Effect of DGAT1 gene mutation in sows of dam-line on the composition of the produced milk and piglet rearing during 21-day lactation

Abstract

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 gene (DGAT1) involved in the synthesis and transport of triglycerides is located on chromosome 4 in pigs, in the region with about 200 QTLs responsible among other things for: fat thickness, daily gains, fat content and composition of fatty acids. It is thus probable that the gene polymorphism (as in cows) may affect the fat content in colostrum and milk of sows. The objective of the experiment was to assess the effect of DGAT1 polymorphism on the milk composition of sows and as a result on piglet rearing during the suckling period. The experiment was performed on 207 sows of breeds used in breeding program as a dam-line: polish large white (PLW) and polish landrace (PL). Colostrum and milk of sows were collected at 1, 7, 14 and 21 days of lactation to assay solids, total protein, fat and lactose. Data on piglet rearing performance were collected at 1, 7, 14 and 21 days of lactation. The tests performed showed that A/G rs45434075 DGAT1 mutation occurring in PLW and PL sows did not  significantly affect the quality of their colostrum and milk expressed as solids content, and at the same time on piglet rearing performance. However, it was observed that PLW sows of the DGAT1GG genotype was characterised by a higher fat content in colostrum, whereas PL sows of the same genotype had an increased protein content and a reduced lactose content in milk.
 
Key words: DGAT1, Polymorphism, milk, rearing of piglets, maternal breed.

Abbreviation:  PLW, Polish large white; PL, polish landrace