Effects of genotypes for IGF2, CCKAR and MC4R on the phenotypic estimations and breeding values for productive traits in pigs

Development of programs for marker-assisted selection has to be based on genetic polymorphisms, whose effect on the production traits and breeding values of animals is reliable and significant. Prospects for the use of genomic selection in pigs are associated with the development of low-density (LD) DNA arrays, which include the SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) selected by the results of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with HD-panels. Genes of insulin-like growth factor 2 ( IGF2 ), cholecystokinin receptor A ( CCKAR ) and melanocortin 4 receptor ( MC4R ) are of interest for inclusion in LD-panels. Numerous studies have shown a significant effect of these genes on feed conversion rate, growth rate, meat content, and fat deposition. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of complex genotypes for IGF2, CCKAR and MC4R on growth and carcass traits of the Landrace and Large White pigs raced in Russia. In total, 1262 animals, including Large White ( n = 667) and Landrace pigs ( n = 595) were studied...