Association of four new single-nucleotide polymorphisms in follicle-stimulating hormone receptor and zona pellucida glycoprotein with reproductive traits in pigs

Two new single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (Cl 166T and G 1190A) were discovered in the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene and two (G261A and T302C) in the zona pellucida glycoprotein (ZP3) gene. These SNPs were genotyped in three Chinese domestic purebred sow lines (42 Small Meishan, 46 Qingping and 41 Jinhua sows) and three European purebred sow lines (225 Duroc, 195 Large White and 65 Landrace sows) by using SNP chips. Phenotypic data including the functional teat number (i.e. milk-producing teats, TN) and number of piglets born alive per litter (NBA). These traits were tested for association with the genotypes of four SNPs. The association analysis revealed genotype of G261A in the ZP3 gene was significantly (P < 0.01) associated with overall NBA and NBA at later parities (NBA(2+)) but not with NBA at first parity (NBA(1)). There was a significant (P < 0.05) difference between sows with genotype GG (14.83 +/- 0.18) and AA (14.26 +/- 0.09) in TN at position 261 in the ZP3 gene. No significant associations were observed for the SNPs in the FSHR gene with NBA or TN in our populations. The results showed that the new SNPs in the ZP3 gene may be an effective potential marker to be used in conjunction with traditional selection methods.