Association of the rs80915302 polymorphism on SSC13 with fattening, slaughter and meat quality traits in pigs
Abstract
Fattening performance, carcass composition and meat quality are complex traits influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Identification of genetic variants associated with these traits may contribute to a better understanding of their genetic background. The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between the intergenic rs80915302 C>T polymorphism on porcine chromosome 13 (SSC13) and selected fattening performance, carcass composition and meat quality traits. A total of 352 pigs—Polish Landrace (n = 180), Polish Large White (n = 115) and Puławska (n = 57)—were genotyped using PCR-RFLP. Phenotypic data were analysed using a general linear model including breed, genotype and breed × genotype effects and, for carcass traits, slaughter weight as a covariate.In Puławska pigs, rs80915302 was associated with number of days on test, lifetime daily gain, test daily gain and age at slaughter (p ≤ 0.05). An association with lifetime daily gain was also detected in the combined population (p ≤ 0.05). In the combined population, associations were observed for loin-eye width and average backfat thickness (p ≤ 0.05). For meat quality, genotype effects were observed for pH45 of the longissimus lumborum muscle in Polish Landrace pigs (p = 0.0305) and in the combined population (p = 0.0229), whereas pH24 differed among genotypes in Polish Large White pigs (p = 0.0198). No significant associations were found for intramuscular fat, L*, a*, b* or water-holding capacity.The detected effects were not consistent across breeds or traits. Because the study was observational and did not include functional analyses, the results demonstrate statistical associations only and do not establish that rs80915302 is causal or has a regulatory function. In conclusion, rs80915302 was associated with selected growth, carcass and pH traits in the analysed population. These findings require confirmation in larger, independent populations, together with further analysis of the surrounding genomic region and functional validation.Keywords: association study; fattening traits; meat quality; rs80915302; SSC13