Polona Margeta

A simple DNA based method for determination of pure Black Slavonian pigs

Abstract The aim of this work was to determine the MC1R genotype of Black Slavonian pigs and to find an efficient and simple PCR-RFLP method, based on differences in MC1R genotype, to distinguish between purebred Black Slavonian pigs and their crossings with commercial pig breeds and Wild Boars. Sequencing of the MC1R exon was performed to determine the genotype of MC1R in Black Slavonian pig breed, which was shown to be MC1R*2. Digestion reactions of both PCR products representing the majority of MC1R exon revealed presence of the BspHI restriction site at position 121 and absence of the AccII and CrfI restriction site at position 240, which is characteristic for the MC1R*2 genotype. A simple PCR-RFLP method, based on different coat colour MC1R gene genotypes was determined by which it is possible to detect potential crossings of autochthonous Black Slavonian pig with commercial pig breeds and also with Wild Boars.

Genetic diversity of autochthonous pig breeds analyzed by microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequence polymorphism

Abstract The evaluation of the genetic structure of autochthonous pig breeds is very important for conservation of local pig breeds and preservation of diversity. In this study, 18 microsatellite loci were used to detect genetic relationship between autochthonous pig breeds [Black Slavonian (BS), Turopolje pig (TP), and Croatian wild boar] and to determine phylogenetic relationship among Croatian autochthonous pig breeds and certain Asian and European pigs using the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop sequence polymorphism. Relatively high degree of genetic variation was found between the observed populations. The analysis of mtDNA showed that haplotypes of the studied pig populations are different from the other European and Chinese haplotypes. BS pigs showed some similarities with Mangalitsa and Duroc breeds. The genetic distances of TP can be explained by high degree of inbreeding during the past century. Despite the European origin of Croatian pig breeds with some impact of Chinese breeds in the past, the results of present study show that genetic diversity is still pronounced within investigated breeds. Furthermore, the genetic diversity is even more pronounced between Croatian breeds and other European and Chinese pig breeds. Thus, conservation of Croatian pig breeds will contribute to overall genetic diversity preservation of pig breeds.