Genome-Wide Association Analysis and Genetic Parameters for Feed Efficiency and Related Traits in Yorkshire and Duroc Pigs
Feed efficiency (FE) traits are key factors that can influence the economic benefits of pig production. However, little is known about the genetic architecture of FE and FE-related traits. This study aimed to identify SNPs and candidate genes associated with FE and FE-related traits, namely, average...
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MDPI AG
2022-07-01
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| author | Weining Li Zhaojun Wang Shenghao Luo Jianliang Wu Lei Zhou Jianfeng Liu |
| author_facet | Weining Li Zhaojun Wang Shenghao Luo Jianliang Wu Lei Zhou Jianfeng Liu |
| author_sort | Weining Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Feed efficiency (FE) traits are key factors that can influence the economic benefits of pig production. However, little is known about the genetic architecture of FE and FE-related traits. This study aimed to identify SNPs and candidate genes associated with FE and FE-related traits, namely, average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), the feed conversion ratio (FCR), and residual feed intake (RFI). The phenotypes of 5823 boars with genotyped data (50 K BeadChip) from 1365 boars from a nucleus farm were used to perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of two breeds, Duroc and Yorkshire. Moreover, we performed a genetic parameter estimation for four FE and FE-related traits. The heritabilities of the FE and FE-related traits ranged from 0.13 to 0.36, and there were significant genetic correlations (−0.69 to 0.52) of the FE and FE-related traits with two growth traits (age at 100 kg and backfat thickness at 100 kg). A total of 61 significant SNPs located on eight different chromosomes associated with the four FE and FE-related traits were identified. We further identified four regions associated with FE and FE-related traits that have not been previously reported, and they may be potential novel QTLs for FE. Considering their biological functions, we finally identified 35 candidate genes relevant for FE and FE-related traits, such as the widely reported <i>MC4R</i> and <i>INSR</i> genes. A gene enrichment analysis showed that FE and FE-related traits were highly enriched in the biosynthesis, digestion, and metabolism of biomolecules. This study deepens our understanding of the genetic mechanisms of FE in pigs and provides valuable information for using marker-assisted selection in pigs to improve FE. |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:40:33Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
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| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-c7eeef0103834a2c85fdfee8c16bea5e2023-12-03T12:25:39ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152022-07-011215190210.3390/ani12151902Genome-Wide Association Analysis and Genetic Parameters for Feed Efficiency and Related Traits in Yorkshire and Duroc PigsWeining Li0Zhaojun Wang1Shenghao Luo2Jianliang Wu3Lei Zhou4Jianfeng Liu5College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, ChinaBeijing Zhongyu Pig Breeding Co., Ltd., Beijing 100194, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, ChinaBeijing Zhongyu Pig Breeding Co., Ltd., Beijing 100194, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, ChinaFeed efficiency (FE) traits are key factors that can influence the economic benefits of pig production. However, little is known about the genetic architecture of FE and FE-related traits. This study aimed to identify SNPs and candidate genes associated with FE and FE-related traits, namely, average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), the feed conversion ratio (FCR), and residual feed intake (RFI). The phenotypes of 5823 boars with genotyped data (50 K BeadChip) from 1365 boars from a nucleus farm were used to perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of two breeds, Duroc and Yorkshire. Moreover, we performed a genetic parameter estimation for four FE and FE-related traits. The heritabilities of the FE and FE-related traits ranged from 0.13 to 0.36, and there were significant genetic correlations (−0.69 to 0.52) of the FE and FE-related traits with two growth traits (age at 100 kg and backfat thickness at 100 kg). A total of 61 significant SNPs located on eight different chromosomes associated with the four FE and FE-related traits were identified. We further identified four regions associated with FE and FE-related traits that have not been previously reported, and they may be potential novel QTLs for FE. Considering their biological functions, we finally identified 35 candidate genes relevant for FE and FE-related traits, such as the widely reported <i>MC4R</i> and <i>INSR</i> genes. A gene enrichment analysis showed that FE and FE-related traits were highly enriched in the biosynthesis, digestion, and metabolism of biomolecules. This study deepens our understanding of the genetic mechanisms of FE in pigs and provides valuable information for using marker-assisted selection in pigs to improve FE.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/15/1902feed efficiencypigGWASgenetic parametersDEBVs |
| spellingShingle | Weining Li Zhaojun Wang Shenghao Luo Jianliang Wu Lei Zhou Jianfeng Liu Genome-Wide Association Analysis and Genetic Parameters for Feed Efficiency and Related Traits in Yorkshire and Duroc Pigs Animals feed efficiency pig GWAS genetic parameters DEBVs |
| title | Genome-Wide Association Analysis and Genetic Parameters for Feed Efficiency and Related Traits in Yorkshire and Duroc Pigs |
| title_full | Genome-Wide Association Analysis and Genetic Parameters for Feed Efficiency and Related Traits in Yorkshire and Duroc Pigs |
| title_fullStr | Genome-Wide Association Analysis and Genetic Parameters for Feed Efficiency and Related Traits in Yorkshire and Duroc Pigs |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genome-Wide Association Analysis and Genetic Parameters for Feed Efficiency and Related Traits in Yorkshire and Duroc Pigs |
| title_short | Genome-Wide Association Analysis and Genetic Parameters for Feed Efficiency and Related Traits in Yorkshire and Duroc Pigs |
| title_sort | genome wide association analysis and genetic parameters for feed efficiency and related traits in yorkshire and duroc pigs |
| topic | feed efficiency pig GWAS genetic parameters DEBVs |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/15/1902 |
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