Genome-Wide Association Study of Body Conformation Traits in a Three-Way Crossbred Commercial Pig Population

Shaoxiong Deng; Yibin Qiu; Zhanwei Zhuang; Jie Wu; Xuehua Li; Donglin Ruan; Cineng Xu; Enqing Zheng; Ming Yang; Gengyuan Cai; Jie Yang; Zhenfang Wu; Sixiu Huang

doi:10.3390/ani13152414

Animals (Jul 2023)

Genome-Wide Association Study of Body Conformation Traits in a Three-Way Crossbred Commercial Pig Population

Shaoxiong Deng,
Yibin Qiu,
Zhanwei Zhuang,
Jie Wu,
Xuehua Li,
Donglin Ruan,
Cineng Xu,
Enqing Zheng,
Ming Yang,
Gengyuan Cai,
Jie Yang,
Zhenfang Wu,
Sixiu Huang

Affiliations

Shaoxiong Deng: College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Yibin Qiu: College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Zhanwei Zhuang: College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Jie Wu: College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Xuehua Li: College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Donglin Ruan: College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Cineng Xu: College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Enqing Zheng: College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Ming Yang: College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, China
Gengyuan Cai: College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Jie Yang: College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Zhenfang Wu: College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Sixiu Huang: College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152414
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13, no. 15
p. 2414

Abstract

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Body conformation is the most direct production index, which can fully reflect pig growth status and is closely related to critical economic traits. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on body conformation traits in a population of 1518 Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire) commercial pigs. These traits included body length (BL), body height (BH), chest circumference (CC), abdominal circumference (AC), and waist circumference (WC). Both the mixed linear model (MLM) and fixed and random model circulating probability unification (FarmCPU) approaches were employed for the analysis. Our findings revealed 60 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with these body conformation traits in the crossbred pig population. Specifically, sixteen SNPs were significantly associated with BL, three SNPs with BH, thirteen SNPs with CC, twelve SNPs with AC, and sixteen SNPs with WC. Moreover, we identified several promising candidate genes located within the genomic regions associated with body conformation traits. These candidate genes include INTS10, KIRREL3, SOX21, BMP2, MAP4K3, SOD3, FAM160B1, ATL2, SPRED2, SEC16B, and RASAL2. Furthermore, our analysis revealed a novel significant quantitative trait locus (QTL) on SSC7 specifically associated with waist circumference, spanning an 84 kb interval. Overall, the identification of these significant SNPs and potential candidate genes in crossbred commercial pigs enhances our understanding of the genetic basis underlying body conformation traits. Additionally, these findings provide valuable genetic resources for pig breeding programs.

Published in Animals

ISSN: 2076-2615 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Agriculture: Animal culture: Veterinary medicine; Science: Zoology
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/animals/

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