An effect of a missense mutation in the porcine melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) gene on production traits in Polish pig breeds is doubtful

A missense G-A SNP in the porcine melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) gene that causes an Asp-Asn substitution at position 298 of the corresponding MC4R protein is considered to be economically important, although published results on its effect are inconsistent. We analysed the association of this MC4R polymorphism with production traits in 679 gilts from two breeds, Polish Large White (PLW) and Polish Landrace (PL), as well as one synthetic line 990. The frequency of the A allele differed significantly among the breeds with frequencies of 0.76, 0.29 and 0.16 in PLW, PL and line 990 respectively. There was no evidence of an effect of this polymorphism on daily food intake, backfat thickness or abdominal fat. The A allele was correlated with higher test daily gains and lower levels of intramuscular fat in PL, and increased levels of intramuscular fat in PLW.