A molecular genome scan analysis to identify chromosomal regions influencing economic traits in the pig. II. Meat and muscle composition

Molecular genetic markers can be used to identify chromosomal regions that contain quantitative trait loci (QTL) that control meat quality and muscle composition traits in farm animals. To study this in pigs, a resource famil y was generated from a cross between two Berkshire grand sires and nine Yor kshire grand dams. A total of 525 F-2 progeny from 65 matings of F-1 parent s were produced. Phenotypic data on 28 meat quality traits (drip loss, wate r holding capacity, firmness, color, marbling, per centage cholesterol, ult imate pH, fiber type, and several sensory panel and cooling traits) were co llected on the F-2 animals. Animals were genotyped for 125 microsatellite m arkers covering the entire genome. Least squares regression interval mappin g was used for QTL detection. Significance thresholds were determined by pe rmutation tests. A total of 60 QTL were detected at the 5% chromosome level for meat qualify traits, on Chrs 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 1 1, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, and X, of which 9 and 1 QTL were significant at the 5% and 1% genome-wise levels ton Chrs 1,5, 12, 15, and 17), respectively.