Growth performance of Vietnamese indigenous “I” pigs and its association with candidate genes

The aim of the study was to investigate the body weights of “I” pigs and the effects of candidate genes (PIT1, H-FABP, CAST, PIK3C3, and GHRH) on growth traits. The pigs were raised in the North of Vietnam. The body weights of 111 pigs at two months of age and of 108 pigs at eight months of age were collected by electronic scales. The average daily gain from birth to two and eight months of age were calculated based on the body weights at two and eight months of age, respectively, and actual days at two and eight months, respectively. The genotypes of PIT1, H-FABP, CAST, PIK3C3, and GHRH genes were identified by PCR-RFLP. Genotypes of these candidate genes and gender were included in the statistical model to analyse the effects of these factors on growth traits. The PIT1, H-FABP, CAST, and PIK3C3 genes did not affect the growth performance of the “I” pigs, while an association between GHRH and growth traits at two months of age was observed. The pigs with AB genotype of GHRH showed heavier body weight at two months of age and faster average daily gain from birth to two months than those with the AA genotype. The body weight at eight months of age and the average daily gain from birth to eight months of gilts were higher than those of barrows. These results suggest that there is potential for improving the productive performance of “I” pigs based on the B allele of GHRH.