[The genetic diversity and genetic effects of Myf-6 gene in different pig breeds]

As a member of MRFs, Myf-6 gene plays an important role in the progress of myogenesis. The PCR-RFLP technique was applied in this study to analyze the distribution of Myf-6 gene in 12 different pig breeds and hybrid breeds. The genetic effects of Myf-6 gene on muscle fiber, carcass quality, carcass grading traits and meat quality traits were analyzed. The results indicated that: The polymorphisms of Myf-6/Ava I genotypes (intron1) were not abundant. Most of Chinese native pigs were AA homozygotes. B allele can be found only in foreign pig breeds and hybrid pigs originated from foreign pig breeds. Although no BB individuals were found in the experiment, the carcass lean percent of AB individuals (50.344 %) was significantly higher than that of AA individuals (45.875 %)(P<0.01), the loin eye area of AB individuals (27.097 cm2) was significantly larger than that of AA individuals (22.572 cm2)(P<0.01), and the carcass fat content of AB individuals (39.889 %) was significantly lower than that of AA individuals (44.503 %)(P<0.01). That means that the B allele can increase carcass lean percent and loin eye area, and decrease the carcass fat content, thus cause better carcass quality. No significant effects of the genotypes were found on the muscle fiber, FOM carcass grading traits and meat quality traits (P>0.05).