Cytochrome b5 gene and its association with boar taint compounds in pigs

Cytochrome b5 (CYB5A) is a membrane bound protein involved in various biological processes such as being an electron transfer. In pigs, CYB5A is positively correlated to the level of androstenone in fat and also single nucleotide polymorphism in this gene is associated with lower androstenone in fat. We have analysed four SNPs in the promoter region of CBY5A gene with relative frequencies of alleles (g.165901487delG where G=0.637, g.165901767T>C where T=0.786 and C=0.214, g.165902078C>T where C=0.629 and T=0.370 and AFO16388:c.-G>T where G=0.629 and T=0.370). Same relative frequencies for alleles in g.165902078C>T and AFO16388:c.-G>T suggest their genetic linkage. Association analysis of the four SNPs and indole, skatole or androstenone have not shown any significant associations, but this might be due to the small number of animals analysed.