Polymorphism of Growth Hormone Gene in 12 Pig Breeds and Its Relationship with Pig Growth and Carcass Traits

Wang Wenjun,Chen Kefei,Ding Nengshui,Huang Lusheng,Gao Jun,Luo Ming,Ren Jun

doi:10.5713/ajas.2003.161

Abstract

The polymorphism of the growth hormone gene in 12 pig breeds (total n=475) was detected by PCR-ApaⅠ-RFLP, and allele A (449 bp, 101 bp and 55 bp) or allele B (316 bp, 133 bp, 101 bp and 55 bp) were observed. In these pig breeds, we found that European pig breeds had high frequencies of allele B, while Chinese native pig breeds had high frequencies of allele A. In addition, the role of porcine GH was investigated in 117 Nanchang White pigs and 361 Large Yorkshire pigs. Eight traits about growth and carcass were recorded for analyzing associations between GH gene polymorphism and performance quantitative traits. In the Nanchang White pigs, no significant difference was observed between different genotypes and different growth and carcass traits. In Large Yorkshire pigs, those with BB genotype had more lean percentage than pigs with AA genotype (p<0.05). Based on these results, we conclude that the GH locus should be further investigated in commercial breeds to determine its suitability for use in marker-assisted selection programmes. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2003. Vol 16, No. 2 : 161-164)

Highlights

Growth rate and body composition are two important characteristics in livestock production
Knorr et al (1997), who reported that western pigs carried
The results of Cheng et al (2000) showed that growth performance traits in Duroc, Landrace and Tao-Yun pig breeds were highly correlated with their growth hormone genotype

Summary

Introduction

Growth rate and body composition are two important characteristics in livestock production. Swine production demands high growth rate and high lean percentage, together with efficient conversion of feed to meat. Exogeneous porcine somatotropin (GH) administration causes higher muscle mass and lower fatness in pigs. Feed conversion rate and daily gain are improved (Etherton et al, 1986; Mikel et al, 1993). The effect of porcine somatotropin depends on the genetic potential for fat deposition of the breed, e.g. animals of German Landrace and the Schwerfurther Race showed a higher response to administrated somatotropin than Pietrain (Ender and Rehfedlt, 1993). Pigs selected for high weights at slaughter or low average back-fat thickness have higher basal concentrations of GH than unselected animals (Lund-Larsen and Bakke, 1975; Arbona et al, 1988)

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Conclusion