Polymorphism of <i>VRTN</i> Gene g.20311_20312ins291 Was Associated with the Number of Ribs, Carcass Diagonal Length and Cannon Bone Circumference in Suhuai Pigs
Nengjing Jiang,
Chenxi Liu,
Tingxu Lan,
Qian Zhang,
Yang Cao,
Guang Pu,
Peipei Niu,
Zongping Zhang,
Qiang Li,
Juan Zhou,
Xiaokui Li,
Liming Hou,
Ruihua Huang,
Pinghua Li
Affiliations
Nengjing Jiang
Institute of Swine Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Chenxi Liu
Institute of Swine Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Tingxu Lan
Institute of Swine Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Qian Zhang
Institute of Swine Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Yang Cao
Institute of Swine Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Guang Pu
Institute of Swine Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Peipei Niu
Huaian Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Huaian 223005, China
Zongping Zhang
Huaian Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Huaian 223005, China
Qiang Li
Huaiyin pig Breeding Farm of Huaian City, Huaian 223322, China
Juan Zhou
Huaiyin pig Breeding Farm of Huaian City, Huaian 223322, China
Xiaokui Li
Guangdong Wangjiang Pig Breeding Company Limited, Yangjiang 529948, China
Liming Hou
Institute of Swine Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Ruihua Huang
Institute of Swine Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Pinghua Li
Institute of Swine Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
The vertnin (VRTN) gene g.20311_20312ins291 was reported as an important variant related to the number of ribs (RIB), and the ins/ins genotype was advantageous for improving RIB of Western pigs. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the VRTN gene g.20311_20312ins291 influences RIB, carcass traits, and body size traits, including cannon bone circumference (CBC) in Chinese Suhuai pigs. We found that the VRTN gene g.20311_20312ins291 was polymorphic in Suhuai fattening pigs and gilts. The polymorphism of g.20311_20312ins291 was significantly associated with RIB and CDL in Suhuai fattening pigs (p < 0.01), whereas this variant had no influence on carcass weight (CWT). There was a tendency of association between this variant and carcass straight length (CSL) in Suhuai fattening pigs (p = 0.06). The polymorphism of g.20311_20312ins291 was also significantly associated with CBC in Suhuai gilts (p = 0.04). Furthermore, CBC was positively genetically correlated with body length (0.22, p < 0.01) and body weight (0.15, p < 0.01). Our results indicated that the VRTN gene g.20311_20312ins291 could be used as a potential marker for improving RIB, CDL, and CBC in Suhuai pigs.
