ESR1 Candidate Marker Gene Associated with Litter Size in the Philippine Native Pigs (Sus philippensis)
ESR1 Candidate Marker Gene Associated with Litter Size in the Philippine Native Pigs (Sus philippensis)
Genevieve R. Tabon1,2, Noraine P. Medina2, Mary Rose D. Uy-De Guia3, Claro N. Mingala2,3*
ABSTRACT
Improving the sow’s prolificacy was one of the major concerns of the swine industry. Genes associated with litter size are widely reported and studied due to their economic impact. Estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) gene has been linked to being one of the major genes affecting litter size in swine. The Philippine swine breed is not commonly used on a commercial scale but in backyard production. The aim of the study was to assess the allelic variation in 30 Philippine native pigs (PNP). Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was done to evaluate the genotypes of ESR1 gene. Target gene was amplified and then subjected to RFLP using PvuII restriction enzyme. Results showed that all of the samples were found to be of AA genotype which is not the favorable genotype according to previous studies. The litter sizes of the PNP were also determined. Results showed that the genotype of ESR1 gene present in PNP is homozygote AA. The average litter size of the 30 PNP is 7.07 which is relatively higher than the average litter sizes of Nepal native pigs which ranges from 2 to 6. Moreover, the average litter size of the Philippine breed is also higher than the 5.0 average litter size of Tibetan pig breed which is one of the common breeds of pigs for commercial pig production.
Keywords | Genotype, Sus philippensis, ESR1 gene, PvuII, Philippines
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August 2022
Vol. 10, Iss. 8, Pages 1659-1886
