Analysis of FTO and PLIN2 Polymorphisms in Relation to Carcass and Meat Quality Traits in Pigs

Abstract The aim of this study was to analyze the association of polymorphisms in alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase ( FTO ) and perilipin 2 ( PLIN2 ) genes with carcass and meat quality traits in pigs reared in Poland. The research covered 578 sows that belong to the following breeds: Duroc, Hampshire, Polish Landrace, Pietrain, Puławska and Polish Large White. FTO (FM244720:g.400C>G) and PLIN2 (GU461317:g.98G>A) genes variants were determined by means of PCR-RFLP and ACRS-PCR methods respectively. Association between individual genotypes and analyzed traits was calculated by means of GLM procedure for Polish Landrace, Polish Large White and Puławska breeds separately and for all six breeds together in case of FTO gene. The results showed that FTO variants were associated with weight of loin without backfat and skin (WL), loin eye area (AL) and meat percentage (MP) in Polish Large White (P≤0.05), mean backfat thickness from 5 measurements (BFT) and pH measured 45 min after slaughter in m. longissimus dorsi (pH24 ld) as well as with water holding-capacity (WHC) in Puławska breed (P≤0.01). PLIN2 genotypes, however were correlated with WL and height of the loin eye (HL) in Polish Large White and Puławska (P≤0.05), AL in Polish Large White (P≤0.01) as well as luminosity (L*) in Puławska (P≤0.05) pigs. We observed most consistent relationships of PLIN2 SNP with intramuscular fat content (IMF) and WHC. In 3 analyzed breeds GG genotype was connected with highest values of these traits (P≤0.05).