Chromosome location and association of haplotypes of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 with production performance in swine

Sex-Specific Control of Muscle Mass: Elevated IGFBP Proteolysis and Reductions of IGF-1 Levels Are Associated with Substantial Loss of Carcass Weight in Male DU6PxIGFBP-2 Transgenic Mice

In farmed animals, carcass weight represents an important economic trait. Since we had demonstrated that IGFBP-2 represents a potent inhibitor of muscle accretion in inbred mice, we wanted to quantify the inhibitory effects of IGFBP-2 under conditions of elevated protein mass in growth selected non-inbred mice (DU6P). Therefore, we crossed male DU6P mice with female IGFBP-2 transgenic mice. Male IGFBP-2 transgenic offspring (DU6P/IGFBP-2) were characterized by more than 20% reductions of carcass mass compared to male non-transgenic littermates. The carcass mass in males was also significantly lower (p < 0.001) than in transgenic female DU6P/IGFBP-2 mice, which showed a reduction of less than 10% (p < 0.05) compared to non-transgenic female DU6P/IGFBP-2 mice. Although transgene expression was elevated in the muscle of both sexes (p < 0.001), serum levels were normal in female, but significantly reduced in male transgenic DU6P/IGFBP-2 mice (p < 0.001). In this group, also IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-4 were significantly reduced in the circulation (p < 0.01). Particularly in male transgenic mice, we were able to identify proteolytic activity against recombinant IGFBP-2 included in diluted serum. IGFBP-proteolysis in males correlated with massive reductions of IGF-1 in serum samples and the presence of elevated levels of IGFBP-2 fragments. From our data, we conclude that elevated tissue expression of IGFBP-2 is an essential effector of muscle accretion and may block more than 20% of carcass mass. However, in the circulation, intact IGFBP-2 contained no reliable biomarker content. Notably, for the estimation of breeding values in meat-producing animal species, monitoring of IGFBP-2 expression in muscle appears to be supported by the present study in a model system.

Association of Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 genotypes with growth, carcass and meat quality traits in pigs

Background

This study was conducted to investigate the potential association of variation in the insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) gene with growth, carcass and meat quality traits in pigs. IGFBP2 is a member of the insulin-like growth factor binding protein family that is involved in regulating growth, and it maps to a region of pig chromosome 15 containing significant quantitative trait loci that affect economically important trait phenotypes.

Results

An IGFBP2 polymorphism was identified in the Michigan State University (MSU) Duroc × Pietrain F₂ resource population (n = 408), and pigs were genotyped by MspI PCR-RFLP. Subsequently, a Duroc pig population from the National Swine Registry, USA, (n = 326) was genotyped using an Illumina Golden Gate assay. The IGFBP2 genotypic frequencies among the MSU resource population pigs were 3.43, 47.06 and 49.51 % for the AA, AB and BB genotypes, respectively. The genotypic frequencies for the Duroc pigs were 9.82, 47.85, and 42.33 % for the AA, AB and BB genotypes, respectively. Genotype effects (P < 0.05) were found in the MSU resource population for backfat thickness at 10^th rib and last rib as determined by ultrasound at 10, 13, 16 and 19 weeks of age, ADG from 10 to 22 weeks of age, and age to reach 105 kg. A genotype effect (P < 0.05) was also found for off test Longissimus muscle area in the Duroc population. Significant effects of IGFBP2 genotype (P < 0.05) were found for drip loss, 24 h postmortem pH, pH decline from 45 min to 24 h postmortem, subjective color score, CIE L* and b*, Warner-Bratzler shear force, and sensory panel scores for juiciness, tenderness, connective tissue and overall tenderness in MSU resource population pigs. Genotype effects (P < 0.05) were found for 45-min pH, CIE L* and color score in the Duroc population.

Conclusions

Results of this study revealed associations of the IGFBP2 genotypes with growth, carcass and meat quality traits in pigs. The results indicate IGFBP2 as a potential candidate gene for growth rate, backfat thickness, loin muscle area and some pork quality traits.

A comprehensive linkage map and QTL map for carcass traits in a cross between Giant Grey and New Zealand White rabbits

BACKGROUND

Genomic resources for the rabbit are still limited compared to many other livestock species. The genomic sequence as well as linkage maps have gaps that hamper their use in rabbit genome research. Therefore, the aims of this study were the improvement of existing linkage maps and the mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for carcass and meat quality traits. The study was performed in a F2 population of an initial cross between Giant Grey (GG) and New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. The population consisted of 363 F2 animals derived from 9 F1 bucks and 33 F1 does. 186 microsatellite and three SNP markers were informative for mapping.

RESULTS

Out of 189 markers, which could be assigned to linkage groups, 110 markers were genetically mapped for the first time. The average marker distance was 7.8 cM. The map across all autosomes reached a total length of 1419 cM. The maternal linkage map was 1.4 times longer than the paternal. All linkage groups could be anchored to chromosomes. On the basis of the generated genetic map, we identified a highly significant QTL (genome-wide significance p < 0.01) for different carcass weights on chromosome 7 with a peak position at 91 cM (157 Mb), a significant QTL (p < 0.05) for bone mass on chromosome 9 at 61 cM (65 Mb), and another one for drip loss on chromosome 12 at 94 cM (128 Mb). Additional suggestive QTL were found on almost all chromosomes. Several genomic loci affecting the fore, intermediate and hind parts of the carcass were identified. The identified QTL explain between 2.5 to 14.6% of the phenotypic variance in the F2 population.

CONCLUSIONS

The results present the most comprehensive genetic map and the first genome-wide QTL mapping study for carcass and meat quality traits in rabbits. The identified QTL, in particular the major QTL on chromosome 7, provide starting points for fine mapping and candidate gene search. The data contribute to linking physical and genetic information in the rabbit genome.

Increased fat mass, decreased myofiber size, and a shift to glycolytic muscle metabolism in adolescent male transgenic mice overexpressing IGFBP-2

To elucidate the functional role of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2) for in vivo skeletal muscle growth and function, skeletal muscle cellularity and metabolism, expression of signal molecules, and body growth and composition were studied in a transgenic mouse model overexpressing IGFBP-2. Postnatal growth rate of transgenic mice was reduced from day 21 of age by 6-8% compared with nontransgenic controls. At 10 wk of age body lean protein and moisture percentages were lower, whereas fat percentage was higher in IGFBP-2 transgenic mice. Muscle weights were reduced (-13% on day 30 of age, -14% on day 72), which resulted from slower growth of myofibers in size but not from decreases in myofiber number. The reduction in muscle mass was associated with lower total DNA, RNA, and protein contents as well as greater DNA/RNA and protein/RNA ratios. The percentage of proliferating (Ki-67-positive) nuclei within myofibers was reduced (3.4 vs. 5.8%) in 30-day-old transgenic mice. These changes were accompanied by slight reductions in specific p44/42 MAPK activity (-18% on day 72) and, surprisingly, by increased levels of phosphorylated Akt (Ser(473)) (+25% on day 30, +66% on day 72). The proportion of white glycolytic fibers (55.9 vs. 53.5%) and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (+8%) were elevated in 72-day-old transgenic mice. Most of the differences observed between transgenic and nontransgenic mice were more pronounced in males. The results suggest that IGFBP-2 significantly inhibits postnatal skeletal myofiber growth by decreasing myogenic proliferation and protein accretion and enhances glycolytic muscle metabolism.

Board-invited review: the biology and regulation of preadipocytes and adipocytes in meat animals

The quality and value of the carcass in domestic meat animals are reflected in its protein and fat content. Preadipocytes and adipocytes are important in establishing the overall fatness of a carcass, as well as being the main contributors to the marbling component needed for consumer preference of meat products. Although some fat accumulation is essential, any excess fat that is deposited into adipose depots other than the marbling fraction is energetically unfavorable and reduces efficiency of production. Hence, this review is focused on current knowledge about the biology and regulation of the important cells of adipose tissue: preadipocytes and adipocytes.