Confirmed association between a single nucleotide polymorphism in the FTO gene and obesity-related traits in heavy pigs

We recently showed that a polymorphism in the fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene (AM931150: g.276T > G) is associated with fat deposition traits in pigs. To confirm this result, we genotyped this polymorphism in an Italian Duroc population made up by 313 performance tested pigs with known estimated breeding values (EBVs) for average daily gain, back fat thickness (BFT), feed:gain ratio, lean cuts (LC), and visible intermuscular fat (VIF, a measure of intermuscular fat in the hams). In addition, we genotyped 148 commercial heavy pigs for which several fat deposition traits and lean meat percentage were measured. The results of the association analyses confirmed the effect of the FTO mutation on obesity-related traits (VIF, BFT and LC) in the Italian Duroc pigs (P < 0.01) and in the commercial pigs (intramuscular fat content of different muscles, P < 0.05 or P < 0.10; lean meat content, P < 0.05; BFT, P < 0.05; intermuscular fat content in the hams, P < 0.05).