Genome-Wide Association Studies of Hair Whorl in Pigs

This study examined the genetic basis of hair whorl traits in pigs using genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and copy number variation (CNV) analysis on 2,625 pigs, including 171 with hair whorls. It identified four significant SNP loci and 23 candidate genes associated with the trait, mainly involved in pathways like ErbB signaling and cell proliferation. The research found significant differences in reproductive traits, such as litter size, between hair whorl and non-hair whorl pigs, but no significant differences in meat production traits. The findings provide insights into the genetic architecture of hair whorl traits, contributing to pig breeding strategies by identifying genetic markers associated with hair whorls, which are culturally considered a negative trait in China.