Effects of KPNA7 gene polymorphisms on reproductive traits in France Large White pigs

Abstract

KPNA7 is an essential nuclear protein for early embryogenesis and normal fertility. The aim of our study was to determine the associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the KPNA7 gene and the reproductive traits in France Large White pigs. Six new SNPs were identified by sequencing. Sows with CT genotype of rs81308652 had a significantly higher total number born than sows with CC and TT genotype in first parity. Litters from sows with TT genotype of rs81308652 had a significantly lower number of weak births than litters from sows with CC and CT genotype in multi parity. Individuals with GG genotype of rs327848277 showed higher litter weight at birth (LWB) and number of healthy births than individuals with genotype GT and TT in first parity, and individuals with genotype GG had lower LWB compared to other genotypes in multi parity. However, we obtained no statistically significant results for association between the SNPs in other four loci and reproductive traits in both primiparous and multiparous pigs. In conclusion, our results show that there are significant association of identified SNPs located in KPNA7 gene with pig reproductive traits, and provided a theoretical basis for genetic improvement of pig reproductive traits.

Polymorphisms of ACACB Gene and Their Association with Milk Quality Traits in Yak

“…SNPs located in introns are also highly functional compared to those located in exons. Although introns lack coding ability, they can regulate gene expression 45 and introns in several genes have been shown to have normal transcription rates 46 . While it is well known that intronic mutations do not alter the amino acid sequence, it has been found that mutations located in introns may have similar effects to those of synonymous mutations, and that the occurrence of intronic mutations affects a number of economically important traits in animals.…”