Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
07:07
Isolating Brown Adipocytes from Murine Interscapular Brown Adipose Tissue for Gene and Protein Expression Analysis
Published on: March 12, 2021
Candidate gene expression and intramuscular fat content in pigs
N V L Serão1, R Veroneze, A M F Ribeiro
1Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil.
Summary
Pork intramuscular fat (IMF) content varies by breed and sex, with Piau and crossbred pigs showing higher IMF. Gene expression, particularly of FABP3 and LDLR, strongly correlates with IMF, indicating their importance in fat deposition.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Intramuscular fat (IMF) content is a key determinant of pork quality and consumer acceptance.
- Understanding the genetic and molecular factors influencing IMF deposition is crucial for improving pork production.
- Porcine breed and sex are known to influence IMF levels, but specific genetic markers require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between intramuscular fat (IMF) content and the mRNA expression of candidate genes in pigs of different genetic groups and slaughter weights.
- To identify specific genes associated with fat deposition in the Longissimus dorsi muscle.
- To compare IMF content and gene expression patterns across Brazilian indigenous Piau, commercial, and crossbred pigs.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-two pigs from three genetic groups (Piau, Commercial, Crossbred) were slaughtered at four different live weights (30, 60, 90, 120 kg).
- Intramuscular fat (IMF) content was extracted from the Longissimus dorsi muscle.
- Candidate gene mRNA expression (ATN1, EEF1A2, FABP3, LDLR, MGP, OBSCN, PDHB, TRDN, RYR1) was quantified and correlated with IMF content.
Main Results:
- Piau and Crossbred pigs exhibited significantly higher IMF content at 120 kg compared to commercial pigs (2.48% and 2.08% vs. 1.00%, respectively).
- Barrows had higher IMF than gilts (1.54% vs. 1.30%).
- Significant correlations between IMF and the expression of EEF1A2, FABP3, LDLR, OBSCN, PDHB, TRDN, and RYR1 were observed across the entire dataset. Specifically, FABP3 and LDLR showed strong positive correlations (0.68 and 0.63, respectively) with IMF in the whole dataset, and even higher correlations (0.90 and 0.91) in Piau pigs.
Conclusions:
- Breed and sex significantly influence IMF deposition in pigs.
- The mRNA expression of FABP3 and LDLR is strongly associated with IMF content in porcine Longissimus dorsi muscle.
- These findings highlight the potential of FABP3 and LDLR as genetic markers for enhancing fat deposition in pigs.
