SNaPshot based genotyping of the RYR1 mutation in Portuguese breeds of pigs

The porcine stress syndrome or malignant hyperthermia is an inherited autosomic recessive disease, which results in neuromuscular disorders leading to death in homozygous individuals and is associated with deterioration of meat quality. The defect in susceptible animals results from modifications in the calcium release channel or Ryanodine Receptor (RYR1), with a mutation leading to a C to T transition in nucleotide 1843 of the gene. The objective of this work was to develop a method based on analysis of SNPs to detect the mutation described in the RYR1 locus in pigs, and study polymorphisms of the gene in four exotic (Large White, Landrace, Duroc and Pietrain) and three native (Bísaro, Alentejano and Malhado de Alcobaça) breeds of pigs in Portugal. The method was successful in identifying the mutation by analysis of SNPs, and results indicate a high incidence of the mutant allele in Pietrain (0.75) and, to a lesser degree, in Malhado de Alcobaça (0.34) and Landrace (0.28); frequencies in Alentejano, Bísaro and Large White ranged between 0.04 and 0.09. These results suggest the need to establish breeding programs aimed at eliminating the susceptibility allele from those populations.     

猪SLA-DRA基因外显子2多态性及其与仔猪腹泻的关联分析

为探索SLA-DRA基因作为猪抗病育种分子标记的可能性,本研究采用PCR-SSCP和克隆测序方法对大白、长白和杜洛克共216头猪的SLA-DRA基因外显子2进行了多态性研究,分析了该基因与仔猪腹泻的关联性。结果,在SLA-DRA外显子2上检出了3个等位基因和6种基因型;6种基因型(AA、AB、BB、AC、BC和CC)在大白猪和长白猪中都存在,而在杜洛克猪中只检出4种基因型(AA、BB、AB和BC)。杜洛克猪与大白猪和长白猪间基因型分布均差异极显著(P<0.01);3个品种的基因型分布均处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态(P>0.05)。最小二乘法分析表明,品种和性别对仔猪腹泻影响不显著(P>0.05),基因型与仔猪腹泻显著相关(P<0.05);AA和BB基因型个体腹泻评分的最小二乘均值均显著高于AC和CC基因型个体(P<0.05)。本研究表明,SLA-DRA基因不同基因型对仔猪腹泻有着重要的影响,可作为猪抗病育种应用中的一个潜在遗传标记。     

Genetic diversity in native and commercial breeds of pigs in Portugal assessed by microsatellites

Population structure and genetic diversity in the Portuguese native breeds of pigs Alentejano (AL), Bísaro (BI), and Malhado de Alcoba?a (MA) and the exotic breeds Duroc (DU), Landrace (LR), Large White (LW), and Pietrain were analyzed by typing 22 microsatellite markers in 249 individuals. In general, the markers used were greatly polymorphic, with mean total and effective number of alleles per locus of 10.68 and 4.33, respectively, and an expected heterozygosity of 0.667 across loci. The effective number of alleles per locus and expected heterozygosity were greatest in BI, LR, and AL, and least in DU. Private alleles were found in 9 of the 22 markers analyzed, mostly in AL, but also in the other breeds, with the exception of LW. The proportion of loci not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in each breed analyzed ranged between 0.23 (AL) and 0.41 (BI, LW, and Pietrain), mostly because of a less than expected number of heterozygotes in those loci. With the exception of MA, all breeds showed a significant deficit in heterozygosity (F(IS); P < 0.05), which was more pronounced in BI (F(IS) = 0.175) and AL (F(IS) = 0.139), suggesting that inbreeding is a major concern, especially in these breeds that have gone through a genetic bottleneck in the recent past. The analysis of relationships among breeds, assessed by different methods, indicates that DU and AL are the more distanced breeds relative to the others, with the closest relationship being observed between LR and MA. The degree of differentiation between subpopulations (F(ST)) indicates that 0.184 of the total genetic variability can be attributed to differences among breeds. The analysis of individual distances based on allele sharing indicates that animals of the same breed generally cluster together, but subdivision is observed in the BI and LR breeds. Furthermore, the analysis of population structure indicates there is very little admixture among breeds, with each one being identified with a single ancestral population. The results of this study confirm that native breeds of pigs represent a very interesting reservoir of allelic diversity, even though the current levels of inbreeding raise concerns. Therefore, appropriate conservation efforts should be undertaken, such as adopting strategies aimed at minimizing inbreeding, to avoid further losses of genetic diversity.     

DNA testing for type III von Willebrand disease in Dutch Kooiker dogs

Von Willebrand disease type III is widespread in Dutch Kooiker dogs. To eradicate von Willebrand disease from the breed, affected dogs and nonsymptomatic carriers must be excluded from breeding. Previous efforts to detect carriers in Kooiker dogs by a von Willebrand factor antigen assay were not satisfactory because of considerable overlap of plasma concentrations in normal dogs and carriers. The aim of this study was to develop and apply a DNA test for the detection of von Willebrand disease carriers in the Kooiker breed. Two mutations in the von Willebrand factor gene in affected Kooiker dogs have been described previously, a splice site mutation at the border of intron 16 and exon 16 and a missense mutation in exon 3. We have developed polymerase chain reaction tests for both mutations in genomic DNA. The missense mutation most likely is a neutral variant and appears to be a polymorphism present in many breeds. The allele-specific oligonucleotide test for the splice site mutation was applied in the selection of animals cleared to breed by the Dutch breeding club. In a few years, the mutation has been eliminated from the breeding stock without apparent increase of inbreeding or preferential sire usage.     

Frequency of bovine congenital pseudomyotonia carriers in selected Italian Chianina sires

Bovine congenital pseudomyotonia (PMT) is a genetic disease in Chianina and other breeds of cattle that induces muscular stiffness. PMT in the Chianina breed is caused by a missense mutation in exon 6 of the ATP2A1 gene, which encodes the SERCA1 pump. In this study, the prevalence of PMT carriers and the frequency of the deleterious PMT allele in selected subpopulations of the Chianina breed were estimated. The prevalence of PMT carriers among ranked Chianina sires used for artificial insemination in the years 2007–2011 was 13.6%. The frequency of PMT carriers in young bull calves born in the period January 2007 to June 2011 selected for a performance testing programme was 13.4%. Selective breeding against this genetic defect is restricted to males only and therefore is predicted to require at least seven generations to eradicate PMT.     

深县猪mtDNA CytB基因的遗传多样性与母系起源研究

 研究过氧化物酶体增殖激活受体α (PPARα) 基因第7外显子SNP位点与牛的部分胴体、肉质性状的相关性。以6个牛品种(秦川牛、南阳牛、郏县红牛、鲁西牛、安格斯、夏南牛) 共计717个个体为研究对象,采用PCR SSCP结合DNA测序方法对PPARα基因第7外显子进行SNP检测,并该SNP位点与108头秦川牛的部分胴体、肉质性状的相关性进行分析。结果发现在PPARα基因第7外显子的184位检测到C→T突变,在南阳牛、秦川牛、郏县红牛、安格斯、鲁西牛、夏南牛这6个群体中等位基因E/F的频率分别是0.225/0.775,0.151/0.849,0.125/0.875,0.123/0.877,0.070/0.930, 0.157/0.783;遗传学指标结果显示：秦川牛、郏县红牛、安格斯、鲁西牛和夏南牛这5个群体属于低度多态(PIC<0.25),南阳牛为中度多态（PIC=0.288）;相关分析结果显示：该位点与秦川牛的背膘厚和胴体长两个性状显著相关,表现为FF基因型个体在背膘厚性状方面显著高于EE和EF基因型个体(P<0.05),FF基因型个体的胴体长显著高于EE基因型个体(P<0.05)。这一位点可能是影响牛背膘厚和胴体长的主效QTN或与之紧密连锁,可做为肉牛选育的候选分子标记。     

贵州地方猪种UCP3基因多态性与肉质性状的相关性分析

解耦联蛋白3(uncoupling protein 3,UCP3)是调节能量和脂肪代谢的重要因子。以商品猪(杂交猪)为对照,采用SSCP方法对贵州地方猪品种糯谷猪和萝卜猪的UCP3基因进行了多态性分析。结果表明:3个猪群体中,都检测到了3种基因型(AA、BB、AB),χ2独立性检验结果显示,3种基因型在3个群体间的分布不一致,糯谷猪和萝卜猪以AB基因型为主,杂交猪以BB基因型占优势,杂交猪与地方猪种之间的差异显著(P<0.01);对纯合基因型的UCP3基因片段进行克隆测序,证实AA基因型中UCP3基因外显子6编码区第842位碱基发生了单碱基突变(T→C),导致编码的氨基酸从苏氨酸突变为甲硫氨酸。进一步分析3种基因型与胴体和肉质性状之间的相关性,证明AB基因型个体的肉质最优,贵州地方猪种的大理石纹、肌内脂肪含量和嫩度3项指标显著优于商品猪(P<0.01),因此推测UCP3基因与贵州地方猪种的肉质性状具有相关性,可能是贵州地方猪种肉质性状的候选基因。     

Restraint effects on stress-related hormones and blood natural killer cell cytotoxicity in pigs with a mutated ryanodine receptor

A mutation in the ryanodine receptor gene (RYR1) of the calcium release channel is responsible for increased stress susceptibility in pigs. In the present study, the relation of a mutation in RYR1 with the neuroendocrine (stress-related hormone) response and the immune defense represented by natural killer cell cytotoxicity (NKCC) during a 4-h restraint and recovery phase in 60 male pigs was investigated. Blood samples were collected from pigs previously divided into RYR1 genotypes (nn, Nn, NN), based on PCR amplification and restriction analyses. The blood samples collected during the restraint and recovery phases of the experiment were used to determine NKCC (⁵¹Cr-release assay), large granular lymphocyte number (hematologic method), and plasma concentrations of prolactin (PRL), GH, ACTH, and cortisol (COR) (by specific RIA). The greatest degree of NKCC response (P < 0.05) to restraint stress relative to controls was observed for the stress-susceptible homozygote group (nn). Measures of stress-related hormones were positively correlated with NKCC during the entire experimental period (P < 0.001 for all investigated hormones) in the nn group. Immunostimulatory effects in the early (0–60 min) phase of restraint were associated with increased hormone responses, especially PRL and GH. In the late (180–240 min) phase of stress and the recovery phase (480 min), a decrease in immune response was accompanied by an elevated COR response in all RYR1 genotypes. Moreover, divergent responses of both PRL (greatest in nn, P < 0.001) and GH (greatest in NN, P < 0.001) to the 4-h restraint were observed. Our results suggest that stress-susceptible RYR1-mutated homozygotes develop a greater level of immune defense, including cytotoxic activity of NK cells, and accompanied by more pronounced stress-induced changes in neuroendocrine response than stress-resistant heterozygous (Nn) and homozygous (NN) pigs.     

绵羊HAS2基因遗传变异及其与产羔性状关联性分析

利用PCR-SSCP和DNA测序法,首次检测了湖羊、小尾寒羊、洼地绵羊、阿勒泰羊中的HAS2基因,并对该基因第2和第3外显子部分单核苷酸多态性进行分析。结果表明:湖羊、小尾寒羊、洼地绵羊、阿勒泰羊在第2外显子中存在3种基因型,各是pp、pq、qq基因型;在第3外显子中存在2种基因型,为rr、rs基因型;HAS2基因第2外显子中发生1处C→A突变,第3外显子中发生1处A→G突变。经χ2适合性检验,4种绵羊在HAS2基因第2外显子上的基因型分布均不符合Hardy-Wenberg平衡,在第3外显子上的基因型分布全符合Hardy-Wenberg平衡。各基因型频率在4种绵羊间的分布均没有显著差异(P0.05);湖羊2个位点上的所有基因型在产羔数上差异均不显著(P0.05)。初步认为HAS2基因不能作为湖羊高繁殖力的候选基因。     

Comparison of production systems for efficient use of indigenous pig breeds in developing countries

Conserving pig genetic resources and improving their productivity is important to increase returns over investment in developing countries. The purebred, first‐cross, rotational cross and backcross matings representing production systems based on pig breeds indigenous to the country and exotic pig breeds were investigated. The number of pigs in the nucleus and commercial herds necessary to produce a defined quantity of pork was considered. The amount of heterosis between the indigenous and exotic breeds, superiority in meat production, and degree of inferiority in reproductive performance of the exotic breed compared with that of the indigenous breed were investigated. The number of breeding pigs in the whole system was in the following order: pure breeding (PB) > first‐cross (F1) > rotational cross (RC) > backcross (BC) systems. The number of breeding pigs in the nucleus herds of the RC and BC systems was smaller than that in the nucleus herds of the PB and F1 systems. The degree of inferiority in reproductive performance of the exotic breed compared with that of the indigenous breed affected the efficiency of the production system.     

Evaluation of gonadal macroscopic and microscopic morphometry reveals precocious puberty in Bísaro pig

Bísaro pig (BP), like many other local breeds reared in extensive non-industrial systems, faces many constraints to comply with the EU welfare regulation, particularly regarding the restrictions to surgical castration. In order to adapt an immunocastration protocol to overtake this issue, a puberty timeline is needed. Using gonadal morphometry data from 91 young male BP, this study intended to characterize testicular development, describing the prominent cell types and structures, to ultimately assess the age at puberty in male BP through a mixed prediction model. As expected, the relations between several macro and microscopic parameters and their relation with age were as described within the literature. Post-pubertal animals have larger and heavier gonads, lower Sertoli cell density/tubule, higher Leydig cell density and larger seminiferous tubules. Meiosis was firstly seen in 44-day-old animals, elongated spermatids in 70-day-old animals. Complete spermatogenesis was firstly identified in a 90-day-old animal. Spermatozoa were present in the epididymis of 23 animals, aged from 70 to 240 days old, and in the vas deferens of 14 animals (105 to 240 days old). The prediction model inferred that male Bísaro pigs reach puberty between 14 and 17 weeks (3 and 4 months old) and become sexually capable from 15 to 19 weeks (3.5 and 4.4 months old). These parameters confirm the sexual precocity of this breed.     

11个猪种SLC6A14基因3个SNPs的群体遗传变异研究

本研究旨在了解猪种的遗传变异、种群间的亲缘关系和遗传分化。以白色杜洛克×二花脸资源家系F0代的17头二花脸母猪和2头白色杜洛克公猪的DNA池为模板,通过直接测序在猪SLC6A14基因内识别4个SNPs,以3个突变位点(g.7944AT、c.1438GA、g.21063GT)为基础,通过PCR-RFLP技术,对11个中外猪种进行多态性检测。结果表明:在SLC6A14g.7944AT和g.21063GT2个突变位点上,所有检测猪种都出现变异,其中槐猪、二花脸猪在g.7944AT位点上变异显著(0.01P0.05);而里岔黑猪、槐猪、玉山黑猪、合作藏猪、八眉猪在g.21063GT内变异极显著(P0.01),以GT基因型为主,且二花脸猪中出现TT基因型;在SLC6A14c.1438GA突变位点上,3个欧洲猪种(长白、大白、杜洛克)没有出现变异,均为GG纯合型,而其他猪种在此位点上均存在变异;再根据11个猪种3个位点的多态性信息计算Nei氏遗传距离,由UPGMA法构建聚类图,说明中国地方猪种与外引猪种存在明显的遗传分化;由此得出中国地方猪种比外引猪种有高的遗传多样性和变异,且存在明显的遗传分化,品种间多数猪种符合品种地域分布和品种特性。     

Effects of breed, sex, and halothane genotype on fatty acid composition of pork longissimus muscle

The objective of this study was to estimate the effects of breed, sex, and halothane genotype on fatty acid composition and several fatty acid indices of lipid extracted from porcine LM. Purebred Yorkshire (n = 436), Duroc (n = 353), Hampshire (n = 218), Spotted (n = 187), Chester White (n = 173), Poland China (n = 124), Berkshire (n = 256), and Landrace (n = 187) pigs (n = 1,934; 1,128 barrows and 806 gilts) from 1991, 1992, 1994, and 2001 National Barrow Show Sire Progeny Tests were used. Pigs were classified as the HAL-1843 normal (NN) genotype (n = 1,718) or the HAL-1843 carrier (Nn) genotype (n = 216). For statistical analysis, a mixed model was used that included fixed effects of breed, sex, halothane genotype, test, slaughter date, interaction of breed x sex, and random effects of sire and dam within breed. Breed significantly affected the concentration of individual fatty acids, total lipid content, and the values of several fatty acid indices of LM. Duroc pigs had the greatest (P < 0.01) content of total SFA. Total MUFA concentration in Poland China pigs was greater (P < 0.05) than in all other breeds except the Spotted (P > 0.05). The concentrations of total PUFA were greater (P < 0.01) in Hampshire, Landrace, and Yorkshire pigs compared with those of other breeds. Significant sex differences for individual fatty acids were detected. Compared with gilts, barrows had greater (P < 0.01) concentrations of SFA and MUFA but lower (P < 0.01) total PUFA. Halothane genotype was a significant source of variation for the percentages of some fatty acids. Pigs with the carrier (Nn) genotype had lower concentrations of SFA (P < 0.05) and MUFA (P < 0.01) but a greater concentration of PUFA (P < 0.01) compared with NN pigs. There were significant negative correlations between total lipid content and individual PUFA and significant positive correlations between lipid concentration and most individual SFA and MUFA. In conclusion, the results suggest that breed and sex are important sources of variation for fatty acid composition of LM.     

6个绵羊群体BMP15、GDF9基因多态性分析

本研究旨在检测新吉细毛羊、中国美利奴羊（无角型）、东北细毛羊、杜×寒杂交羊（F1）、杜×寒杂交羊（F3）、白头杜泊羊6个绵羊群体骨形态发生蛋白15（bone morphogenetic protein 15,BMP15）、生长分化因子9（growth differentiation factor 9,GDF9）基因的多态性,为绵羊繁殖力的标记辅助选择和育种提供理论依据。以6个绵羊群体共378只个体为研究对象,利用PCR-SSCP技术检测BMP15、GDF9基因多态性;用DNAStar软件与I-TASSER软件预测蛋白质二级结构和三级结构;计算基因频率、基因型频率、Hardy-Weinberg平衡、杂合度（He）、纯合度（Ho）、有效等位基因数（Ne）和多态信息含量（PIC）。运用GraphPad Prism 6软件对新吉细毛羊群体BMP15基因多态性与产羔数进行相关性分析。结果显示,BMP15基因P1引物扩增片段存在多态性,6个群体共呈现3种基因型：AA、AC、CC,该突变为BMP15基因外显子1上58-60 bp 3个碱基（CTT）缺失,新吉细毛羊、杜×寒杂交羊（F3）、白头杜泊羊的χ²值均达到显著水平,处于Hardy-Weinberg不平衡状态,不同基因型间新吉细毛羊平均产羔数差异均不显著（P>0.05）;GDF9基因P2引物扩增片段存在多态性,6个群体共呈现3种基因型：DD、DE、EE,其中新吉细毛羊仅有1种基因型：DD,该突变为GDF9基因外显子2上477 bp处T→C的转换,该突变未导致氨基酸的改变,除新吉细毛羊外其余5个群体χ²值均未达到显著水平,处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态,说明GDF9基因T477C突变不能作为新吉细毛羊多胎性状遗传标记位点。     

中国6个地方猪种与3个外种猪氟烷基因PCR产物序列比较研究

本文应用PCR方法 ,体外扩增了中国地方猪和外种猪共 16个个体的氟烷基因 1814 9～ 1876 0位之间 6 12bp的片段 (包含完整的外显子 17和cDNAC1843 →T1843 突变位点 ) ,并进行了序列测定。结合网上下载的 5个中外猪种相同区段的序列进行了比较研究。结果表明 ,本文所测序列比网上公布的序列少 2bp ,在 1815 3,1815 4处有两胞嘧啶(C)缺失 ;皮特兰猪在cDNA的C1843 位点存在C1843 →T1843 突变 ;6 12bp的片段中共有 14个变异位点 ,皆为转换型突变 ,内含子 16中有 3个位点存在转换型杂合子 ;所有突变中 ,有 4处发生在外显子 17内 ,除香猪和皮特兰猪外均为同义突变 ;这些变异位点共形成 12种单倍型 ,其中扩增片段 5 14位 (全序列中为 186 6 2位 )的C→T突变为内江猪独有 ,构成了内江猪独特的单倍型 ,C18662 →T18662 突变具有品种特异性     

RYRl基因对母猪繁殖性能的影响

用 PCR- RFL P法检测 2 2 5头大约克母猪的 RYR1(ryanodine receptor,RYR1)基因 ,它具有 NN、Nn和 nn3种基因型 ,其频率分别为 0 .76、0 .14和 0 .10 ;等位基因 N和 n的基因频率分别为 0 .83和 0 .17。该基因处于遗传不平衡状态 (P<0 .0 1)。具有 NN、Nn和 nn基因型母猪第 1胎产仔数分别为 10 .2 1、9.6 2和 8.2 2头 ;断奶仔猪数分别为9.2 1、8.13和 7.11头。等位基因 n使仔猪断奶应激效应具上升趋势 ,对增重有不利影响 ;降低母猪的产仔数和仔猪成活率 ,对繁殖性能有不良的遗传效应 ,有必要从母猪群中清除该等位基因。     

Genetic variation and phylogenetics of Lanyu and exotic pig breeds in Taiwan analyzed by nineteen microsatellite markers

The Lanyu pig is an indigenous miniature pig breed on Lanyu Islet near Taiwan, with a mitochondrial DNA genetic lineage remote from Asian and European pig breeds. The unknown population genetic structure and increased inbreeding among the small population of conserved Lanyu pigs is now of great conservation concern. Additionally, the presence for more than a century of exotic pig breeds in Taiwan has made gene introgression from exotic pig breeds into Lanyu pigs very possible. The present study thus aimed to investigate nuclear genetic variation within the conserved Lanyu pigs and the phylogenetic relationship and possible genetic introgression between Lanyu and exotic pig breeds by determining the polymorphism of 19 microsatellite loci. In the neighbor-joining tree constructed from 7 pig breeds based on Cavalli-Sforza and Edward chord genetic distances, 3 major clades were recognized, in which the Asian and European breeds were separately clustered into 2 clades with a 93.0 and 99.9% bootstrap confidence value, respectively. All individuals of the Lanyu breed formed a unique subclade within the Asian clade based on the distance of the proportion of shared alleles, -ln(ps), suggesting that the Lanyu breed possesses a unique nuclear genetic structure and that no nuclear gene introgression from exotic breeds into the conserved Lanyu pigs has occurred in recent history. Fifteen of 19 microsatellite loci deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (by Wright's statistic), suggesting a significant loss of heterozygosity in the conserved population. The valuable nuclear genetic structure and phylogenetic information should assist future conservation and population management of Lanyu pigs.     

Halothane gene and swine performance.

One hundred thirty-one pigs representing seven different breed groups (Minnesota No. 1 [M], Pietrain [P], Yorkshire [Y], and crosses PY, P[PY], P[NP], and P[YP]P) and three halothane gene genotypes (NN, Nn, and nn) were tested for breed, sex, and halothane gene (HAL) effects on growth and carcass performance. Breed effects were significant for all traits measured. Sex effect was significant for most traits except for meat scores. The HAL-locus linkage group explained 20 to 30% of the total variation for meat quality scores and 1 to 10% for meat quantity and growth traits. Pietrain x Yorkshire was the fastest growing breed group and had relatively good carcass quality. Pietrain and its related crosses had the most lean muscle but the lowest meat quality. The HN (HAL negative, genotype Nn) individuals within the PPY and PNP groups grew more quickly and had higher meat quality scores and less muscling than HP (HAL positive, genotype nn) individuals. A second experiment with 40 pigs showed significant differences in fat concentration in the loin muscle between breeds (M, Y, and P) and between genotypes within the NP population (NP[HP] and NP[HN]). The phenotypic correlation between fat percentage and marbling was .59 (P less than .01). The NP(HP) had higher water percentage in lean than the NP(HN). The water percentage was negatively correlated with meat quality scores of color, firmness, and marbling with phenotypic correlations of -.10, -.23, and -.57 (P less than .01), respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A within-breed comparison of RYR1 pig genotypes for performance, feeding behaviour, and carcass, meat and fat quality traits

Data on 187 DNA‐tested purebred Landrace pigs were used to compare heterozygous RYR1 genotypes (Nn) and normal homozygotes (NN) in performance (growth, fat deposition rate and feeding behaviour patterns), and carcass, meat and fat quality traits. From 75 to 165 days of age, live body weight (BW), ultrasonic midback (UMB) and loin (ULB) backfat measurements were recorded periodically on the same animal. Individual voluntary feed intake (DFI), number of visits (NVD) and feeding time (FTD) were measured on a daily basis using an automatic feeding system. Polynomial models with random regression coefficients were used to describe BW, UMB, ULB, DFI, NVD and FTD as a function of age. Carcass, meat and fat quality traits were analysed using a mixed model with the RYR1 genotype as a fixed effect. No significant (p < 0.05) differences were observed between NN and Nn genotypes for growth, feed intake and feed efficiency at any age, but the NN pigs showed higher values for UMB and ULB (0.68 ± 0.30 mm and 0.88 ± 0.40 mm, respectively, at 165 days). The Nn pigs had higher predicted carcass lean content (+11.1 ± 3.7 g/kg) and higher proportion of ham in the carcass (+2.9 ± 1.4 g/kg). However, they showed lower values of pH measurements at 45 min post‐mortem (–0.26 ± 0.05 in M. longissimus dorsi, LD), and higher electrical conductivity at 45 min (+1.03 ± 0.17 μs in LD) and 24 h post‐mortem (+1.63 ± 0.29 μs in LD). No significant differences were found between genotypes for intramuscular fat in the M. semimembranosus (SM) and for fatty acid profiles in the subcutaneous backfat and in the intramuscular fat of the SM. The results of this study suggest that Nn pigs would attain their maximum growth rate at later stages than the NN without any relevant change in the feeding behaviour pattern. Also they confirm that Nn pigs are leaner, have greater proportion of high‐priced cuts in the carcass and are more prone to develop pale, soft and exudative meats. However, no effect on fat quality traits was found.     

ADAMTS17 mutation associated with primary lens luxation is widespread among breeds

Primary lens luxation (PLL) is a well-recognized, painful and potentially blinding inherited ocular condition in dogs. We screened PLL-affected dogs of 30 different breeds, to identify those which carried a previously described c.1473+1 G>A mutation in ADAMTS17 that is associated with PLL in Miniature Bull terriers, Lancashire Heelers, and Jack Russell terriers. This ADAMTS17 mutation was identified in PLL-affected dogs from 14 additional breeds. PLL-affected dogs from some breeds (most notably the Shar pei and the Brittany spaniel) did not carry the G1473+1A ADAMTS17 mutation, indicating they must suffer from a genetically distinct form of the condition. We also estimated the frequency of this ADAMTS17 mutation in some of the breeds. Our findings indicate the mutation segregates in a large number of different breeds of dog, many of which are terriers or breeds with terrier co-ancestry, but some of which have more diverse origins. Our results also indicate that the mutation is present at high frequency within most of the breeds in which it segregates. In the miniature bull terrier breed estimates of mutation frequency ranged from 0.27 to 0.39, corresponding to 7.3-15.2% PLL-affected dogs in this breed. We also identified an increased risk of PLL associated with heterozygosity at ADAMTS17, suggesting that carriers carry a low risk of developing PLL.