• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.59-64
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• 2018

Although pork quality traits are important commercially, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have not well considered Landrace and Yorkshire pigs worldwide. Landrace and Yorkshire pigs are important pork-providing breeds. Although quantitative trait loci of pigs are well-developed, significant genes in GWASs of pigs in Korea must be studied. Through a GWAS using the PLINK program, study of the significant genes in Korean pigs was performed. We conducted a GWAS and surveyed the gene ontology (GO) terms associated with the backfat thickness (BF) trait of these pigs. We included the breed information (Yorkshire and Landrace pigs) as a covariate. The significant genes after false discovery rate (<0.01) correction were AFG1L, SCAI, RIMS1, and SPDEF. The major GO terms for the top 5% of genes were related to neuronal genes, cell morphogenesis and actin cytoskeleton organization. The neuronal genes were previously reported as being associated with backfat thickness. However, the genes in our results were novel, and they included ZNF280D, BAIAP2, LRTM2, GABRA5, PCDH15, HERC1, DTNBP1, SLIT2, TRAPPC9, NGFR, APBB2, RBPJ, and ABL2. These novel genes might have roles in important cellular and physiological functions related to BF accumulation. The genes related to cell morphogenesis were NOX4, MKLN1, ZNF280D, BAIAP2, DNAAF1, LRTM2, PCDH15, NGFR, RBPJ, MYH9, APBB2, DTNBP1, TRIM62, and SLIT2. The genes that belonged to actin cytoskeleton organization were MKLN1, BAIAP2, PCDH15, BCAS3, MYH9, DTNBP1, ABL2, ADD2, and SLIT2.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.160-164
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• 2006

Currently, boars selected for commercial use as AI sires are evaluated on grow-finish performance and carcass characteristics. If AI sires were also evaluated and selected on semen production, it may be possible to reduce the number of boars required to service sows, thereby improving the productivity and profitability of the boar stud. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic correlations between production and semen traits in the boar: average daily gain (ADG), backfat thickness (BF) and muscle depth (MD) as production traits, and total sperm cells (TSC), total concentration (TC), volume collected (SV), number of extended doses (ND), and acceptance rate of ejaculates (AR) as semen traits. Semen collection records and performance data for 843 boars and two generations of pedigree data were provided by Smithfield Premium Genetics. Backfat thickness and MD were measured by real-time ultrasound. Genetic parameters were estimated from five four-trait and one five-trait animal models using MTDFREML. Average heritability estimates were 0.39 for ADG, 0.32 for BF, 0.15 for MD, and repeatability estimates were 0.38 for SV, 0.37 for TSC, 0.09 for TC, 0.39 for ND, and 0.16 for AR. Semen traits showed a strong negative genetic correlation with MD and positive genetic correlation with BF. Genetic correlations between semen traits and ADG were low. Therefore, current AI boar selection practices may be having a detrimental effect on semen production.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.337-344
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to compare of genetic parameter estimates on carcass traits of Hanwoo(Korean Cattle) according to modeling with Gibbs sampler and MTDFREML. The data set consisted of 1,941 cattle records with 23,058 animals in pedigree files at Hanwoo Improvement Center. The variance and covariance among carcass traits were estimated via Gibbs sampler and MTDFREML algorithms. The carcass traits considered in this study were longissimus dorsi area, backfat thickness, and marbling score. Genetic parameter estimates using Gibbs sampler and MTDFREML from single-trait analysis were similar with those from multiple-trait analysis. The estimated heritabilities using Gibbs sampler were .52～.54, .54 ～.59, and .42～.44 for carcass traits. The estimated heritabilities using MTDFREML were .41, .52～.53, and .31～.32 for carcass traits. The estimated genetic correlation using Gibbs sampler and MTDFREML of LDA between BF and MS were negatively correlated as .34～.36, .23～.37. Otherwise, genetic correlation between BF and MS was positive genetic correlation as .36～.44. The correlations of breeding value for marbling score between via MTDFREML and via Gibbs sampler were 0.989, 0.996 and 0.985 for LDA, BF and MS respectively.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1379-1383
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• 2006

A total of 6,804 records for Duroc breed were collected from three farms registered at the Korean Animal Improvement Association (KAIA) from 1998 to 2004 of which both records from two ultrasound modes (A and B) were analyzed to estimate the variance components of carcass traits. Three carcass traits backfat thickness (bf), loin eye muscle area (lma) and lean meat percentage (lmp) were measured. These traits were analyzed separately as bf1, lma1 and lmp1 for ultrasound mode A and bf2, lma2 and lmp2 for ultrasound mode B with multiple trait animal model by using MTDFREML (Boldman et al., 1993). All the traits revealed medium heritability values. Estimated heritabilities for bf1, bf2, lma1, lma2, lmp1 and lmp2 were 0.45, 0.39, 0.32, 0.25, 0.28 and 0.39, respectively. Estimated genetic correlations for traits bf1 and bf2, lma1 and lma2, lmp1 and lmp2 were positive but low. Specifically, genetic correlations between bf1 and bf2 was 0.30 while the estimates for lean traits between lma1 and lma2 and between lmp1 and lmp2 were 0.15 and 0.18, respectively. Conversely, high negative genetic correlations existed between bf1 and the lean traits lma2, lmp2. Likewise, the estimated genetic correlations between lma1 and lma2 and lmp1 and lmp2 were low.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.451-460
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• 2024

Objective: The objective is to identify genomic regions and candidate genes associated with age to 105 kg (AGE), average daily gain (ADG), backfat thickness (BF), and eye muscle area (EMA) in Yorkshire pig. Methods: This study used a total of 104,380 records and 11,854 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data obtained from Illumina porcine 60K chip. The estimated genomic breeding values (GEBVs) and SNP effects were estimated by single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP). Results: The heritabilities of AGE, ADG, BF, and EMA were 0.50, 0.49, 0.49, and 0.23, respectively. We identified significant SNP markers surpassing the Bonferroni correction threshold (1.68×10^-6), with a total of 9 markers associated with both AGE and ADG, and 4 markers associated with BF and EMA. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) analyses revealed notable chromosomal regions linked to AGE and ADG on Sus scrofa chromosome (SSC) 1, 6, 8, and 16; BF on SSC 2, 5, and 8; and EMA on SSC 1. Additionally, we observed strong linkage disequilibrium on SSC 1. Finally, we performed enrichment analyses using gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG), which revealed significant enrichments in eight biological processes, one cellular component, one molecular function, and one KEGG pathway. Conclusion: The identified SNP markers for productive traits are expected to provide valuable information for genetic improvement as an understanding of their expression.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1634-1640
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to compare pork characteristics and to determine consumer acceptability of pork chops from antibiotic free Yorkshire crossbreds sired by Berkshire (BY), Large Black (LBY), Tamworth (TY) or Yorkshire (YY) boars and reared in hoop houses. The experiments were conducted at the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCA&TSU) Farm in Greensboro, NC and the Cherry Research Station Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) Alternative Swine Unit in Goldsboro, NC (source of antibiotic free Yorkshire sows used at both places). Twenty-four sows were artificially inseminated at each location in each of three trials. Litters were weaned at 4 wks old, and reared within deep-bedded outdoor hoop houses. To compare pork characteristics, 104 randomly selected animals were harvested at a USDA-inspected abattoir at approximately 200 d of age. Variables measured included pH, color score, $L^*$, $a^*$, $b^*$, marbling score, drip loss, hot carcass weight, backfat thickness (BF), loin muscle area (LMA), and slice shear force. Sensory panel tests were also conducted at two time periods. The data was analyzed with GLM in SAS 9.01 including location, trial, and sire breed as fixed effects. Backfat thickness, LMA, color score and $a^*$ were different among breeding groups (p<0.05). The LBY pigs had thicker backfat and smaller LMA than the other breed types. The TY and YY had less backfat than all other breed groups. Color score was lower for YY than BY and LBY but intermediate for TY. The $a^*$ was lower for TY than other breeds except LBY which was intermediate. For one sensory panel test, YY pork was more preferred overall as well as for juiciness and texture compared to BY and LBY (p<0.05), but no impact of breed type was noted for the other test, with values similar for BY, LBY, TY and YY pork. This information may help small farmers make decisions about breed types to use for outdoor production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.435-440
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• 1994

Postweaning performance data were obtained on 401 group fed purebred Angus calves from 24 selected sires (12 high and 12 low feed conversion sires) from 1983 through 1986 at the Northwestern Branch of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. The objective of this study was to determine the interrelationships between body measurements and 140-d feed conversion (feed/gain) adjusted for maintenance (ADJFC), 140-d feed conversion unadjusted for maintenance (UNADFC) and feed conversion measured until progeny reached 8.89 mm of backfat (FC). Variables measured at the completion of the 140-d postweaning period included hip peight (HH), chest depth (CD), chest width (CW), head width (HDW), head length (HDL), heart girth (HG), muzzle circumference (MC), backfat thickness (BF), length between hooks aod pins (HOPIN) and length between shoulder and hooks (SHHO). Measurements were taken from progeny born from 1983 through 1986 for HH and BF, while others, except chest measurements (CD and CW), which were available only in 1985, were taken from progeny born in 1985 and 1986. Negative phenotypic correlations were found for UNADFC, ADJFC and FC. respectively, with HG (-0.76, -0.65 and -0.85), HOPIN (-0.05, -0.28 and -0.09), HDL (-0.63, -0.66 and -0.57), MC (-0.12, -0.35 and - 0.25), HH (-0.38, -0.29 and -0.001), BF(-0.29, -0.31 and -0.12) and CW (-0.03, -0.35 and -0.58). In general, fatter animals with larger HG, longer HDL and greater MC had better feed conversion.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.328-333
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• 2007

Carboxypeptidase E (CPE) plays an important role in the regulation of the body fat content. Therefore, it has been suggested as candidate gene for traits related to meat quality in beef cattle. This study was conducted to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CPE gene and to investigate association of SNP marker with carcass and meat quality traits in Korean cattle. Three SNPs were identified in the intron 4 (A309G SNP and C445T SNP) and exon 5 (C601T SNP) of the CPE gene by sequence analyses of CPE cDNA and genomic DNA samples. The sequences have been deposited in GenBank database with accession numbers AY970664 and AY970663. Genotyping of the gene-specific SNP marker was carried out using the PCR-RFLP with restriction enzymes DdeI for C445T SNP and NlaIII for C601T SNP. The frequencies of C and T alleles were 0.43 and 0.57 for C445T SNP and 0.42 and 0.58 for C601T SNP, respectively. Statistical analysis indicated that the C445T SNP showed a significant effect (p<0.05) on marbling score (MS) and breeding value of backfat thickness (BF-EBV), respectively. Animals with the CT genotype showed higher marbling score and backfat thickness than those with the TT genotype. This marker also showed a significant dominance effect for the MS and BF-EBV (p<0.05). However, no significant associations were observed between C601T SNP genotypes and all traits examined. The results suggest that the CPE gene may be used as a marker for carcass traits in Korean cattle.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.457-463
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• 2014

Ultrasound measurements of backfat thickness (UBF), longissimus muscle area (ULMA) and marbling score (UMS) and carcass measurements of carcass weight (CW), backfat thickness (BF), longissimus muscle area (LMA), and marbling score (MS) on 7,044 Hanwoo steers were analyzed to estimate genetic parameters. Data from Hanwoo steers that were raised, finished in Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon-do (province) and shipped to slaughter houses during the period from October 2010 to April 2013 were evaluated. Ultrasound measurements were taken at approximately three months before slaughter by an experienced operator using a B-mode real-time ultrasound device (HS-2000, FHK Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) with a 3.5 MHz linear probe. Ultrasound scanning was on the left side between 13th rib and the first lumbar vertebrae. All slaughtering processes and carcass evaluations were performed in accordance with the guidelines of beef grading system of Korea. To estimate genetic parameters, multiple trait animal models were applied. Fixed effects included in the models were: the effects of farm, contemporary group effects (year-season at the time of ultrasound scanning in the models for UBF, ULMA, and UMS, and year-season at slaughter in the models for CW, BF, LMA, and MS), the effects of ultrasound technicians as class variables and the effects of the age in days at ultrasound scanning or at slaughtering as linear covariates, respectively for ultrasound and carcass measures. Heritability estimates obtained from our analyses were 0.37 for UBF, 0.13 for ULMA, 0.27 for UMS, 0.44 for CW, 0.33 for BF, 0.36 for LMA and 0.54 MS, respectively. Genetic correlations were strongly positive between corresponding traits of ultrasound and carcass measures. Genetic correlation coefficient between UBF and BF estimate was 0.938, between ULMA and LMA was 0.767 and between UMS and MS was 0.925. These results suggest that ultrasound measurement traits are genetically similar to carcass measurement traits.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.523-530
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• 2002

Repeatabilities and Correlations among Average Daily Gain, Backfat Thickness and Lean Percent in Swine The repeatability, correlation and rank correlation coefficients among average daily gain, backfat thickness and lean percent were estimated on the basis of records tested from August 1999 to February 2000 with 695 pigs of Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire boars and gilts tested at 2nd Korea Swine Test Station located in Ha-dong, Kyeongnam Province. The effect of the sex, breed and month of measured were estimated by the least square method. The repeatabilities were estimated from the component of variance among repeated measurements of the trait for the same animal. The results obtained are summarized as follow ; 1. The means of the major economic traits studied were 142.1 days, 173.7 days and 182.5 days for age at 1st, 2nd and 3rd measure, 57.9%, 56.2% and 55.2% for lean percent at 1st, 2nd and 3rd measure, 1.33cm, 1.61cm and 1.63cm for backfat thickness at 1st, 2nd and 3rd measure, 946.6g, 879.2g and 879.4g for average daily gain at 1st, 2nd and 3rd measure, respectively. 2. The correlation coefficients between the backfat thicknesses measured at 1st and 2nd, at 2nd and 3rd, at 1st and 3rd were 0.424, 0.700 and 1.424, respectively. The correlation coefficients between the lean percent measured at 1st and 2nd, at 2nd and 3rd, at 1st and 3rd were 0.493, 0.619 and 0.471, respectively. The correlation coefficients between the average daily gain measured at 1st and 2nd, at 2nd and 3rd, at 1st and 3rd were 0.716, 0.861 and 0.601, respectively. 3. The rank correlation coefficients between backfat thickness measured at 1st and 2nd, at 2nd and 3rd, at 1st and 3rd were 0.438, 0.693 and 0.441, respectively. The rank correlation coefficients between lean percent measured at 1st and 2nd, at 2nd and 3rd, at 1st and 3rd were 0.508, 0.593 and 0.478, respectively. The rank correlation coefficients between average daily gain measured at 1st and 2nd, at 2nd and 3rd, at 1st and 3rd were 0.704, 0.834 and 0.571, respectively. 4. The estimated repeatabilities of the traits studied were 0.428 for the lean percent, 0.374 for the backfat thickness and 0.673 for the average daily gain, respectively.