Association of SNPs and haplotypes in adiponectin and adiponectin receptors with pig meat quality traits

Abstract Text: Adiponectin is mainly produced by the adipose tissue and its serum concentration is inversely correlated with body fat. Previous studies identified polymorphisms in the porcine ADIPOQ, ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2 genes. Some of these are associated with carcass and reproductive traits. Our objective was to look for associations between these previously identified SNPs and various loin quality traits in Duroc, Yorkshire and Landrace barrows. Landrace pigs with the ADIPOQ GC and GX haplotypes had smaller Minolta L* values when compared with the AC haplotype (P<0.05), whereas the GC and GX animals had lower drip loss values than AC pigs (P<0.05). In Duroc, the ADIPOR2 GCG haplotype showed higher drip loss and lower lactate dehydrogenase activity when compared with GCA pigs (P<0.05). Our results demonstrate that selecting for specific ADIPOQ and ADIPOR2 haplotypes may positively affect the longissimusmeat colour, water holding capacity and glycolytic potential in pigs.

Keywords: Adiponectin, Meat quality traits, Polymorphisms