Association of mahogany/attractin gene (ATRN) with porcine growth and fat

Abstract

Associations of restriction fragment length polymorphism in porcine attractin (ATRN) gene with average daily gain (ADG), live weight (LWT) and back fat thickness (BFT) were studied with one exotic composition population (Xianghuang) and three local breeds (Ningxing, Shaziling and Daweizi) in China. Two types of alleles were detected; one with the band size of 700 bp (A) and the other with the band size of 450 and 250 bp (B), and their genotypes were classified as AA, AB and BB. Polymorphisms were observed in the exotic breed, but not in the three local breeds. Individuals with the genotype BB showed larger ADG and LWT than those with AA in Xianghuang population (p<0.05). The breed specific effects of the porcine attractin gene in this study implied that identification of the polymorphisms and determination of genetic effects on phenotypes should be performed in the target populations.