Abstract: The aim of this study was to discuss the polymorphisms in intron 4 of AQP7 gene in native and exotic pig breeds,and the results will provide useful scientific data to for further research on correlation between AQP7 gene and fat deposition traits. The distribution of PstⅠ polymorphisms in intron 4 of AQP7 gene were detected by PCR-RFLP among 42 Laiwu pigs,45 Licha pigs,31 Yimeng pig,55 Lulai pigs (Yorkshire × Laiwu),39 Duroc pigs,and 34 Yorkshire. The results indicated the genotypes of the AQP7 PstⅠ were GG,AG and AA from 6 populations. Allele G was dominant in Laiwu pig,Licha pig,Lulai pig,Duroc and Yorkshire,and allele A was dominant in Yimeng pig,respectively. A Chi-square analysis showed that Laiwu pig,Lulai pig,and Yimeng pig populations had reached Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05), and Licha,Duroc and Yorkshire were unequilibrium (P<0.05). Distribution of GG,AG and AA genotypes was significantly (P<0.01) in 6 populations. Population genetic character analysis showed that effective number of alleles ranged from 0.3084 to 0.4953 and polymorphism information content (PIC)were between 0.2609 and 0.3726,being moderate polymorphic locus. The results showed that genotype distribution in AQP7 intron 4 was significantly different between native pig breeds,exotic pig breeds and cultivated pig breed,while allele A was useful allele for fat deposition still need to verify further.

Key words: pig; AQP7 gene; polymorphism; genetic diversity; PCR-RFLP