Effect of PPARGC-1 gene on backfat thickness in pigs

Abstract

PPARGC-1 gene is assumed to be a candidate gene with a major effect on fatness and meat
quality. In this study, frequency of T/A substitution at position 1378 in PPARGC-1 gene in pigs
was examined in boars of 4 different breeds. Frequency of genotypes and alleles were compared
between animals with the thinnest and with the thickest backfat. Differences in genotype
frequency between groups were significant in dam line of Slovenian Landrace (SL11) and sire
line of Large White breed (LW66). Allele A was predominantly present in animals with thick
backfat in SL11 (71.05%), LW66 (58%) and in sire line of Slovenian Landrace (67.65%).
Differences in allele frequency were significant in SL11. We found a significant effect on
phenotypic and breeding values for backfat in population of Large White breeds, where
homozygotes TT had the thickest backfat, and heterozygotes the thinnest. In population of
Slovenian Landrace breed the thickest backfat had homozygotes AA and the thinnest
homozygotes TT. Similar results were obtained by analysis of gene effect on breeding values.
Inconsistency could be explained by different background of allele, epistasis and intensity of
selection.