Genome-wide association analyses for boar taint components and testicular traits revealed regions having pleiotropic effects

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to perform a genome-wide association analyses (GWAS) for androstenone, skatole and indole in different Pietrain sire lines and compare the results with previous findings in purebred populations. Furthermore, the genetic relationship of androstenone and skatole were investigated with respect to pleiotropy. In order to characterize the performance of intact boars, crossbred progenies of 136 Pietrain boars mated to crossbred sows from three different breeding companies were tested on four test stations. A total of 598 boars were performance tested according to the rules of stationary performance testing in Germany. Beside common fattening and carcass composition traits, the concentrations of the boar taint components and testicular size parameters were recorded. All boars were genotyped with the PorcineSNP60 Illumina BeadChip. The GWAS were performed using the whole data set as well as in sub groups according to the line of origin. Besides an univariate GWAS approach, principal component (PC) techniques were applied to identify common expression pattern affecting the biosynthesis and the metabolism of androstenone.ResultsIn total, 33 SNPs were significantly associated with at least one of the boar taint components. Only one SNP was identified being significant in both subgroups. The analyses of the testes size parameters revealed 31 significant associations. The numbers of significant SNPs within the genetic groups evidenced the strong population specific effects. A multivariate approach using PC revealed 33 significant associations for five different PC.ConclusionsBased on Pietrain sired cross bred boars, the mayor objective of our study was to identify QTL for boar taint components and to detect pleiotropy among boar taint and testes traits. The high number of identified QTL revealed that boar taint traits are influenced by a large number of loci. Analyzing pleiotropy allowed identifying a QTL affecting androstenone and the gonasomatic index. In this region, QTL for ovulation rate and age at puberty of sows have been described in literature. This supports the physiological findings that the androstenone level of boars and reproduction performance of sows might be linked by an antagonistic relationship.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12863-015-0194-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effect of immunocastration on sex glands of male Mangulica (Swallow-bellied Mangalitsa) pigs

“…Likewise, Jacyno et al (2015) determined greater volume of left than right testis (299 and 281 cm 3 , respectively) and greater length of left than right testis (13.8 and 13.4 cm, respectively). In the present study on Mangulica pigs, the size of testicles in the group of entire males was smaller (the volume and weight of testicles being 13-25%; the length and circumference being 8-20% smaller) than recently published for pigs of modern breeds (Jacyno et al, 2015;Große-Brinkhaus et al, 2015;Lugar et al, 2017). This was regardless of the fact that our entire Mangulica males were much older (approximately one year old at slaughter), and their average body weight was similar to that of pigs in other studies (Jacyno et al, 2015;Große-Brinkhaus et al, 2015;Lugar et al, 2017).…”

Improving the Efficiency of Genomic Selection in Chinese Simmental beef cattle

“…The second theAstle and Balding's model often used in GWAS research and proved it had a very good effect [32][33][34]. Compared with the two models, Xu's model also can provide the close relationship with markers.…”

Exploiting whole genome sequence data to fine map and characterize candidate genes within a quantitative trait loci region affecting androstenone on porcine chromosome 5

“…; Große‐Brinkhaus et al . ) and/or candidate genes (Zadinová et al . ) affecting levels of androstenone and skatole.…”