Survey of SNPs Associated with Total Number Born and Total Number Born Alive in Pig

Abstract

Reproductive productivity depend on a complex set of characteristics. The number of piglets at birth (Total number born, Litter size, TNB) and the number of alive piglets at birth (Total number born alive, NBA) are the main indicators of the reproductive productivity of sows in pig breeding. Great hopes are pinned on GWAS (Genome-Wide Association Studies) to solve the problems associated with studying the genetic architecture of reproductive traits of pigs. This paper provides an overview of international studies on SNP (Single nucleotide polymorphism) associated with TNB and NBA in pigs presented in PigQTLdb as “Genome map association”. Currently on the base of Genome map association results 306 SNPs associated with TNB (218 SNPs) and NBA (88 SNPs) have been identified and presented in the Pig QTLdb database. The results are based on research of pigs such as Large White, Yorkshire, Landrace, Berkshire, Duroc and Erhualian. The presented review shows that most SNPs found in chromosome areas where candidate genes or QTLs (Quantitative trait locus) have been identified. Further research in the given direction will allow to obtain new data that will become an impulse for creating breakthrough breeding technologies and increase the production efficiency in pig farming.