Abstract: PPARGC1A, the gene encoding peroxisome proliferative activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α is a useful candidate gene for pork quality due to its regulation of the determination of myofibre type. In this study, changes in developmental gene expression of PPARGC1A in longissimus dorsi muscles were examined in two pig breeds, Landrace (lean) and Meishan pigs (obese) at birth, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days of age using quantitative real-time PCR. The results indicated that there were distinct expression patterns of PPARGC1A in the two pig breeds. At most stages, except at 30 and 60 days, the abundance of PPARGC1A mRNA in Meishan pigs was significantly higher than that in Landrace (p<0.01). Interestingly, there was a negative correlation between the PPARGC1A expression pattern and myofibre cross-sectional area across five developmental stages which implies that PPARGC1A might have an important influence on myofibre growth.