Research and Reviews: Swine 2001

Special Circular 185-01

An Investigation into the Genetic Controls of Pork Quality: I. Association Studies with Leptin Receptor, Melanocortin-4 Receptor, Melanocortin-5 Receptor, and Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor-γ

Rebecca Emnett^*, Steven Moeller^1*, Keith Irvin^*, Max Rothschild^# , Graham Plastow^**, and Rodney Goodwin^x
*The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences
^#Iowa State University Department of Animal Science
^**PIC International Group
^xNational Pork Producers Council

Abstract

Consumers and many sectors of the pork industry are demanding improvements in meat quality. This provides a new challenge for the breeding industry, which is seeking advanced genetic tools that can be practically incorporated into selection schemes for trait improvement. The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic influences four meat quality candidate genes (LEPR, MC4R, MC5R, and PPARγ), which could have possible effects on meat quality and performance in the pig. Interesting associations were found between the markers studied and various quality and performance characteristics unique for each genetic marker. Total population analysis revealed effects on backfat and average daily gain for LEPR; backfat and Instron tenderness for MC4R; backfat for MC5R, and off flavor score for PPARγ. Results of this study indicate that there is great potential for the improvement of meat quality traits through the use of genetic markers in swine.