[A porcine linkage map of microsatellite markers using a commercial population as a reference]

A commercial population created with 19 hybrid boars [Piétrain x (Piétrain x Hampshire)], 52 hybrid sows [Leicoma x (Large White x Landrace)] and their 332 offspring was used to construct a whole genome porcine linkage map. The genetic markers used in this study include 172 microsatellite markers and 3 type- I markers (RYR1, PIT1 and PRKAG3). All microsatellite markers were genotyped using multiplex PCR reactions and visualized on ABI 377 sequencer. Three type I markers were assayed using PCR-RFLP technique. CRIMAP (2.4) analysis revealed a total length of the sex-averaged map for SSC1-SSC18 by 2449.2 cM and the length of SSCX by 143.1 cM. The average interval distance accounts to 16.3 cM. The heterozygosity of the parents at the microsatellite loci averaged 0.70. This map will play an important role in screening of QTL for growth, carcass and meat quality and reproduction in commercial populations.