Quantitative trait loci for fatty acid composition in longissimus dorsi and abdominal fat: results from a White Duroc x Erhualian intercross F2 population

A whole-genome scan was performed on 660 F-2 animals including 250 barrows and 410 gilts in a White Duroc x Erhualian intercross population to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) for fatty acid composition in the longissimus dorsi muscle and abdominal fat. A total of 153 QTL including 63 genome-wide significant QTL and 90 suggestive effects were identified for the traits measured. Significant effects were mainly evident on pig chromosomes (SSC) 4, 7, 8 and X. No association was detected on SSC3 and 11. In general, the QTL detected in this study showed distinct effects on fatty acid composition in the longissimus muscle and abdominal fat. The QTL for fatty acid composition in abdominal fat did not correspond to those identified previously in backfat and the majority of QTL for the muscle fatty acid composition were mapped to chromosomal regions different from previous studies. Two regions on SSC4 and SSC7 showed significant pleiotropic effects on monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in both longissimus muscle and abdominal fat. Another two QTL with significant multi-faceted effects on MUFA and PUFA in the longissimus muscle were found each on SSC8 and SSCX. Chinese Erhualian alleles were associated with increased ratios of MUFA to saturated fatty acid at most of the QTL detected, showing beneficial effect in terms of human health.