Detection of Mendelian and Parent-of-origin Quantitative Trait Loci for Meat Quality in a Cross between Korean Native Pig and Landrace

This study was conducted to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting meat quality in an $F_2$ reference population of Korean native pig and Landrace crossbreds. The three-generation mapping population was generated with 411 progeny from 38 $F_2$ full-sib families, and 133 genetic markers were used to produce a sex-average map of the 17 autosomes. The data set was analyzed using least squares Mendelian and parent-of-origin interval-mapping models. Lack-of-fit tests between models were used to characterize the QTL for mode of gene expressions. A total of 10 (32) QTL were detected at the 5% genome (chromosome)-wise level for the analyzed traits. Of the 42 QTL detected, 13 QTL were classified as Mendelian, 10 as paternal, 14 as maternal, and 5 as partial expressed QTL, respectively. Among the QTL detected at 5% genome-wise level, four QTL had Mendelian mode of inheritance on SSCs 5, 10, 12, and 13 for cooking loss, drip loss, crude lipid and crude protein, respectively; two QTL maternal inheritance for pH at 24-h and shear force on SSC11; three QTL paternal inheritance for CIE b and Hunter b on SSC9 and for cooking loss on SSC15; and one QTL partial expression for crude ash on SSC13, respectively. Most of the Mendelian QTL (9 of 13) had a dominant mode of gene action, suggesting potential utilization of heterosis for genetic improvement of meat quality within the cross population via marker-assisted selection.