Genome-wide association analysis with correlated traits in Duroc pigs: growth, feed intake and ultrasound backfat thickness

Abstract Text: This study aimed at identifying genetic markers with potential pleiotropic effects for growth, feed intake and backfat in Duroc pigs by performing multivariate and univarite genome-wide association (GWA) analysis. Linear mixed models were used to perform genome-wide association analysis for three traits collected on 1,022 boars with 35,042 SNP genotyped on 18 autosomes. Heritability estimates for average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and ultrasound backfat (BF) were 0.40, 0.63 and 0.56. Estimates for genetic correlation were 0.48, 0.40 and 0.64, for ADG and ADFI, ADG and BF and ADFI and BF, respectively. One SNP ALGA0006684 on chromosome 1, located near gene SOCS6 and DOX6, was significant (1.4×10^-6) within three-trait GWA, showing potential pleiotropic effect. This SNP was also significant in single-trait GWA for ADG (2.2×10^-7) and BF (2.0×10^-7) and was approaching significance for ADFI (4.1×10^-6).  

Keywords:

Duroc pigs

GWAS

Pleiotropic