Association between leptin receptor gene polymorphism and quality of both meat and back fat in large white pigs of ukrainian breeding

Leptin receptor is one of the components of the system of regulating energy homeostasis of the organism. Leptin receptor gene (LEPR) polymorphism is associated with pig carcass index of the content of intramus- cular fat in its valuable parts, which is particularly important when assessing the quality of their carcasses for processing. Intramuscular fat is associated with meat fl avor characteristics and partly determines its tenderness, juiciness, and other parameters. Aim. To analyze LEPR gene (SNP NM001024587.1, p. 1987 C > T) polymor- phism in populations of various pig breeds and to establish its relationship with the quality of both meat and fat of pigs of Large White breed of Ukrainian breeding. Methods. Genetic-population analysis of nine pig breeds, associative analysis on the search connection of LEPR gene polymorphism with quality of both meat and fat of pigs of Large White breed of Ukrainian breeding. LEPR locus genotyping was performed by High Resolution Melting (HRM). Results. All the studied breeds are characterized by polymorphism of the leptin receptor gene (SNP NM001024587.1, p. 1987 C > T), signifi cant breed specifi city in the distribution of frequencies of alleles was established. Statistically confi rmed effect (p < 0.05) of genotypes LEPR on the content of intramuscular fat, total dry matter and moisture in the meat, as well as the moisture content in the back fat of pigs of Ukrainian Large White breed was revealed. Higher content of intramuscular fat was found in the animals with genotype TT, while a smaller amount of intramuscular fat and more moisture in fat was revealed in heterozygotes. Conclusions. Genetic marker LEPR SNP NM001024587.1, p. 1987 C > T can be used in the marker-assisted selection to predict and improve the performance quality of the meat of pigs of Large White breed of the Ukrainian breeding. These results suggest that porcine leptin receptor gene controls the quality of fat comp- lex – inside muscles and in the dorsal part of the carcass.