Developmental changes and effect on intramuscular fat content of H-FABP and A-FABP mRNA expression in pigs

H-FABP and A-FABP genes are considered as candidates for intramuscular fat (IMF) accretion. The aim of the present study was to assess the expression of H-FABP and A-FABP genes in m. longissimus dorsi (LD) and liver tissues of Laiwu and Lulai Black pig populations of different body weight (BW). Eighty-four barrows at different BW (30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 kg, n = 6 per group) of Laiwu Black pig (no 100 kg group) and Lulai Black pig (no 30 kg group) were used to study the development changes of A-FABP and H-FABP mRNA expression and their relationships to IMF content. The results showed that, in both breeds, the IMF content increased continuously with growing (P < 0.05). The expression of H-FABP and A-FABP genes also increased with growing in LD tissue (P < 0.05), and reached a peak at 50 and 70 kg BW in Laiwu and Lulai Black pig, respectively. However, this regularity was not observed in liver tissue in both breeds. A positive correlation was just found between the A-FABP mRNA expression level in LD tissue and IMF content and BW in both breeds (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the A-FABP gene is strongly related to the development and function of IMF accretion in pigs.