engleski

Candidate genes for slaughter traits in pigs

Rapid development of recombinant DNA techniques in the last few decades 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 in to the physiology of the corresponding traits. Majority of production traits are polygenic and a firs 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, are playing 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 has been established that they have an important impact on carcass traits in pigs, like for example growth hormone gene complex, PPARGC1, pituitary-specific transcription factor, melanocortin receptor and myogenin.

pigs; candidate genes; carcass traits

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