Association of NRAMP1 gene polymorphism with the productive traits of the Ukrainian Large White pig

Summary The study aimed to determine the influence of NRAMP1 gene polymorphisms on the pig???s productive traits. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples (n = 50) from pigs of the Ukrainian Large White breed. Genotyping was performed at NRAMP1 loci at positions 72 and 364 (AvaII) SNP and 176 and 334 (HinfI) SNP, counting from the beginning of the amplified fragment 536 bp. Polymorphism was found at the last two these loci. For NRAMP1HinfI 334 SNP, the frequency of the allele T was 1.9 times as high as that of the allele C. The observed genotype distribution deviated significantly from the expected one for NRAMP1HinfI 334 SNP (??2= 10.150; p < 0.01). Pigs of the Ukrainian Large White breed showed a rather high NRAMP1HinfI 334 SNP polymorphism (PIC = 0.35). Relationships were found between the Exon2 of the NRAMP1 gene (HinfI 334 SNP) polymorphism and the productive traits of pigs (average daily gains, p < 0.05; fat thickness, p < 0.01). The TT genotype positively affected the growth rate of the experimental pigs from day 28 to day 120, and their average daily gains were higher by 17.7 grams or 3.2% (p < 0.05). At day 180, the body weight of pigs with the TT NRAMP1HinfI334 SNP genotype was higher by 5.04 kg (p < 0.05). At the same time, they had thicker backfat (p < 0.01).