Zygote arrest 1 (ZAR1) is oocyte-specific protein involved in the initiation of embryo development. The objectives of this study were to identify novel mutations in ZAR1 gene and investigate the association between its genetic variants and litter size in Chinese local and European pigs. A novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in exon 3 (g.2612T>C) and a 5 bp deletion/insertion in intron 3 (g.3838-3839insTGCAG) were found by sequencing and then their genotypes were identified in 218 sows of five breeds. The results of association analysis showed that the SNP g.2612T>C was significantly related to litter size in Durocs (P<0.05), the sows with genotype CC genotype gave more piglets than those of TT or/and TC genotypes. What’s more, the litter size in the Duroc breed was also significantly dependent (P<0.05) on polymorphism in intron3 (g.3838-3839 sTGCAG). Sows with NN genotype had more piglets per litter than those of MM or/and MN genotypes. A similar relation (though not significant) was observed in remaining breeds tested. It is concluded that ZAR1 gene might be a potential important candidate gene related to litter size in pigs.
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