Genetic Assessment of Projected Residual Feed Consumption and Expression of Significant Candidate Genes in Duroc Pigs and Second-Generation Commercial Blends

Abstract

Residual feed intake (RFI) is one of the basic and complex feed characteristics that is economically important for livestock production. However, the genetic and biological mechanisms governing this trait in pigs are largely unknown. Therefore, the study aimed to identify genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), candidate genes involved in RFI regulation, their biological pathways and clustering, using genome-wide association analysis (GWAS). The study was carried out on Duroc pigs (n = 783) and their commercial hybrids of the second generation (n = 250), undergoing test fattening at automatic feed stations for individual accounting. As a result, genes that are significant in terms of the orthology of biological functions and in terms of expression in tissues and organs and are associated with RFI were obtained. These candidate genes include: adhesion receptor G6 (ADGRG6), centromeric protein S (APITD1), carboxypeptidase E (CPE), transmembrane calcium-binding protein (SYTL2), cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1), Fli proto-oncogene-1, transcription factor ETS (FLI1), teneurin transmembrane protein 3 (TENM3), prostaglandin E4 (PTGER4), and Potassium voltage-gated channel D subfamily member 2 (KCND2). In addition, the analysis of the obtained data on clustering showed the division into biological, functional and molecular libraries and data published in PubMed. Combining the information obtained, it can be said that the genetic component of the predicted residual feed intake is important, as indicated in previous and current studies. In this connection, there is a need to create molecular diagnostics and develop calculations for genomic assessment, in conjunction with feed conversion, which will improve productivity in pig breeding herds and improve the quality of products.