Guangdong nongye kexue (Nov 2023)

Identification of VRTN Gene Mutation in Liang Guang Small Spotted Pigs and Analysis of Its Effects on Carcass and Meat Quality Traits

  • Weilun JIANG,
  • Jianhua ZENG,
  • Deqing SONG,
  • Xiaohong LIU,
  • Yaosheng CHEN,
  • Zuyong HE

DOI
https://doi.org/10.16768/j.issn.1004-874X.2023.11.012
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 50, no. 11
pp. 123 – 131

Abstract

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【Objective】The mutations in the VRTN gene g.20311_20312ins291 and g.19034A>C have been found to influence the number of thoracic vertebrae in lean meat pigs. These mutations can increase the number of thoracic vertebrae. This study aims to investigate the frequency of VRTN gene mutations in the Liang Guang Small Spotted pig populations and their impact on carcass and meat quality traits, providing reference for molecular breeding of Liang Guang Small Spotted pigs.【Method】Genomic DNA of 69 Liang Guang Small Spotted pigs was extracted and subjected to PCR amplification. Gel electrophoresis and TA cloning were used to detect the mutations at the g.20311_20312ins291 and g.19034A>C loci of the VRTN gene. Carcass and meat quality traits of the population were recorded, and the animals were grouped based on their mutation status. Statistical analysis was performed using t-tests.【Result】Among the population, 5 individuals were identified as carrying heterozygous mutations at both loci, indicating that the two mutations may be closely linked, with a frequency of 3.62% for both mutations. Statistical analysis indicated that the VRTN linked mutation allele did not significantly affect the number of ribs in Liang Guang Small Spotted pigs. However, they did affect carcass and meat quality traits. In terms of carcass traits, the VRTN gene heterozygous mutations significantly increased body length by 4.6% (P C are detected in the Liang Guang Small Spotted pig populations, but their frequencies are relatively low. These two mutations may be tightly linked. The VRTN gene heterozygous mutations will not increase the number of thoracic vertebrae in Liang Guang Small Spotted pigs, but they improve carcass traits to some extent while also have adverse effects on meat quality traits. Future breeding of Liang Guang Small Spotted pigs needs to balance the impact of VRTN gene mutations on carcass traits and meat quality traits.

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