Association of RBP4 Genotype with Phenotypic Reproductive Traits of Sows.

A Marantidis,G P Laliotis,M Avdi

doi:10.1155/2016/4940532

A Marantidis, G P Laliotis + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/4940532

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Abstract

PCR-RFLP was applied to a commercial crossbred pig population in order to investigate the association between polymorphism (SNP) of Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) gene and reproductive performance. 400 sows were genotyped and 2000 records of reproductive traits were used in order to retrieve information about the allele frequencies and the association of the RBP4 gene with main reproductive characteristics of the population. A deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed as a result of the AB genotype excess. In addition, the AA genotype saw statistically significant higher values of (i) the total number of born piglets (p < 0.05), (ii) the number of piglets born alive (p < 0.01), and (iii) the number of weaned piglets (p < 0.01). The number of the mummified piglets and the number of the piglets born dead did not differ between the various RBP4 genotypes. Interestingly, the AA genotype had a negative impact (p < 0.05) on the number of piglets born dead, resulting indirectly in a larger litter size. In conclusion, the AA genotype and in extension the A allele of RBP4 gene are in favor of producing larger litter size, suggesting that the RBP4 gene may be used in Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) programs for a rapid improvement of the reproductive characteristics in pigs.

Highlights

The implementation of reliable genetic markers on the Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) programs applied to the pig industry may result in small to moderate increases in litter size that would improve farm economic performance
Reproductive traits that were taken into account were (i) the total number of born piglets (TNB), (ii) the number of piglets born alive (NBA), (iii) the number of piglets born dead (NBD), (iv) the number of mummified piglets (NBM), (v) the number of aborted piglets (ABRT), and (vi) the number of weaned piglets (NW)
Sun et al [21] reported that crossbreed pigs with the AA genotype produced 0.72 TNB, 0.64 NBA more than the BB genotypic sows, while Goncalves et al [22] reported that A allele of Retinolbinding protein 4 (RBP4) gene produced more piglets (TNB) and more live piglets per litter (NBA)

Summary

Introduction

The implementation of reliable genetic markers on the Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) programs applied to the pig industry may result in small to moderate increases in litter size that would improve farm economic performance. The RBP4 gene is expressed during the period of fast elongation of the pig blastocyst [3]. This is a critical period for the survival of the embryos. Harney et al [4] reported an increased expression of the RBP4 gene in the gravid endometrium, between the 10th to 12th day of pregnancy of sows, suggesting that the respective coding protein (RBP4) plays an important role in uterine and conceptus physiology during the establishment of pregnancy. RBP4 is reported as a candidate gene for litter size owing to its possible role at the time of embryonic development [1]

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