Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are an important part of the genome and have become powerful auxiliary DNA markers in animal breeding using marker-assisted selection (MAS). Based on previous sequencing data of Qinghai Bamei pigs, a total of three novel candidate SSR loci were analysed in this study. Time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) was used for SSR genotyping, and association analyses between SSRs and the litter size of Qinghai Bamei sows was also performed. The results of genotyping showed that the (ATC)n -P1, (AC)n -P2 and (AC)n -P3 loci had 2, 3 and 18 genotypes, respectively; 2, 3 and 8 alleles were also identified at these loci. Except for the (AC)n -P2 locus, the polymorphism information content (PIC) values of other loci were greater than 0.25. Association analyses indicated that only the (ATC)n -P1 locus was significantly associated with the litter size of Qinghai Bamei sows (p = .047). Compared to 189-/189- genotype, individuals with the 189-/195- genotype had the senior litter size, which was 9.04 ± 0.21. Our results enrich the data on SSRs in Qinghai Bamei pigs and indicate that (ATC)n -P1 is a candidate locus for MAS in the pig industry.
Keywords: litter size; pig; simple sequence repeat (SSR); time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS).
© 2021 The Authors Veterinary Medicine and Science Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.