Aug 2026· Animals· Vol 16, pp. 2662· 0 citations· 110 references
Medicine
Abstract
Simple Summary In this study, we investigated the genetic basis of key feed efficiency traits, namely residual feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and average daily feed intake in a commercial line of heavy pigs. Using a Bayesian case–control genome-wide association approach, we identified, for each trait, multiple SNPs with high posterior probability for the direction of their effects, confirming that feed efficiency traits are polygenic. Potential candidate genes involved in feed efficiency, as well as in nutrient transport and absorption, metabolic homeostasis, immune functions, cellular signaling, energy sensing, neurological processes, and other processes, were identified. These findings highlight the complexity of feed efficiency and contribute to expanding current knowledge of the biological mechanisms underlying this trait in pigs.
Feed efficiency is a core economic trait in pig breeding, with feed costs accounting for 60%-70% of total production expenses. Deciphering its genetic basis is critical for precise molecular breeding and the development of grain-saving pig breeds. However, most existing studies rely on SNP arrays, which cannot capture...
Lin Chen, Bin Yang, Haoran Shi et al.· Animal Genetics· 0 citations
This study investigated the genetic basis of growth, carcass, and meat quality traits in Yanying chickens, an indigenous breed adapted to high-altitude environments. A total of 19 growth traits and 29 carcass and meat quality traits were measured, and genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed to identify loci...
Yu-Hang He, Qiang Wang, Jing-He Li et al.· Poultry Science· 0 citations
Simple Summary Litter size is an important determinant of reproductive efficiency and economic profitability in dairy goat production, but improving this trait through conventional breeding is challenging because it is influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors. In this study, we identified a chromosome 20...
Jian-Qing Zhao, Shu-Hao Guo, Jian-Wu Li et al.· Veterinary Sciences· 0 citations
Abstract In dairy farming, reproductive efficiency is vital to both profitability and sustainability. However, years of selective breeding for increased milk yield have adversely affected reproductive potential. This study aimed to pinpoint genomic regions and identify potential candidate genes associated with reproduc...
W. A. Lombebo, Ming-Xin Du, G. Tarekegn et al.· Journal of Animal Science· 0 citations
Teat number is a key reproductive trait for the commercial pig industry, as an optimum number enhances weaned piglet survival rate. This study aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genomic regions that are associated with teat number in the Large White sow. A total of 1000 French Large White sows...
