Genomic Association Analysis of Growth and Backfat Traits in Large White Pigs

Abstract

The pig industry is significantly influenced by complex traits such as growth rate and fat deposition, which have substantial implications for economic returns. Over the years, remarkable genetic advancements have been achieved through intense artificial selection to enhance these traits in pigs. In this study, we aimed to investigate the genetic factors that contribute to growth efficiency and lean meat percentages in Large White pigs. Specifically, we focused on analyzing two key traits: age at 100 kg live weight (AGE100) and backfat thickness at 100 kg (BF100), in three distinct Large White pig populations—500 Canadian, 295 Danish, and 1500 American large white pigs. By employing population genomic techniques, we observed significant population stratification among these pig populations. Utilizing imputed whole-genome sequencing data, we conducted single population genome-wide association studies (GWAS) as well as a combined meta-analysis across the three populations to identify genetic markers associated with the aforementioned traits. Our analyses highlighted several candidate genes, such as CNTN1—which has been linked to weight loss in mice and is potentially influential for AGE100—and MC4R, which is associated with obesity and appetite and may impact both traits. Additionally, we identified other genes—namely, PDZRN4, LIPM, and ANKRD22—which play a partial role in fat growth. Our findings provide valuable insights into the genetic basis of these important traits in Large White pigs, which may inform breeding strategies for improved production efficiency and meat quality.

A Comparative Study on the Growth Performance and Gut Microbial Composition of Duroc and Yorkshire Boars

“…Therefore, the breeding of boars with outstanding production performance to serve as terminal male parents holds immense significance for the advancement of the pig industry. A body weight of 100 kg commonly serves as an indicator of the growth rate and feed efficiency of tested pigs [ 20 ], a threshold that also aligns with the optimal slaughter weight for lean pigs. In this study, we observed the age, backfat thickness, and eye muscle area of boars between the DD and PY groups when they weighted 100 kg.…”

Genetic basis of phenotypic convergence in pig terminal sires using pathway‐based selection signature detection methods

“…As globally recognized lean meat pig breeds, Duroc and Pietrain pigs have been utilized as terminal sires in pig hybrid systems (Pedersen et al., 2019). Owing to their similar breeding directions, both Duroc and Pietrain pigs demonstrate a rapid growth rate and a high lean meat percentage as a result of long‐term artificial selection (Zhou et al., 2023), making them natural models for exploring phenotypic convergence and adaptive evolution (Rubin et al., 2012). In recent years, the identification of parallel selection signatures between populations has emerged as a pivotal focus in the field of population genetics, propelled by advancements in genome sequencing technology and statistical genomics.…”