Review article

CANDIDATE GENES FOR SLAUGHTER TRAITS IN PIGS

Polonca Frajman ; Poljoprivredni fakultet u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
Vladimir Margeta ; Poljoprivredni fakultet u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
Gordana Kralk ; Poljoprivredni fakultet u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska

Abstract

Rapid development of DNA research techniques in the last few
decades has enabled identification of genes that underlie genetic variation of production traits observed in livestock species. Identification of these genes is expected to allow more efficient selection with employment of genetic markers and to yield more accurate insight into the physiology of the corresponding traits. Majority of production traits are polygenic and the first step in the determination of their genetic background is in searching for
so called candidate genes with an impact on a defined trait.
Production traits in pigs, like growth and carcass characteristics, play
an important role in pig breeding and selection. Like many other
economically important traits in farm animals they are determined by an unknown number of genes together with environmental factors. Meat quality assessment is based on measuring some phenotypic traits like intramuscular fat content, pH-value, electric conductivity, drip loss and color. The study of candidate genes, in connection with phenotypic effects, is an important tool to identify genes to be used in marker-assisted selection programs. This work is a review of some candidate genes for which it has been established that they have an important impact on carcass traits in pigs, like for example growth hormone gene complex, PPARGC1, pituitaryspecific transcription factor, melanocortin receptor and myogenin.

Keywords

pigs; candidate genes; carcass traits

Hrčak ID:

32683

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/32683

Publication date:

22.12.2008.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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