Polymorphisms and haplotypes of calpastatin gene are associated with performance and carcass traits in Italian Large White pigs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes in porcine calpastatin (CAST) gene on performance and carcass traits in Italian Large White (ILW) pigs. Seven SNPs located from promoter to exon 17 of CAST gene were genotyped by the Illumina GoldenGate genotyping assay in 280 ILW pigs and seven haplotypes were inferred from four informative SNPs. Association analyses were performed for SNPs and haplotypes with performance and carcass estimated breeding values in the ILW population. Significant association (P <0.05) was found for the two linked SNP2 and 3 and for the SNP5 with EBV for feed conversion ratio (FCR) and average daily gain (ADG) and for SNP4 with EBV for FCR (P <0.01). Moreover, the SNP5 was tested further for association with EBV in an additional 247-ILW pigs population, confirming the association with ADG and FCR and showing a significant effect also on lean cuts yield. The two most common haplotypes, Hap 4 and Hap 6, were associated with ADG and FCR. In particular, the occurrence of Hap 6 was associated with higher ADC and lower FCR, thus with more favorable values. The results suggest that selection toward the alleles defining Hap 6, including SNP2/3, SNP4 and SNP5, could be useful for the improvement of feed efficiency and growth traits in ILW pigs.