Mapping quantitative trait loci for meat quality on pig chromosome 3, 4 and 7

Abstract

The objective of this study was to localize QTL affecting meat quality in a pig family of three generations. All animals were genotyped for twenty-four microsatellites on SSC3 (Sus scrofa chromosome 3), SSC4 and SSC7. One hundred and forty F2 offsprings were scored for eleven meat quality traits. Least square regression interval mapping revealed quantitative trait loci (QTL) effect for meat pH (m. Semipinalis Capitis, SC) on SSC4 and SSC7; for moisture (m. Longissimus Dorsi, LD) on SSC3. Furthermore, there was suggestive evidence for a QTL on SSC4 affecting intramuscular fat (IMF) content that nearly approached the chromosome-wise (p=0.05) significance threshold.