Abstract
Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 gene (DGAT1) involved in the synthesis and transport of triglycerides is located on chromosome 4 in pigs, in the region with about 200 QTLs responsible among other things for: fat thickness, daily gains, fat content and composition of fatty acids. It is thus probable that the gene polymorphism (as in cows) may affect the fat content in colostrum and milk of sows. The objective of the experiment was to assess the effect of DGAT1 polymorphism on the milk composition of sows and as a result on piglet rearing during the suckling period. The experiment was performed on 207 sows of breeds used in breeding program as a dam-line: polish large white (PLW) and polish landrace (PL). Colostrum and milk of sows were collected at 1, 7, 14 and 21 days of lactation to assay solids, total protein, fat and lactose. Data on piglet rearing performance were collected at 1, 7, 14 and 21 days of lactation. The tests performed showed that A/G rs45434075 DGAT1 mutation occurring in PLW and PL sows did not significantly affect the quality of their colostrum and milk expressed as solids content, and at the same time on piglet rearing performance. However, it was observed that PLW sows of the DGAT1GG genotype was characterised by a higher fat content in colostrum, whereas PL sows of the same genotype had an increased protein content and a reduced lactose content in milk. Key words: DGAT1, Polymorphism, milk, rearing of piglets, maternal breed.
Highlights
The effect of gene mutations on the chemical composition of porcine milk has not been widely studied so far
The objective of the experiment was to assess the effect of Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 gene (DGAT1) polymorphism on the milk composition of sows and as a result on piglet rearing during the suckling period
The tests performed showed that A/G rs45434075 DGAT1 mutation occurring in polish large white (PLW) and polish landrace (PL) sows did not significantly affect the quality of their colostrum and milk expressed as solids content, and at the same time on piglet rearing performance
Summary
The effect of gene mutations on the chemical composition of porcine milk has not been widely studied so far. The MC4RA and LEPRB alleles reduce the content of fat, protein and solids in the colostrum of sows. Another interesting gene in this respect might be diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1), whose expression in mammals occurs mainly in the small intestine. Cows with lysine variant in position 232 aa sequence of the DGAT1 protein were characterised with a higher content mainly of milk fat, and of protein The effect of this mutation was confirmed in three subsequent lactations of cows (Thaller et al, 2003). Studies on Charolaise, Limousin and Retina cattle (Aviles et al, 2013) showed that K232A polymorphism of the DGAT1 gene affected thickness of cattle fat cover
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