Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis in a Meishan x Gottingen cross population

In order to locate the genetic regions in the swine genome that are responsible for economically important traits, a resource population has been constructed by mating two female Meishan pigs with a male Gottingen miniature pig. In subsequent generations, 265 F-2 offspring were produced from two F-1 males and 19 F-1 females. The F-2 offspring were scored for eight traits including growth rate, teat number, vertebra number and backfat thickness, and genotyped for 318 genetic markers spanning the swine genome. Least-square analysis revealed quantitative trait loci (QTL) effects fur vertebra number on chromosomes 1 and 2; for teat number on chromosomes 1 and 7; for birth weight on chromosome 1; for average daily gain between 4 and 13 weeks of age on chromosomes 9 and 10; for backfat thickness on chromosome 7; and for backskin thickness on chromosome 3.