in wild populations of Sus scrofa , and in none of them has the allele been found ( Ernst et al., 2003 ; Klimas et al., 2018 ; Kuryl et al., 2004 ; Müller et al. 2000; Zinovieva et al., 2013 ), except for the research of Borman et al., 2016 .…”

“…In Europe, several studies have focused on searching the deleterious RYR1 allele in wild Sus scrofa populations ( Ernst, Kuciel & Urban, 2003 ; Klimas, Klimienė, Mickeikiené & Morkūnienė, 2018 ; Kuryl, Zurkowski, Urbanski & Wyszynska-Koko, 2004 ; Müller et al. 2000; Zinovieva et al., 2013 ), finding it only on wild boars from the Gdańsk forests (Poland) ( Borman et al., 2016 ).…”