Abstract
The association of the RNF4, RBP4, and IGF2 genotypes and their additive genetic effects with litter size in purebred Landrace and Yorkshire sows were studied. The results revealed significant associations between the RNF4 and RBP4 genotypes with the total number of piglets born (TNB) and number of piglets born alive (NBA) traits (P <0.05). The RNF4 CC genotype had greater TNB and NBA than the TT genotype in both breeds. The RBP4 BB genotype had greater TNB and NBA than the AA genotype in the Landrace breed. Significant additive effects of the RNF4 and RBP4 genes on the TNB and NBA were detected (P <0.05). No significant associations of the IGF2 genotypes and their additive effects with any reproductive traits were observed in both Landrace and Yorkshire sows (P >0.05). The results suggested that the RNF4 and RBP4 genes could be useful in selection for increasing TNB and NBA traits in pigs.
Highlights
Improvement in litter size has become of great interest in the pig industry as good fecundity is directly related to a sow's productive life
The amplification conditions followed the temperature programs of: (1) 94oC for 4min followed by 35 cycles of 94oC for 45s, 53oC for 45s, 72oC for 2 min, and ending with a final step of 72oC for 10min for Ring finger protein 4 (RNF4); (2) 95oC for 3min followed by Additive genetic effects of RNF4, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), and insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) polymorphisms on litter size in Landrace and Yorkshire sows
Significant additive RBP4 effects of 0.39 ± 0.13 piglets/litter for the total number of piglets born (TNB) and 0.31 ± 0.13 piglets/litter for the number of piglets born alive (NBA) were detected in the Landrace population for the B allele (P
Summary
Improvement in litter size has become of great interest in the pig industry as good fecundity is directly related to a sow's productive life. Litter size is defined as the total number of piglets born (TNB), number of piglets born alive (NBA), or number weaned (NW). All these reproductive traits are expressed only in females and after sexual maturity. These biological characteristics and their low heritability limit the effectiveness of selection for prolificacy. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) could be an important tool for genetic improvement of litter size. A few candidate genes for litter size have already been identified in pigs according to their
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