PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS ON THE EFFECT OF CALPASTATIN GENE POLYMORPHISM IN CARCASS TRAIT IN PIGS

Abstract

The aim of the study was to characterize the polymorphism of calpastatin (CAST) gene identified with three restriction enzymes (HinfI, MspI, RsaI) in several pig breeds and lines bred in Poland and to evaluate the relation between the CAST genotypes and carcass traits. The analyses covered a total of 294 fatteners of Polish Landrace (PL), Pietrain (P), Zlotnicka Spotted (ZS), Torhyb [P × (Polish Large White × PL)] and Stamboek (Dutch Large White × Dutch Landrace). P pigs appeared to be monomorphic at each of loci considered, i.e. CAST/HinfI, CAST/MspI and CAST/RsaI, whereas all three genotypes at these loci were observed only in ZS and Stamboek pigs. An association between genotypes at locus CAST and carcass traits was analysed on 39 Stamboek castrated males free of RYR1T gene. Genotypes DD at locus CAST/MspI and EF at locus CAST/RsaI proved less fatty (thinnest backfat and lower weight of backfat with skin in loin) than two remaining genotypes at each of these loci. Moreover, genotypes DD at locus CAST/MspI and EE at locus CAST/RsaI were the most advantageous for eye-muscle area when compared to the remaining genotypes at these loci. It is concluded that CAST gene may be considered as a candidate gene for pig carcass quality. However, further studies are needed on more numerous animal material covering breeds (e.g. Large White) with all possible genotypes at loci considered in this report.