GENETIC STRUCTURE OF UKRAINIAN LARGE WHITE PIGS, ESTIMATED USING MITOCHONDRIAL DNA-MARKERS

Aim. To study the genetic structure of Ukrainian Large White pigs using mitochondrial DNA-markers. Methods. Multiplex PCR-AFLP analysis, remarkable for the investigation of D-loop fragment between positions 15531 and 15959 of the pig mitochondrial genome with one monomorphic 15558W and five polymorphic sites TasI 15580T > C, 15616T > C, 15714T > C, 15758T > C, 15916A > T, was used. The presence or absence of site TasI in the abovementioned positions determines mitochondrial DNA haplotypes, indicated with Latin letters from A to P. Results. Seven mitochondrial DNA haplotypes of different frequency were revealed among Ukrainian Large White pigs. The highest frequency was noted for haplotypes G (0.141), J1 (0.133) and N (0.591), previously described for wild boars of Belgium, France, Italy (G); wild boars of Japan and China, Meishan and Large White breeds (J1) and wild boars of Japan and China, Berkshire and Large White breeds (N). The frequency for haplotype L (Belgian wild boar and Large White) is 0.022; haplotype A (French wild boar, Mangalica, Duroc) - 0.003; haplotype C (wild boar of France, Belgium, Poland, Israel and Landrace, Welsh breeds) - 0.092. Haplotype B1 (0.019) was revealed in Myrgorod breed, Poltava Meat and Red White Belted breeds, bred on its basis. Conclusions. The haplogroup of mitochondrial DNA of Ukrainian Large White pigs includes seven haplotypes of mitochondrial DNA. Pigs with haplotypes G, J1, N and L may be referred to representatives of Ukrainian Large White pigs, which did not have introgression of maternal line of other breeds.