Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica ›› 2024, Vol. 55 ›› Issue (2): 438-450.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2024.02.003

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Research Progress on Genetic Breeding of Reproductive Performance in Sows

ZHONG Xin, ZHANG Hui, ZHANG Chong, LIU Xiaohong*   

  1. School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
  • Received:2023-07-31 Online:2024-02-23 Published:2024-02-27

Abstract: In China, as the world's largest producer and consumer of pork, a significant issue persists in the generally low reproductive efficiency of maternal pigs. The breeding of maternal lines exhibiting high reproductive traits has emerged as the current focal point and hotspot of research. Presently, multiple known genes influencing the litter size of sows have been identified. These genes include estrogen receptors (ESR), prolactin receptors (PRLR), retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4), leptin (LEP), complement factor b gene (BF), insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP), catenin alpha-like protein 1 (CTNNAL1), wingless-type mmtv integration site family member 10B (WNT10B), transcription factor 12 (TCF12), deleted in azoospermia-like (DAZL), ring finger protein 4 (RNF4), and the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) family, among others. These genes exert their influence on the reproductive traits of sows through complex interaction networks. However, the phenotypic impact of only a few gene loci on the reproductive performance of sows remains limited. Consequently, there has been relatively modest genetic progress in breeding for maternal pig reproductive performance. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) employ a whole-genome strategy, utilizing comprehensive genetic marker information across the entire genome. This approach analyzes all genetic variations and polymorphisms as molecular genetic markers, contrasting them with phenotype and pedigree data through statistical analysis. This method accelerates the discovery process of crucial single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), quantitative trait loci (QTLs), and candidate genes. Genomic selection (GS) harnesses pedigree information, phenotype data, and SNP genotyping information across the entire genome. This technique provides faster and more accurate individual genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) for low heritability traits such as maternal pig reproductive performance. Consequently, it significantly hastens genetic progress in breeding.

Key words: sow reproductive performance, genetic breeding genes, genome-wide association analysis, genomic selection

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