• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2012

This study aimed to investigate the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the porcine MC4R gene and validate the effect of the MC4R genotype for marker assisted selection (MAS). Six amplicons were produced to analyze the entire base sequences of the porcine MC4R gene and six SNPs were detected (c.-780C>G, c.-135C>T, c.175C>T-Leu59Leu, c.707A>G-Arg236His, c.892A>G-Asp298Asn, and c.*430A>T). Linkage disequilibrium (LD) of the six SNPs was analyzed by performing haploid analysis. There was a perfect linkage disequilibrium in c.-780C>G, c.-135C>T, c.175C>T-Leu59Leu, c.707A>G-Arg236His, and c.*430A>T. Only the c.892A>G (Asp298Asn) SNP showed a very low LD with an $r^2$ value of 0.028 and the D' value of 0.348. As a result, the two SNPs-c.707A>G (Arg236His) and c.892A>G (Asp298Asn)-were selected to extract the genotype frequencies from the 5 pig breeds by using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) genotype analysis method. The SNP frequency of c.707A>G (Arg236His) indicated the presence of the A (His) allele only in Yorkshire, while the G allele was fixed in the KNP, Landrace, Berkshire, and Duroc. Association analysis was carried out in 484 pigs with the c.707A>G (Arg236His) SNP and the meat quality traits of four different pig cross populations: a significant association was noted in crude fat, sirloin moisture, meat color, and the degree of red and yellow coloration. The frequency of the c.892A>G(Asp298Asn) SNP genotype varied among the breeds; while Duroc showed the highest frequency of the A (Asn) allele, KNP showed the highest frequency of the G (Asp) allele. Association analysis was carried out in 1126 pigs with the c.892A>G (Asp298Asn) SNP and the meat quality traits of four pig populations: a highly significant linkage was noted in the back-fat thickness (P<0.002). It was found that the back-fat thickness was higher in individuals with the AA genotype than in those with the AG or GG genotype. Thus, in this study, we verified that the c.892A>G (Asp298Asn) SNP in the pig MC4R gene has a sufficient effect as a gene marker for MAS in Korean pork industry.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.175-186
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• 2020

This study approaches, from a floristic perspective, the under-researched human-primate competition for forest resources. Investigating the human impact on fruit trees edible for Kinda baboons (Papio kindae Lönnberg), we have collated dietary data on a free-ranging troop and floristic information on two forest sites of the Kundelungu National Park (KNP), Democratic Republic of Congo: the relatively intact Integral Zone (IZ) and the human-disturbed Annex Zone (AZ). Trees with DBH≥10 cm have been identified, counted and measured throughout 22 sample plots (11 per site), each measuring 1,000 ㎡. A total of seven woody species whose fruits are eaten by Kinda baboons were recorded. Four of them, namely the Sycamore fig Ficus sycomorus L., the Mobola plum Parinari curatellifolia Planch. ex Benth, the Kudu berry Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia Pax and the Monkey orange Strychnos innocua Delile were found in both sites, while the Large-leaved jackal-berry Diosyros kirkii Hiern and the Buffalo thorn Ziziphus mucronata Willd. were exclusively in the IZ, and Strychnos cocculoides Baker only in the AZ. Compared to the IZ, the AZ had lower values of stem density, species richness and diversity indices, suggesting a negative human impact on baboon-edible trees, in line with our hypothesis. Moreover, as was expected, human activities decreased the abundance of larger baboon-edible fruit trees. However, the size-class distribution of P. curatellifolia depicted a reverse J-curve in the AZ. The abundant younger P. curatellifolia trees remaining in that human-disturbed site constitute an important food stock for baboons, if well preserved. These results also illustrate the critical role of rangers' patrols, formerly more frequent (and presumably efficient) in the IZ than in the AZ of the Park. Their implications on baboons and miombo forests are discussed from both the research and conservation perspectives.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to analyse of association between growth traits and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) polymorphism of phosphoglycerate kinase 2 (PGK 2) gene in pigs. The birth weight of piglet influences on weaning weight and survival rate that are import economic traits in pig industry. Also, these growth traits are representative factor to decrease a period getting to marketing weight as well as growth rate in pig. The PGK 2 is an isozyme that catalyzes the first ATP-generating step in the glycolytic pathwayand important enzyme related with energy metabolism. Twenty of SNPs were discoveredby genome structure analysis that compares the sequence on promoter and transcription region of PGK 2 gene in porcine chromosome 7. An association between PGK 2 SNPs and growth traits was analyzed in $F_2$ reciprocal-crossbred population between korean native pig (KNP) and Landrace. Association analysis indicated that polymorphism of the PGK 2 gene promoter region has significant effects on weight at birth (p<0.01) and weight at 3 weeks of age (p<0.0001). These results suggest that PGK 2 gene polymorphism was associated with energy metabolism and physiological function of growth in pig.