The MC4R c.893G&gt;A mutation: A marker for growth and leanness associated with boar taint odour in Belgian pig breeds

Schroyen, Martine; Janssens, Steven; Stinckens, Anneleen; Brebels, Machteld; Bertolini, Francesca; Lamberigts, Chris; Bekaert, Karen; Vanhaecke, Lynn; Aluwé, Marijke; Tuyttens, Frank; Millet, Sam; Buys, Nadine

doi:10.1016/j.meatsci.2014.08.009

Cited by 10 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 36 publications

(46 reference statements)

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“…We therefore conducted a controlled experimental study with littermates that differed only in MC4R genotype to detect true effects of the mutation on the phenotype. Also, apart from the observational study that suggested a link between the MC4R genotype on boar taint (Schroyen et al, 2014), to our knowledge, this was the first study designed to evaluate the effect of this missense mutation on boar taint.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pigs with lower lean meat percentage (A allele) could possibly have higher levels of boar taint compared to pigs with higher lean meat percentage (G allele). In a recent observational study, the MC4R genotype was associated with higher levels of boar taint (Schroyen et al, 2014). Still, an intervention study is necessary to confirm the association, especially when one genotype is overrepresented in the population.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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An intervention study demonstrates effects of genotype on boar taint and performances of growing–finishing pigs

Broeke¹,

Aluwé²,

Tuyttens³

et al. 2015

Journal of Animal Science

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The Asp298Asn polymorphism of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) in pigs is known to affect economically important traits such as growth rate and backfat thickness. We have assessed the possible use of this polymorphism as a molecular marker to perform genetic selection toward lower boar taint levels without compromising growth performance and carcass and meat quality in commercial boars and gilts. Homozygous boars and gilts of the AA genotype and GG genotype were compared in an intervention study with a 2 × 2 design to assess main effects and possible interactions between sex and genotype. The concentrations of the 3 boar taint compounds androstenone ( = 0.044), skatole ( = 0.049), and indole ( = 0.006) were significantly higher in fat of AA boars compared to GG boars. However, no effect on the sensory analysis of the fat samples could be observed. Between 20 and 115 kg BW, AA pigs showed higher ADFI than GG pigs ( < 0.001). An interaction between genotype and sex was observed for ADG ( = 0.044): AA boars had a significantly higher ADG than GG boars but there was no significant difference between the gilts. Daily lean meat gain tended to be higher in boars compared to gilts ( = 0.051), independent of genotype. Similarly, boars showed higher G:F compared to gilts ( < 0.001), without effect of genotype. Genotype and sex affected several carcass quality parameters but there was no interaction. Pigs of the AA genotype displayed a lower dressing percentage ( = 0.005), lower ham width ( = 0.024), lower muscle thickness ( = 0.011), and higher fat thickness ( < 0.001), resulting in a lower lean meat percentage ( < 0.001) in comparison with GG pigs. Gilts had a significantly higher dressing percentage ( < 0.001), higher muscle thickness ( < 0.001), higher ham width ( < 0.001), and lower ham angle ( < 0.001) compared to boars. Other than the boar taint compounds, meat quality was not affected by genotype. Pork of gilts was darker ( = 0.014) and less exudative during cooking ( < 0.001) and contained more intramuscular fat ( = 0.013). These results indicate that genetic selection against boar taint is possible using this marker. This will also result in lower feed intake and ADG and, consequently, better carcass quality.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

An intervention study demonstrates effects of genotype on boar taint and performances of growing–finishing pigs

Broeke¹,

Aluwé²,

Tuyttens³

et al. 2015

Journal of Animal Science

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“…Lameness of the pigs was not affected by MC4R genotype. Schroyen et al (2015) showed that the Asp298Asn polymorphism of the MC4R gene could serve as a marker for boar taint. The A allele was associated with a higher boar taint odour score assigned by experts compared with the G allele.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The A allele is associated with a higher boar taint odour score assigned by experts compared with the G allele (Schroyen et al, 2015) and boars of the AA genotype had higher concentrations of the three boar taint compounds androstenone, skatole, and indole compared with boars of the GG genotype (Van den Broeke et al, 2015). The aim of this study was therefore to assess the effect of this marker on the plasma profile of boar taint compounds and on testosterone, sexual maturity and behaviour of boars and gilts.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of the MC4R gene on boar taint compounds, sexual maturity and behaviour in growing-finishing boars and gilts

Broeke¹,

Aluwé²,

Janssens

et al. 2015

Animal

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Societal pressure to ban surgical castration of male piglets is rising due to animal welfare concerns, thus other methods to prevent boar taint need to be explored. Genetic selection against boar taint appears to be a long-term sustainable alternative. However, as boar taint is linked to reproductive hormones, it is important to consider possible negative side effects such as delayed sexual maturity or changes in behaviour. We reported earlier that the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) marker can be used to reduce boar taint levels in fat of boars. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether MC4R marker-assisted selection for lower boar taint prevalence affects plasma levels of boar taint compounds and testosterone; sexual maturity; behaviour; skin lesions; and lameness in boars and gilts. Using an intervention study with a 2 × 2 design, 264 boars and gilts differing on position 893 of the MC4R gene (AA v. GG) were compared. The MC4R polymorphism did not affect the plasma concentration of either androstenone or testosterone at different time points, whereas the concentration of skatole was significantly lower ( P = 0.003) and the concentration of indole tended to be lower ( P = 0.074) in GG compared with AA boars. A higher percentage of gilts of the GG genotype were in puberty at slaughter age compared with AA gilts ( P < 0.001). The age of the boars at sexual maturity (as indicated by the first positive preputial smear test) did not differ between AA and GG boars. In contrast, weight of GG boars at sexual maturity tended to be lower ( P = 0.065). During the period from 6 weeks of age to slaughter, boars and gilts of the GG genotype showed more playing behaviour ( P = 0.015) and less passive and feeding behaviour ( P = 0.003). They showed more skin lesions on their back and caudal area ( P = 0.022), and tended to show more skin lesions on their head and anterior area ( P = 0.093) compared with AA animals. In conclusion, the polymorphism in the MC4R gene can be used as a marker without negative effects on reproduction characteristics in boars and gilts. Genetic selection towards a lower prevalence of boar taint will lead to more active pigs with more skin lesions. Management strategies may therefore be necessary to reduce skin lesions in the selected animals.

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“…MC4R gene polymorphism have also been identified as genetic markers for ADG, FGR, back fat tickness, fatness, leanness, fat distribution, and feed intake in pig (Piorkowska et al, 2010;Galve et al, 2012;Fontanesi et al, 2013;Schroyen et al, 2015), life weight, ADG, carcass weight, back fat thickness, marbling, and dressing percentage in cattle (Zhang et al, 2009;Liu et al, 2010;Seong et al, 2011), body weight, body measurement, meat quality, back fat thickness, and loin-eye area in sheep (Zhang et al, 2009;Song et al, 2012;Zou et al, 2013;Wang et al, 2015) and body weight in Boer goat (Jun et al, 2013). However, no report on the MC4R gene study have been identified in Bligon goat.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Analysis Using Partial Sequencing of Melanocortin 4 Receptor (MC4R) Gene in Bligon Goat

Latifah¹,

Priyadi²,

Maharani³

et al. 2017

Med Pet

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The MC4R c.893G>A mutation: A marker for growth and leanness associated with boar taint odour in Belgian pig breeds

Cited by 10 publications

References 36 publications

An intervention study demonstrates effects of genotype on boar taint and performances of growing–finishing pigs

An intervention study demonstrates effects of genotype on boar taint and performances of growing–finishing pigs

The effect of the MC4R gene on boar taint compounds, sexual maturity and behaviour in growing-finishing boars and gilts

Genetic Analysis Using Partial Sequencing of Melanocortin 4 Receptor (MC4R) Gene in Bligon Goat

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