SNP discovery, expression and association analysis for the SDHD gene in pigs

The SDHD gene was examined for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) as well as for expression changes in the Longissimus dorsi muscle of commercial pigs with different potential for growth. Three SNPs, including one previously described in the coding region and two new ones in the 3′‐UTR, were found. The normalized expression of SDHD was correlated with growth, meat quality and sensory traits (p < 0.05). For the commercial pigs used in this study, as well as a Berkshire × Yorkshire resource population, the SNPs have been associated (p < 0.05) with: growth, carcass composition, meat quality and sensory traits. Despite the fact that the described SNPs were not significantly associated with the normalized expression values, the SDHD SNPs and expression were associated with growth and meat quality traits in pigs.     

北京黑猪MYH3和MYH13基因多态性与肉质性状的关联分析

【目的】 试验旨在研究肌球蛋白重链3（myosin heavy chain 3，MYH3）和肌球蛋白重链13（myosin heavy chain 13，MYH13）基因遗传变异对猪肉质性状的影响。【方法】 利用北京黑猪背最长肌样本进行肉质性状（肌内脂肪（intramuscular fat，IMF）、水分、滴水损失、酸碱度（pH）、肉色L^*值、肉色a^*值和肉色b^*值）表型数据的测定。利用PCR和Sanger测序技术对MYH3和MYH13基因启动子区和CDS区进行基因分型。将性别、场、日龄作为协变量，采用协方差分析，确定与猪肉质性状相关的SNPs，利用实时荧光定量PCR检测基因表达水平。【结果】 试验共筛选到9个SNPs，其中MYH3基因CDS区有1个错义突变（c.5782 G>C）与IMF显著相关（P<0.05），且MYH3基因表达水平与IMF呈正相关；MYH13基因CDS区有4个SNPs，其中2个（c.1923 G>A、c.1308 G>A）与肉色a^*值显著相关，1个（c.963 G>A）与滴水损失显著相关，1个（c.237 G>T）与肉色L^*值显著相关（P<0.05）；MYH13基因启动子区有4个SNPs，其中2个（rs699287502、rs318639161）与肉色L^*值显著相关，2个（rs321315318、rs330770991）与滴水损失显著相关（P<0.05），且MYH13基因表达水平与滴水损失呈负相关。【结论】 MYH3基因有1个SNP与IMF显著相关，且其基因表达水平与IMF呈正相关。MYH13基因中存在3个SNPs与滴水损失显著相关，且该基因启动子区2个SNPs基因表达水平与滴水损失呈负相关；3个SNPs与肉色L^*值显著相关；2个SNPs与肉色a^*值显著相关。以上SNPs均可作为影响北京黑猪肉质性状的候选基因功能位点。     

Two single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter of the ovine myostatin gene (MSTN) and their effect on growth and carcass muscle traits in New Zealand Romney sheep

Myostatin is a negative regulator of muscle growth and development in mammals, and variation in ovine myostatin gene (MSTN) has been demonstrated to be associated with variation in the muscularity of sheep. Polymerase chain reaction–single‐stranded conformational polymorphism (PCR–SSCP) was used to look for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a 304‐bp amplicon from the promoter region of ovine MSTN. Sequence analyses revealed two previously identified SNPs (c.?2449G/C and c. ?2379T/C) that resulted in three haplotypes (H₁ (c.[?2449G; ?2379C]), H₂ (c.[?2449C; ?2379C]) and H₃ (c.[?2449G; ?2379T]). The effect of these SNPs on growth and carcass traits was investigated in 357 NZ Romney lambs. General linear mixed‐effect models revealed that sheep with the genotype c.?2449GC had a higher loin meat yield (p = 0.032) and proportion loin yield (p = 0.028), than those with the genotype c.?2449GG. The genotype c.?2379CC was associated with an increase in three weight traits: birthweight (p = 0.003), tailing weight (p = 0.009) and weaning weight (p = 0.028), when compared with the genotype c.?2379TC, but it was not found to have an association with growth rate. This suggests that c.?2379T/C has an effect that originates at, or before birth. Haplotype H₃ was associated with a decrease in birthweight (p = 0.002), tailing weight (p = 0.003) and weaning weight (p = 0.011). Haplotype H₂ was associated with increased loin yield (p = 0.012) and proportion loin yield (p = 0.002). The SNPs may have value as genetic markers for improved Romney breeding.     

品种和营养水平对猪生长性能、胴体性状和肉质的影响

本试验旨在研究品种和营养水平对猪生长性能、胴体性状和肉质的影响。选择12对初始体重为(61.16±4.13)kg的高坡猪和"杜×长×太"三元杂交猪(DLT),随机分成4个处理,饲喂不同营养水平[NRC(2012)、中国猪饲养标准(2004)]的全价饲粮,试验猪平均体重达90 kg时屠宰。结果表明:DLT的眼肌面积显著高于高坡猪(P0.05),而肌内脂肪含量、平均背膘厚、肉色的亮度(L*)24 h和黄度(b*)24 h显著低于高坡猪(P0.05);饲喂高营养水平的饲粮可以显著降低猪的料重比(P0.05);饲粮营养水平升高显著提高了高坡猪的平均日增重、平均日采食量、胴体长和肉色的红度(a*)24 h(P0.05),显著降低了肉色的L*24 h、滴水损失以及背最长肌固醇调节元件结合蛋白-1c和激素敏感性脂肪酶mRNA的相对表达量(P0.05);饲粮营养水平升高显著降低了DLT肉色的a*45 m in和a*24 h(P0.05)。综上所述,在本试验条件下,品种和营养水平对猪生长性能、胴体性状和肉质有显著影响;DLT胴体性状优于高坡猪,肉质反之。饲粮营养水平升高显著提高了DLT胴体性状和高坡猪的肉质,对生长性能有一定的改善。     

PRKAG3基因在不同品种猪不同生长阶段骨骼肌中的表达差异及其表达量与肉质的关系

本试验中旨在比较PRKAG3基因在不同品种猪不同生长阶段骨骼肌中的表达差异,并探讨PRKAG3基因与肉质的关系。挑选15 kg左右的汉普夏阉公猪17头和长撒阉公猪16头,饲喂相同饲粮,当体重分别达到20和50 kg时,2个品种的猪分别屠宰5头,体重达到100 kg时分别屠宰7和6头。各生长阶段屠宰后均测定骨骼肌pH、肌糖原含量以及PRKAG3基因表达量,且在100 kg阶段屠宰后同时测定肉质性状。结果表明:1)在不同生长阶段长撒猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因的表达量均高于汉普夏猪,特别是在100 kg阶段,长撒猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因的表达量是汉普夏猪的6.81倍(P0.05)。长撒猪与汉普夏猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因的表达量均随体重的增加而增加,但汉普夏猪不同生长阶段PRKAG3基因的表达量差异不显著(P0.05),而长撒猪PRKAG3基因的表达量在100 kg阶段时显著高于20和50 kg阶段时(P0.05)。2)汉普夏猪和长撒猪的肉质存在差异。汉普夏猪的滴水损失和失水率显著高于长撒猪(P0.05),而熟肉率、黄度(b)值极显著低于长撒猪(P0.01),剪切力和pH2(屠宰后24 h的pH)显著低于长撒猪(P0.05)。与长撒猪相比,汉普夏猪具有较高的肌糖原含量(P0.05)。3)猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因的表达量与肉质的相关性存在品种效应。汉普夏猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因表达量与滴水损失呈正相关,与熟肉率呈负相关,与pH2呈显著负相关(P0.05)。长撒猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因表达量与滴水损失和失水率呈正相关,与pH2呈负相关。上述结果表明,猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因具有品种和生长阶段表达差异;猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因的表达量与肉质性状相关,特别是与pH2,二者呈显著负相关。     

Mapping genes for fatness and growth on pig chromosome 13: a search in the region close to the pig PIT1 gene

Previous research has shown that PIT1 polymorphisms in several resource populations and the chromosomal region near PIT1 in some populations have been significantly associated with fatness and growth QTLs on pig chromosome 13. To confirm these previous results and to clarify the role of the PIT1 gene in the putative QTL region, this research project was enlarged to include two microsatellite markers flanking each side of the PIT1 gene ( Swr1008 , S0068 , Sw398 and Sw1056 ). The ISU Chinese × US resource families were used and the traits analysed were birth weight, 21 day weight, 42 day weight, longissimus muscle area, back-fat thickness at several locations, meat colour, marbling and firmness on the carcass, and growth rate for selected time periods. The total number of F₂ pigs used ranged from 241 to 330. The data were analysed using interval mapping for each breed-cross separately as well as with the pooled data, and single marker least squares analyses for the pooled data. Significant evidence of a QTL for first rib back-fat thickness was detected approximately 20 cM from the PIT1 gene by using both single marker (p < 0.01) and interval mapping analyses in the pooled data (p < 0.0001) as well as in one family (p < 0.01). Evidence of a QTL for birth weight was detected at the estimated PIT1 position in the interval mapping analysis by using the pooled data (p < 0.014) and verified by the single marker analyses. These results confirmed the previously published QTL work on pig chromosome 13 for the birth weight QTL but suggest that other genes in the region may be partly responsible for the earlier results on the back-fat thickness QTL in our resource families.     

基于SNP芯片的海南猪全基因组选择信号分析

旨在通过检测海南猪全基因组上的选择信号,以挖掘与海南猪重要经济性状相关的候选基因,并解析讨论海南猪在进化驯化历史中的受选择情况.本研究利用68头海南猪的GeneSeek Genomic Profiler Procine SNP 80K芯片数据,使用整合单倍型分数(integrated haplotype score,i...     

猪EPOR和MYPN基因SNPs检测及其与肉质、胴体性状关联分析

对EPOR、MYPN 2个候选基因进行SNPs检测,并与肉质性状的关联分析,以期为分子育种提供依据。采用PCR-SSCP及PCR-RFLP方法对目的基因片段进行SNPs检测,结果显示,在研究群体内,EPOR基因不存在SNP,而MYPN基因存在2个SNP。用SAS软件对MYPN基因的2个SNP位点与部分肉质、胴体性状进行关联分析,结果表明,在本试验群体中,SNP1对背膘厚、导电性、眼肌面积和肌内脂肪的影响都达到了显著水平(P＜0.05);SNP2对其中的背膘厚和肌内脂肪含量影响达到了显著水平(P＜0.05);另外性别、品种对部分性状也有较大影响（P＜0.05）。结合本研究结果和其它相关研究结果,可以推断MYPN基因可能是影响肉质、胴体性状的主效基因或与控制这些性状的主效基因连锁,可以作为肉质、胴体性状的候选基因。     

Mapping and investigation of the porcine major insulin sensitive glucose transport (SLC2A4/GLUT4) gene as a candidate gene for meat quality and carcass traits

The porcine major insulin sensitive glucose transport gene (known by SLC2A4 and GLUT4 ) was mapped, by physical and linkage methods, to chromosome 12 in the PiGMaP population. Furthermore, the role of the porcine SLC2A4 was investigated in about 1700 animals from different pig breeds and crosses from the USA and Norway. Ten traits for meat quality and carcass composition were recorded for the U.S. population, while 44 traits for meat quality traits were recorded for the Norwegian population. For the analyses of associations between SLC2A4 gene variants and quantitative traits, one restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was examined. Relatively weak and inconsistent associations were found in some of the lines investigated between SLC2A4 genotypes and the meat quality traits drip loss, colour, loin marbling and loin depth (p < 0.05). Due to the inconsistencies in the results we conclude that it is likely that the SLC2A4 polymorphism investigated is not associated with meat quality traits in the lines studied.     

不同猪种5-羟色胺受体基因的表达及其与肉质的相关性分析

为研究5-羟色胺（5-HT）受体基因在不同猪种的表达及其与肉质的关系,试验选取淳安花猪与杜长大三元猪各12头,同时饲喂,达上市体重时分别屠宰,测定胴体、肉质性状及肌肉、脂肪中的5-HT受体基因表达量。结果表明：淳安花猪、杜长大三元猪的平均屠宰体重分别为88.1、102.4kg;淳安花猪的板油率、背膘厚、肌内脂肪等指标均显著高于杜长大三元猪（P〈0.05）;屠宰率、眼肌面积杜长大三元猪显著高于淳安花猪（P〈0.05）。5-HT2A、5-HT7受体基因在2个猪种脂肪组织中的表达量均显著高于肌肉组织（P〈0.05）,杜长大三元猪的肌肉中5-HT2A、5-HT7表达量显著低于淳安花猪（P〈0.05）,而脂肪中表达量两猪种间差异不显著。5-HT2A、5-HT7受体基因表达量与屠宰肉质指标之间基本呈负相关,尤其是肌肉中的5-HT2A表达量,呈较强负相关（杜长大三元猪）或显著负相关（淳安花猪）。研究初步认为,5-HT受体基因在中外猪种之间存在表达差异,并与屠宰肉质性状具有相关性。     

Digestion and deposition of individual fatty acids in growing-finishing pigs fed diets containing either beef tallow or sunflower oil

The apparent digestibility and deposition in carcass of individual dietary fatty acids (FA) were determined in growing-finishing pigs fed diets containing either beef tallow or sunflower oil. The beef tallow was rich in saturated FA (SFA) and the sunflower oil had a high content of polyunsaturated FA (PUFA). A total of 39 barrows was used. The experimental diets contained 5% (w/w) of the variable fat source and were fed ad libitum . The dietary fat type had no effect (p > 0.05) on growth performance, even though the apparent digestibilities of crude fat and crude protein were higher (p < 0.05) in the animals fed sunflower oil. The pigs fed the sunflower oil diet showed higher apparent digestibilities (p < 0.05) of the sum of SFA, monounsaturated FA (MUFA) and PUFA, but had a lower digestibility (p < 0.05) of stearic acid. The intakes of individual digestible FA were derived feed intake data, FA contents of the diets and the digestibility of individual FA. For the entire feeding period of 13 weeks, the ratio of deposition in carcass to intake of digestible FA was increased (p < 0.05) for palmitic and stearic acid in the pigs fed sunflower oil, but the ratios for oleic acid and linoleic acid were decreased (p < 0.001). In the pigs fed sunflower oil instead of beef tallow, the deposition:intake ratio was raised for the SFA (p < 0.001), but diminished for the MUFA (p < 0.05). The calculated minimum de novo synthesis of SFA was increased (p < 0.05) and that of MUFA decreased (p < 0.05) in the pigs fed sunflower oil. It is concluded that the feeding of a diet with sunflower oil instead of beef tallow improved apparent digestibility of SFA, MUFA and PUFA, increased the deposition:digestible intake ratio for SFA, but lowered that for MUFA and PUFA.     

Effect of added dietary threonine on growth performance,health, immunity and gastrointestinal function of weaning pigs with differing genetic susceptibility to Escherichia coli infection and challenged with E. coli K88ac

Threonine (Thr) is important for mucin and immunoglobulin production. We studied the effect of added dietary Thr on growth performance, health, immunity and gastrointestinal function of weaning pigs with differing genetic susceptibility to E. coli K88ac (ETEC) infection and challenged with ETEC. Forty‐eight 24‐day‐old weaned pigs were divided into two groups by their ETEC susceptibility using mucin 4 (MUC4) gene as a marker (2 MUC4^?/?, not‐susceptible, and 2 MUC4^+/+, susceptible, pigs per litter). Within genotype, pigs were fed two different diets: 8.5 (LThr) or 9.0 (HThr) g Thr/kg. Pigs were orally challenged on day 7 after weaning and slaughtered on day 12 or 13 after weaning. Before ETEC challenge, HThr pigs ate more (p < 0.05). The diet did not affect post‐challenge growth, but HThr tended to increase post‐challenge feed efficiency (p = 0.087) and overall growth (p = 0.087) and feed efficiency (p = 0.055). Before challenge, HThr pigs excreted less E. coli (p < 0.05), while after challenge, diet did not affect the number of days with diarrhoea and ETEC excretion. MUC4^+/+ pigs responded to the challenge with more diarrhoea, ETEC excretion and anti‐K88 IgA in blood and jejunal secretion (p < 0.001). HThr pigs had a higher increase of anti‐K88 IgA values in jejunal secretion (p = 0.089) and in blood (p = 0.089, in MUC4^+/+ pigs only). Thr did not affect total IgA and IgM values, morphometry of jejunum, goblet cells count in colon, total mucin from jejunum and colon, but varied jejunal goblet cells counts (p < 0.05). In the first two post‐weaning weeks, 8.5 g Thr/kg diet may be not sufficient to optimize initial feed intake, overall feed efficiency and intestinal IgA secretion and to control the gut microbiota in the first post‐weaning week, irrespective of the pig genetic susceptibility to ETEC infection.     

Effect of dietary copper and vitamin E supplementation, and extensive feeding with acorn and grass on longissimus muscle composition and susceptibility to oxidation in Iberian pigs

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of dietary copper and/or vitamin E supplementation on composition and oxidation of M. longissimus in Iberian pigs and to compare it with meat samples from pigs produced extensively and fed with acorn and grass. Grass had the highest α-tocopherol content (> 150 mg/kg DM), while acorns had the highest copper concentration (78.1 mg/kg DM). Dietary treatment did not affect copper composition in muscle and no interactions were detected between copper and α-tocopherol. The α-tocopherol content in muscle from pigs fed diets supplemented with α-tocopheryl acetate (100 mg/kg feed) was 1.5 times greater (p < 0.0001) than those from pigs receiving a basel diet. M. longisssimus dorsi from pigs fed extensively had a higher concentration of α-tocopherol than those fed in confinement with the basel level of α-tocopheryl acetate, but lower values than pigs fed supplemented levels. Total n -3 fatty acids (p < 0.02) and hematin (p < 0.0001) concentrations were significantly higher in muscle from pigs fed extensively than when fed in confinement. Muscle homogenates from Iberian pigs fed in extensive conditions showed significantly (p < 0.02) higher susceptibility to oxidation than those from pigs fed mixed diets. Dietary α-tocopheryl acetate supplementation (100 mg/kg feed) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced lipid oxidation of muscle, while dietary copper concentration did not modify susceptibility to lipid oxidation.     

猪EPOR和MYPN基因SNPs检测及其与肉质、胴体性状关联分析

对EPOR、MYPN 2个候选基因进行SNPs检测,并与肉质性状的关联分析,以期为分子育种提供依据.采用PCR-SSCP及PCR-RFLP方法对目的基因片段进行SNPs检测,结果显示,在研究群体内,EPOR基因不存在SNP,而MyPN基因存在2个SNP.用SAS软件对MyPN基因的2个SNP位点与部分肉质、胴体性状进行关联分析,结果表明,在本试验群体中,SNP1对背膘厚、导电性、眼肌面积和肌内脂肪的影响都达到了显著水平(P<0.05);SNP2对其中的背膘厚和肌内脂肪含量影响达到了显著水平(P<0.05);另外性别、品种对部分性状也有较大影响(P<0.05).结合本研究结果和其它相关研究结果,可以推断MYPN基因可能是影响肉质、胴体性状的主效基因或与控制这些性状的主效基因连锁,可以作为肉质、胴体性状的候选基因.     

Effect of dietary Rhodobacter capsulatus on cholesterol, triglycerides concentration, and meat quality of finishing pigs

The study was designed to investigate the effect of Rhodobacter capsulatus on serum and meat cholesterol, fatty acid composition in meat, as well as meat quality of finishing pigs. A total of 16 120-day-old Landrace female pigs of about 60 kg initial body weight were randomly assigned into two groups. The pigs were fed a supplemented diet with 0.04% dietary R. capsulatus or a control diet for 60 days. Total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentration in serum was significantly lowered ( P  < 0.05) in the pigs fed the R. capsulatus supplemented diet compared to the control diet. Carcass weight, carcass length, shoulder fat, back fat and loin fat thickness, longissimus muscle (LM) area, and color score did not differ significantly between the pigs fed the R. capsulatus supplemented diet and control diet. Among the nutrient composition of LM meat, neutral fat and triglyceride concentration were significantly ( P  < 0.05) reduced in the finishing pigs by dietary supplementation of R. capsulatus . The proportions of n-6 PUFA were higher ( P  < 0.05) in the pigs fed the R. capsulatus supplemented diet than in the pigs fed the control diet. The supplementation of dietary R. capsulatus to finishing pig diet played important roles in reducing serum cholesterol and meat triglycerides, as well as in increasing polyunsaturated fatty acid content in LM meat.     

Genome-wide mapping and identification of new quantitative trait loci affecting meat production, meat quality, and carcass traits within a Duroc purebred population

Most QTL detection studies in pigs have been carried out in experimental F(2) populations. However, segregation of a QTL must be confirmed within a purebred population for successful implementation of marker-assisted selection. Previously, QTL for meat quality and carcass traits were detected on SSC 7 in a Duroc purebred population. The objectives of the present study were to carry out a whole-genome QTL analysis (except for SSC 7) for meat production, meat quality, and carcass traits and to confirm the presence of segregating QTL in a Duroc purebred population. One thousand and four Duroc pigs were studied from base to seventh generation; the pigs comprised 1 closed population of a complex multigenerational pedigree such that all individuals were related. The pigs were evaluated for 6 growth traits, 7 body size traits, 8 carcass traits, 2 physiological traits, and 11 meat quality traits, and the number of pigs with phenotypes ranged from 421 to 953. A total of 119 markers were genotyped and then used for QTL analysis. We utilized a pedigree-based, multipoint variance components approach to test for linkage between QTL and the phenotypic values using a maximum likelihood method; the logarithm of odds score and QTL genotypic heritability were estimated. A total of 42 QTL with suggestive linkages and 3 QTL with significant linkages for 26 traits were detected. These included selection traits such as daily BW gain, backfat thickness, loin eye muscle area, and intramuscular fat content as well as correlated traits such as body size and meat quality traits. The present study disclosed QTL affecting growth, body size, and carcass, physiological, and meat quality traits in a Duroc purebred population.     

饲粮能氨水平对不同品种猪肉质性状及相关基因表达的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮能氮水平对不同品种猪肉质性状以及肌纤维类型和细胞因子相关基因表达的影响.选取巴马香猪和长白猪共96头(48头/品种),随机分为4组(每组24头猪),分别为长白猪饲喂NRC饲粮组、长白猪饲喂我国地方猪标准(GB)饲粮组、巴马香猪饲喂NRC饲粮组、巴马香猪饲喂GB饲粮组.试验从5周龄开始,至出栏时结束.分别于保育期、生长期和肥育期末,每组选择8头体况相近猪只屠宰,采集肌肉样品分析.结果表明:生长阶段显著影响了试验猪背最长肌熟肉率和肌球蛋白重链(MyHC)Ⅱx、MyHCⅡ易及白细胞介素-15(IL-15)mRNA表达水平(P<0.05),且随生长阶段呈增加趋势;与长白猪相比,巴马香猪的背最长肌熟肉率、MyHC Ⅰ mRNA表达水平显著升高(P<0.05),而滴水损失显著降低(P<0.05);与NRC饲粮相比,GB饲粮显著提高了生长期长白猪和巴马香猪的pH45 min(P<0.05),显著上调了保育期和肥育期猪背最长肌MyHC Ⅰ mRNA表达水平(P<0.05);与GB饲粮相比,NRC饲粮显著上调了生长期猪背最长肌MyHC Ⅰ mRNA表达水平(P<0.05).由此可见,品种和生长阶段均可显著影响肉质性状及相关基因的表达,饲粮能氮水平则主要通过与生长阶段产生互作效应影响肉质性状及肌纤维类型相关基因的表达.     

Associations of the variation in the porcine myogenin gene with muscle fibre characteristics, lean meat production and meat quality traits

Pig breeding is aimed at improving lean meat production ability as well as meat quality, and muscle fibre characteristics may be important for enhancing these traits. Therefore, new molecular markers have been demanded for selecting lean meat production ability and meat quality in live animals. Myogenin belongs to the MyoD gene family, and is a candidate gene responsible for muscle fibre characteristics. We identified a new single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) site in the 5' upstream region of the myogenin gene (nucleotides C and T). A total of 252 pigs of three breeds were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism using BspCNI . Additionally, they were genotyped for the previously detected Msp I site in the 3'-flanking region (alleles A and B). The CCBB diplotype had the highest frequency over breeds, followed by TCBB and CCAB. The other diplotypes were not found in studied pigs. Association analysis performed for the markers found that the TCBB diplotype has desirable effects on the total number of fibres (p   < 0.002), fibre cross-sectional area (p   < 0.06), and loin eye area (p   < 0.001) than the other diplotypes. Moreover, the diplotype had the highest muscle pH value (p   < 0.07) and all meat quality traits were near the upper limit of the normal range as a reddish pink, firm and non-exudative (RFN) pork. Therefore, we suggest that selection for the myogenin diplotypes could improve total muscle fibre number, size and lean meat production ability with good meat quality.