Detecting QTL for feed intake traits and other performance traits in growing pigs in a Piétrain–Large White backcross

Knowing the large difference in daily feed intake (DFI) between Large White (LW) and Piétrain (PI) growing pigs, a backcross (BC) population has been set up to map QTL that could be used in marker assisted selection strategies. LW × PI boars were mated with sows from two LW lines to produce 16 sire families. A total of 717 BC progeny were fed ad libitum from 30 to 108 kg BW using single-place electronic feeders. A genome scan was conducted using genotypes for the halothane gene and 118 microsatellite markers spread on the 18 porcine autosomes. Interval mapping analyses were carried out, assuming different QTL alleles between sire families to account for within breed variability using the QTLMap software. The effects of the halothane genotype and of the dam line on the QTL effect estimates were tested. One QTL for DFI (P < 0.05 at the chromosome-wide (CW) level) and one QTL for feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01 at the CW level) were mapped to chromosomes SSC6 – probably due to the halothane alleles – and SSC7, respectively. Three putative QTL for feed intake traits were detected (P < 0.06 at the CW level) on SSC2, SSC7 and SSC9. QTL on feeding traits had effects in the range of 0.20 phenotypic s.d. The relatively low number of QTL detected for these traits suggests a large QTL allele variability within breeds and/or low effects of individual loci. Significant QTL were detected for traits related to carcass composition on chromosomes SSC6, SSC15 and SSC17, and to meat quality on chromosome SSC6 (P < 0.01 at the genome-wide level). QTL effects for body composition on SSC13 and SSC17 differed according to the LW dam line, which confirmed that QTL alleles were segregating in the LW breed. An epistatic effect involving the halothane locus and a QTL for loin weight on SSC7 was identified, the estimated substitution effects for the QTL differing by 200 g between Nn and NN individuals. The interactions between QTL alleles and genetic background or particular genes suggest further work to validate QTL segregations in the populations where marker assisted selection for the QTL would be applied.