Large scale genome-wide association and LDLA mapping study identifies QTLs for boar taint and related sex steroids.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Boar taint is observed in a high proportion of uncastrated male pigs and is characterized by an unpleasant odor/flavor in cooked meat, primarily caused by elevated levels of androstenone and skatole. Androstenone is a steroid produced in the testis in parallel with biosynthesis of other sex steroids like testosterone and estrogens. This represents a challenge when performing selection against androstenone in breeding programs, without simultaneously decreasing levels of other steroids. The aim of this study was to use high-density genome wide association (GWA) in combination with linkage disequilibrium-linkage analysis (LDLA) to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with boar taint compounds and related sex steroids in commercial Landrace (n = 1,251) and Duro

SUBMITTER: Grindflek E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3149590 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature