Abstract
Our understanding of the molecular genetic basis of several key performance traits in pigs has been significantly advanced through the quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping approach. However, in contrast to growth and fatness traits, the genetic basis of feed intake traits has rarely been investigated through QTL mapping. Since feed intake is an important component of efficient pig production, the identification of QTL affecting feed intake may lead to the identification of genetic markers that can be used in selection programs. In this study a QTL analysis for feed intake, feeding behavior, and growth traits was performed in an F2 population derived from a cross between Chinese Meishan and European Large White pigs. A QTL with a significant effect on daily feed intake (DFI) was identified on Sus scrofa Chromosome 2 (SSC2). A number of suggestive QTL with effects on daily gain, feed conversion, and feeding behavior traits were also located. The significant QTL lies close to a previously identified mutation in the insulin-like growth factor 2 gene (IGF2) that affects carcass composition traits, although the IGF2 mutation is not segregating in the populations analyzed in the current study. Therefore, a distinct causal variant may exist on the P arm of SSC2 with an effect on feed intake.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Archibald AL, Haley CS, Brown JF, Couperwhite S, McQueen HA, et al. (1995) The PiGMaP consortium linkage map of the pig (sus scrofa). Mamm Genome 6: 157–175
Bidanel JP, Rothschild M (2002) Current status of quantitative trait locus mapping in pigs. Pig News Inf 23: 39N–54N
Cameron ND, Curran MK, Thompson R (1988) Estimation of sire with feeding regime interaction in pigs. Anim Reprod 46: 87–95
Churchill GA, Doerge RW (1994) Empirical threshold values for quantitative trait mapping. Genetics 138: 963–971
de Koning DJ, Janss LL, Rattink AP, van Oers PA, de Vries BJ, et al. (1999) Detection of quantitative trait loci for backfat thickness and intramuscular fat content in pigs (Susscrofd). Genetics 152: 1679–1690
Edeal B, Rumph JM, Mass R, Killinger K, Jerez N, et al. (2000) Rapid communication: Linkage mapping of the mahogany (attractin) locus in cattle and pigs. J Anim Sci 78: 2479–2480
Genstat Committee (2002) Genstat release 6.1 reference manual VSN Oxford: N International
Georges M, (1999) Towards marker assisted selection in livestock. Reprod Nutr Dev 39: 555–561
Green P, Falls K, Crooks S (1990) Documentation for crimap, version 2.4 St. Louis: Washington University School of Medicine
Haley CS, Agaro Ed’, Ellis M (1992) Genetic components of growth and ultrasonic fat depth traits in Meishan and Large White pigs and their reciprocal crosses. Anim Prod 54: 105–115
Hyun Y, Ellis M, McKeith FK, Wilson ER (1997) Feed intake pattern of group-housed growing-finishing pigs monitored using a computerized feed intake recording system. J Anim Sci 75: 1443–1451
Knott SA, Marklund L, Haley CS, Andersson K, Davies W, et al. (1998) Multiple marker mapping of quantitative trait loci in a cross between outbred wild boar and Large White pigs. Genetics 149: 1069–1080
Lander ES, Botstein D (1989) Mapping Mendelian factors underlying quantitative traits using RFLP Linkage maps. Genetics 121: 185–199
Lander E, Kruglyak L (1995) Genetic dissection of complex traits: Guidelines for interpreting and reporting linkage results. Nat Genet 11: 241–247
Lee GJ, Archibald AL, Garth GB, Law AS, Nicholson D, et al. (2003). Detection of quantitative trait loci for locomotion and osteochondrosis-related traits in Large White × Meishan pigs. Anim Sci 76: 155–165
Malek M, Marklund S, Dyer C, Matteri M, Rothschild M, (2000) Linkage and physical mapping of the porcine prepro-orexin gene. Mamm Genome 11: 342–343
Roehe R, Plastow GS, Knap PW (2003) Quantitative and molecular genetic determination of protein and fat deposition. Homo 54: 119–131
Rohrer GA (2000) Identification of quantitative trait loci affecting birth characters and accumulation of backfat and weight in a meishan–white composite resource population. J Anim Sci 78:2547–2553
Rohrer GA, Alexander LJ, Hu Z, Smith TP, Keele JW, et al. (1996) A comprehensive map of the porcine genome. Genome Res 6: 371–391
Seaton G, Haley CS, Knott SA, Kearsey M, Visscher PM (2002) QTL express: Mapping quantitative trait loci in simple and complex pedigrees. Bioinformatics 18: 339–340
Van Laere AS, Nguyen M, Braunschweig M, Nezer C, Collette C, et al. (2003) A regulatory mutation in ifg2 causes a major QTL effect on muscle growth in the pig. Nature 425: 832–836
Walling GA, Archibald AL, Cattermole JA, Downing AC, Finlayson HA, et al. (1998) Mapping of quantitative trait loci on porcine chromosome 4. Anim Genet 29: 415–424
Webb AJ (1998) Objectives and strategies in pig improvement: An applied perspective. J Dairy Sci 81 Suppl 2: 36–46
Woods SC, Seeley RJ (2000) Adiposity signals and the control of energy homeostasis. Nutrition 16: 894–902
Acknowledgments
The authors are indebted to the staff at Dryden Farm (Roslin) for care of the animals and data collection. They thank Rosalie Waldron, Heather Finlayson, Alison Downing, and Jen Anderson for technical assistance. This project was supported through the LINK SLP program, with funding from DEFRA, MLC, Cotswold Pig Development Company Ltd., JSR Healthbred Ltd., Newsham Hybrid Pigs Ltd., Rattlerow Farms, and PIC.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Houston, R.D., Haley, C.S., Archibald, A.L. et al. A QTL affecting daily feed intake maps to Chromosome 2 in pigs. Mamm Genome 16, 464–470 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00335-004-4026-0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00335-004-4026-0