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Mitochondrial DNA polymorphism and determination of effects on reproductive trait in pigs.

Yen NT, Lin CS, Ju CC, Wang SC, Huang MC

Department of Animal Science, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.

The purposes of this study were to investigate single strand conformation polymorphisms (SSCP) in the D-loop region of pig mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and to determinate their association with the reproductive traits of meishan pigs. A total of four types of band patterns, designed SSCP band pattern A, B, C and D, were identified. A type of SSCP band pattern was present in all European-American breeds, but not in East Asian breeds. This result showed the diversified sequence in the D-loop region between European-American and East Asian populations. Two types of band patterns, B and C, were found in Meishan pigs. The average body weight at day 21 of piglets from B type dams was significantly heavier than the body weight of C type (p < 0.05). We also tested whether the SSCP patterns would be suitable for paternity testing in a family group and found that bands of all the offspring were derived from their maternal parent. Therefore, we conclude that SSCP may be a marker for identification of maternal ancestors.

Published 19 July 2007 in Reprod Domest Anim, 42(4): 387-92.
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