ASSAY

摘要

The present invention provides a method for determining the predisposition of pigs to boar taint. Boar taint is a strong unpleasant odour given off upon heating or cooking of meat from uncastrated male pigs. Boar taint is associated with elevated levels of skatole, indole and androstenone. There are significant economic losses attributable to current methods of preventing or producing the effect of boar taint. Thus, the identification of animals of the desired genotype allows for the selection against animals with a genetic predisposition to boar taint, this being an attractive, cost effective and humane solution to the boar taint problem. The present invention thus identifies QTL for boar taint and its component traits. In particular said traits are shown to be particularly located on chromosome 6 and 14, and further an important candidate gene mapping to chromosome 14 is also shown.