Association analysis of SNPs in the porcine CYP2E1 gene with skatole, indole, and androstenone levels in backfat of a crossbred pig population

The occurrence of boar taint in meat from uncastrated males may significantly affect the economics of pork production. The aim of this study was to analyse associations of four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the porcine CYP2E1 gene with skatole, indole, and androstenone levels in the Czech Large White-Czech Landrace commercial crossbreds. The SNPs were: g.2412C > T, c.1422C > T, c.1423G > A and c.*14G > T. Skatole, indole and androstenone levels were estimated by HPLC, and genotypes at the SNPs were determined by PCR-RFLP. SNPs c.1423G > A and c.*14G > T were in complete linkage disequilibrium. In boars, all SNPs were associated with the indole levels (P < 0.05; P < 0.01). There also were differences in the skatole levels in different genotypes, but these were not significant. No associations with androstenone levels were found. The associations of the SNPs with indole compounds should be studied in other commercial populations of boars to verify the favourable alleles and genotypes, with the prospect for their application in marker-assisted selection.