5/8/98

Contacts:
Max Rothschild, Animal Science, (515) 294-6202
Brian Meyer, Agriculture Information, (515) 294-0706

HUNT FOR PORK QUALITY GENES UNDERWAY AT ISU

AMES, Iowa -- Research at Iowa State University is narrowing the search for pig genes that are key to producing high-quality pork.

Last summer, at a pork quality meeting convened by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), producers agreed they have done well in selecting pigs that grow more efficiently and produce heavier muscles. But it was noted that a better job could be done in producing pigs with characteristics that make eating pork a delight.

An ISU project aims to do just that.

"Our ultimate goal is to raise pigs that produce the highest quality pork for consumers," said Max Rothschild. "We want pork to be their meat of choice." Traits important to pork quality include moisture, taste, color, tenderness and cooking properties.

ISU has developed a family of pigs specifically for pork quality studies. The animals are crosses between the Berkshire breed, which is known for its meat quality, and the Yorkshire breed. The researchers are collecting data on performance and meat quality from three generations of the pigs -- more than 500 animals.

Later this year, work will begin to narrow down the genetic regions linked to quality traits. The researchers will conduct a genome scan of each pig using 91 known genetic markers. Genetic markers act like signposts across the chromosome. "They are tools that can be used to match up the inheritance of a trait with the physical location of genes," Rothschild said. "Using gene markers and other technology, it's possible to localize the genes responsible for meat and muscle quality traits."

ISU's involvement in national and international pig gene mapping projects allows the use of the "latest, best and most informative markers," said Rothschild, who is the USDA's pig genome coordinator for the national swine gene mapping effort.

"This project is a big first step," he said. "We will narrow the search to certain regions of chromosomes, which will allow for future research to pinpoint specific genes."

Rothschild likens the narrowing process to finding the correct mailing address to send a letter. "The chromosome is the state. Regions within the chromosome are the cities. The street address is the gene itself. Right now, we don't even know which state we're in. This project will help us find out," he said.

The three-year, $255,000 project is supported by an NPPC-coordinated consortium of swine genetics firms and pork industry groups. Consortium members are PIC USA, DeKalb Swine, Shamrock, Danbred USA, Babcock Swine, Seghers Hybrid, Iowa Pork Producers Association and Iowa Purebred Swine Council.

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