P0633 Associations between multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 33 candidate genes and meat quality traits in commercial pigs

Chunyan Zhang , University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Heather Bruce , University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Zhiquan Wang , University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Jennifer Janz , Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Leduc, Canada
Ellen Goddard , University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Stephen Moore , University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
Graham Plastow , University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, AB, Canada
This study evaluated the effects of 35 SNPs in 33 candidate genes selected from a custom 96 SNP panel (Illumina VeraCode GoldenGate Assay) on 15 carcass and meat quality traits collected from 398 commercial pigs. Meat quality measurements included muscle pH, color (a*, b* and L*), drip loss, cooking loss, peak shear force and consumer panel sensory assessments of appearance (outside and inside), tenderness, juiciness, flavour and overall liking. Carcass weight and probe yield were recorded in the slaughter plant. The 96 SNPs were distributed among 18 autosomes and the X chromosome. After removing the markers with minor allele frequency (MAF) < 0.10, 35 SNPs remained for the association study. Multi-marker associations were conducted using the GLM Procedure of SAS 9.2. Results showed that 27 SNPs were significantly (P < 0.10) associated with at least one of the traits. Among these significant SNPs, five of them in ADIPOQ, FTO, CAST, LEPR and AMPD1 genes have effects on more than 5 traits simultaneously; those in MC4R, TNF and CTSZ genes have effects on at least 3 traits; nine of them associated with 2 traits, whilst the others showed effect only on one trait. Thirty-three SNPs contributed significant (P<0.10) additive or dominance or both effects on at least one trait. The results indicate that these markers could be incorporated into pig breeding programs, especially to improving pig meat quality and carcass traits in commercial populations.