ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate polymorphisms of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) and insulin like growth factor 2 (IGF2) genes and to evaluate the growth traits affected by such polymorphisms in Thai native (Kradon) pigs. METHODS: Blood samples and productive data from 91 Kradon pigs were collected. DNA was extracted and quantified, the IGF2 and MC4R genes were amplified, and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) produces were digested using the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. Genotyping was performed, and the association between genotypes and growth traits on the birth and weaning weights were evaluated. RESULTS: The IGF2 intron7 g.162G>C variations in Kradon pigs were found in three genotypes: i) GG, ii) GC, and iii) CC. The GG genotype frequency was the highest followed by the GC and CC genotypes. The frequencies of the G and C alleles were 0.703 and 0.297, respectively. The MC4R genotype was found in only one genotype (GG). The IGF2 gene pattern was not associated with birth weight traits, whereas the IGF2 gene pattern was related to the weaning weight trait in Kradon pigs. Pigs with the CC and GC genotypes had higher weaning weights than ones with the GG genotype (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Thai native Kradon pigs with the CC and GC genotypes of the IGF2 gene have higher weaning weights than pigs with the GG genotype.
ABSTRACT
Halal products are growing in consumer markets worldwide, and pork meat is classified as non-halal. Manufacturers of processed foods and products must ensure that their products follow Islamic dietary law because pork is prohibited for Muslims. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (ddPCR) is a novel method for identifying pig species and quantifying pork products. This experiment aimed to investigate pork species and establish the proportion of pork in meat products using the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (CYTB). The study found that the correlation coefficient between the meat weight and DNA concentration of pork was 0.997, and the correlation coefficient between the DNA concentration and the target DNA copy number of pork was 0.998. The accuracy of the ddPCR assay was verified using a sample of a known proportion of pork, and it was revealed that this method is highly precise in quantifying pork products. Nine products contained an undeclared meat proportion (90%). The limit of detection for pork was 0.0001 ng. The analysis indicated that the ddPCR assay has high accuracy and sensitivity for quantifying pork products. Therefore, the predictive model can be used in routine laboratories for quality assurance of halal food products.
