Authors : Arkadiusz Terman, Marek Kmiec, Daniel Polasik and Artur Rybarczyk
Abstract: The aim of the experiment was to detect polymorphism in the RBP4 gene to determine associations between the genotype and litter size in Polish large white x Landrace sows. Reproductive traits investigated were: Total Number of piglets Born (TNB), Number of piglets Born Alive (NBA) and number of piglets weaned (TW). The polymorphism in RBP4 gene was detected using the PCR-RFLP method with specific primers and the restriction enzyme (MspI). Two different alleles were identified: alleles A (0.34) and B (0.66). The relationship between the RBP4 genotypes and TBN, NBA and NW were analyzed. The analysis of RBP4 gene showed that sows with BB genotype had the largest litter size compared to AB and BB sows and the difference was statistically significant (p≤0.01). Analysis of the interaction PARITYxRBP4 showed small and statistically not significant differences.
Arkadiusz Terman, Marek Kmiec, Daniel Polasik and Artur Rybarczyk, 2011. Association Between RBP4 Gene Polymorphism and Reproductive Traits in Polish Sows. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 10: 2639-2641.