Association of adiponectin and adiponectin receptor genes with sow productivity estimated breeding values

Our objectives were to estimate frequencies of previously identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and its receptors (ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2) in a population of Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire pigs and evaluate the effect of these alleles on sow productivity estimated breeding values (EBVs). Eight SNPs were genotyped on 446 pigs in the ADIPOQ (c.178G>A, c.*300A>G, c.*1094_1095insC and c.*1779A>C), ADIPOR1 (c.*129A>C) and ADIPOR2 (c.*112G>A, c.*295G>C and c.*1455G>A) genes. Association analyses were performed with sow productivity EBVs based on litter records collected in Canadian breeding farms. There were significant associations between ADIPOQ c.178G>A and c.*1094_1095insC SNPs and studied traits. However, none of these associations remained significant after applying a Bonferroni correction. The ADIPOR2 c.*112G>A SNP was associated with the total number of piglets born (TNB, P < 0.001) and litter weight at weaning (LWW, P < 0.001) EBVs. Associations were also observed between the ADIPOR2 [A;C;G] haplotype and TNB and LWW (P < 0.001). Our results demonstrate that a selection in favor of the c.*112G allele or against the [A;C;G] haplotype may have the potential to increase LWW EBVs. However, the c.*112G allele is also associated with lower TNB EBVs. Some of the alleles of the genes studied showed substantial variability and in general, the results corroborated previously reported findings for an independent sow population. However, careful cost-benefits analyses should be performed before using these markers in selection program as an improvement in TNB may translate into lighter LWW, with its associated negative impact on production traits such as growth performances.