Iowa State University Research Foundation Inc

Biotechnology Research and Development Corporation

Pig Improvement Company UK, Limited

Max F Rothschild

Christopher K Tuggle

Graham Stuart Plastow

Amy L Vincent

Alan J Mileham

Daniel C Ciobanu

Kwan-Suk Kim

Kwan Suk Kim

Lloyd L Anderson

Olwen Irene Southwood

Carol D Jacobson

Christy Gladney

Nguyet Thu Nguyen

Carole Sargent

Rebecca S Emnett

Massoud Malek

Niels J Larson

Catherine W Ernst

David A Vaske

Tun-Ping Yu

Lori A Messer

Graham Plastow

Disclosed herein are novel alleles characterized by polymorphisms in the CAST gene. The alleles may be used to genetically type animals. In a preferred embodiment, the alleles may be used as markers for animal meat quality and/or growth. Methods for identifying such markers, and methods of screening animals to determine those more likely to produce desired meat quality and/or growth and preferably selecting those animals for future breeding purposes are also disclosed.

Calpastatin (CAST) alleles

Genetic markers in the porcine melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) gene are disclosed which are associated with favorable meat quality traits including, drip loss, marbling, pH and color. Further, novel sequence data from regions of the gene are disclosed which may be used in a PCR test to screen for the presence of the marker. The genetic marker may be used to screen animals for breeding purposes which have the desired traits. Kits which take advantage of the PCR test are also disclosed.

Genetic markers for improved meat characteristics in animals (MC4R)

Disclosed herein are genetic markers for animal growth, fatness, meat quality, and feed efficiency, methods for identifying such markers, and methods of screening animals to determine those more likely to produce desired growth, fatness, meat quality, and feed efficiency and preferably selecting those animals for future breeding purposes. The markers are based upon the presence or absence of certain polymorphisms in an HMGA nucleotide sequence.

HMGA alleles and use of the same as genetic markers for growth, fatness, meat quality, and feed efficiency traits

Disclosed herein are genetic markers for animal litter size, methods for identifying such markers, and methods of screening animals to determine those more likely to produce larger litters and preferably selecting those animals for future breeding purposes. The markers are based upon the presence or absence of certain polymorphisms in the prolactin receptor gene.

Prolactin receptor gene as a genetic marker for increased litter size in animals

Disclosed herein are genetic markers for animal growth, appetite and fatness, methods for identifying such markers, and methods of screening animals to determine those more likely to produce desired growth, appetite and fatness and preferably selecting those animals for future breeding purposes. The markers are based upon the presence or absence of certain polymorphisms in the Ghrelin gene.

Ghrelin alleles and use of the same for genetically typing animals

Disclosed herein are genetic markers for animal meat quality and reproductive efficiency, methods for identifying such markers, and methods of screening animals to determine those more likely to produce larger litters and/or better meat quality and preferably selecting those animals for future breeding purposes. The markers are based upon the presence or absence of certain polymorphisms in the PRKAG3 gene.

PRKAG3 alleles and use of the same as genetic markers for reproductive and meat quality traits

Genetic markers in the Porcine melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) gene are disclosed which are associated with fat content, growth rate, and feed consumption. Further, novel sequence data from regions of the gene are disclosed which may be used in a PCR test to screen for the presence of the marker. The genetic marker may be used to screen animals for breeding purposes which have the desired traits regarding fat content, growth rate, and feed consumption. Kits which take advantage of the PCR test are also disclosed.

Melanocortin-4 receptor gene and use as a genetic marker for fat content, weight gain, and/or feed consumption of animals

Disclosed herein are genetic markers for pig leanness, methods for identifying such markers, and methods of screening pigs to determine those more or less likely to be obese and more or less likely to produce litters with leans or obese offspring and preferably selecting those pigs for future breeding purposes. The markers are based upon the presence or absence of certain polymorphisms in the pig leptin receptor gene.

Leptin receptor gene as a genetic marker for leanness in pigs

Disclosed herein are genetic markers for favorable reproductive traits in animals such as litter size, and weaning weight. Methods for identifying such markers, and methods of screening animals to determine those more likely to produce favorable reproductive traits and preferably selecting those animals for future breeding purposes. The markers are based upon the presence or absence of certain polymorphisms in the pig reproductive genes, including retinol binding protein 4, retinoic acid receptor gamma, melatonin receptor 1a, and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1

Genes and genetic markers for improved reproductive traits in animals

Disclosed herein are genetic markers for pig litter size, methods for identifying such markers, and methods of screening pigs to determine those more likely to produce larger litters and preferably selecting those pigs for future breeding purposes. The markers are based upon the presence or absence of certain polymorphisms in the pig prolactin receptor gene.

Prolactin receptor gene as a genetic marker for increased litter size in

Disclosed herein are genetic markers for pig litter size, methods for identifying such markers, and methods of screening pigs to determine those more likely to produce larger litters and preferably selecting those pigs for future breeding purposes based on the ESR polymorphisms. The markers are based upon the presence or absence of certain polymorphisms in the pig estrogen receptor gene. Preferably, the polymorphism is a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).

Growing community of inventors

Ames, IA, United States of America

Max F Rothschild