Polymorphisms of exon 10 in the BPI gene and its association analysis with some reproductive traits and partial immune indexes in Meishan pigs

Abstract

This study was conducted to detect polymorphisms of BPI gene exon 10 by PCR-RFLP in Meishan pigs and their associations with some important cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TGF-1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α) and reproductive traits (total number born (TNB), number born alive (NBA), birth litter weight (BLW), and weaning litter weight (WLW)), with the aim of identifying effective genetic markers for molecular breeding. The results revealed three genotypes, including AA, AB, and BB, with the trend of AA > BB > AB in reproductive traits. Pigs with the AA genotype were significantly higher than the AB genotype in TNB and IFN-γ (P < 0.05), and extremely significantly higher in NBA and WLW (P < 0.01). Moreover, TGF-1β and TNF-α levels were significantly higher in the AA genotype than the BB genotype (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences among the three genotypes in the levels of other cytokines (P > 0.05). Comprehensive analysis indicated that the polymorphisms of exon 10 in the BPI gene have significant genetic effects on some reproductive traits and cytokines in Meishan pigs, for which the AA genotype was demonstrated to be the favorable genotype, which could be used as potential genetic markers for in-depth research and examination.