The linkage of porcine locus for esterase D with a lethal factor

This work is devoted to a linkage study of the gene controlling esterase D and a lethal factor in domestic pig. Segregation for two alleles EsDB, whic h originated from populations of miniature swine and pigs of a large white breed, and the effect of these variants on the number of offspring in a lit ter were compared. The results showed a linkage of locus EsD with a lethal factor. This lethal factor causes the mortality of homozygotes and half of the heterozygotes in a litter, which depends on the litter size. The lethal factor was found to be absent in miniature pigs, and in the large white br eed it is predominantly linked with allele EsDB. The effect of the lethal f actor on population structure and fecundity is discussed.