Українська версія | English version
THE INTERDEPARTMENTAL SUBJECT SCIENTIFIC DIGEST PIG BREEDING

and agroindustrial production

MOLECULAR GENETIC ASSESSMENT OF RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THREE PIG BREEDS BASED ON ESR1 AND PRLR GENES AND THEIR IMPORTANCE FOR SELECTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HETEROSIS EFFECT


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UDC: [575.113+575.22]:[636.4+636.028]:577.213.3

DOI: 10.37143/2786-7730-2025-5-6(83-84)9

REFERENCIS АРА style: Saienko, A. M., , V. V., Korobka, A. V., Dubinin, D. S., & Lobchenko, O. V. (2025). Molecular genetic assessment of relationships among three pig breeds based on esr1 and prlr genes and their importance for selection and implementation of the heterosis effect. Svynarstvo i Ahropromyslove Vyrobnytstvo [Pig Breeding and Agroindustrial Production]. Poltava, 5–6(83–84), 138–146 [in Ukrainіаn]. 10.37143/2786-7730-2025-5-6(83-84)9


A. M. Saienko, PhD (Agricult.), Senior Researcher, Head of the Genetics Laboratory
ORCID:https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0527-5367
E-mail:saenko_artem@meta.ua
Institute of Pig Breeding and Agroindustrial production NAAS, 1, Shvedska Mohyla str., Poltava, Ukraine, 36009 ROR: https://ror.org/00r693281
V. V. Matiiuk, PhD Student, Genetics Laboratory
ORCID:https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2286-6337
E-mail:kaleriya200600@gmail.com
Institute of Pig Breeding and Agroindustrial production NAAS, 1, Shvedska Mohyla str., Poltava, Ukraine, 36009 ROR: https://ror.org/00r693281
A. V. Korobka, PhD (Agricult.), Deputy Director for Research and Production Activities
ORCID:https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0866-0277
E-mail:korobka.anatolii@ukr.net
Institute of Pig Breeding and Agroindustrial production NAAS, 1, Shvedska Mohyla str., Poltava, Ukraine, 36009 ROR: https://ror.org/00r693281
D. S. Dubinin, PhD (Biol.), Researcher, Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Physiology, and Health
ORCID:https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5547-1614
E-mail:dmytrudubinin4@gmai.com
Institute of Pig Breeding and Agroindustrial production NAAS, 1, Shvedska Mohyla str., Poltava, Ukraine, 36009 ROR: https://ror.org/00r693281
O. V. Lobchenko, laboratory assistant
ORCID:https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8662-2012
E-mail:oleksandra.lobchenko@gmail.com
Institute of Pig Breeding and Agroindustrial production NAAS, 1, Shvedska Mohyla str., Poltava, Ukraine, 36009 ROR: https://ror.org/00r693281

Manuscript was received/ 06.10.2025

Received after review/ 20.10.2025

Accepted for printing 04.11.2025

Available online/ 30.12.2025

Abstract

Objective. This study aimed to compare the Myrhorod, Poltava Meat, and Welsh pig breeds at the ESR1 and PRLR loci, calculate genetic distances between breeds, and evaluate the practical implications of the findings for breeding programs and hybridization, with consideration of possible heterosis effect. Methods. DNA samples were collected from 20 individuals of each breed, maintained on farms in the Poltava region. Genomic DNA was extracted using Chelex 100. Genotyping of ESR1 and PRLR loci was performed via PCR-PCRF, including PCR amplification followed by analysis of restriction fragments on polyacrylamide gels. Allele and genotype frequencies were calculated, and observed and expected heterozygosity (Ho, He), polymorphic information content (PIC), and inbreeding coefficients (F) were determined. Genetic distances between breeds were estimated using Nei’s algorithm, and breed relationships were visualized using the UPGMA method. Results. In the Myrhorod breed, allele A predominated for both ESR1 (0.65) and PRLR (0.74), resulting in comparatively low genetic diversity (He = 0.38–0.45; PIC = 0.31–0.35). The Poltava Meat breed showed a more balanced allele distribution (ESR1: A = 0.58; PRLR: A = 0.51), with higher heterozygosity (Ho = 0.50–0.63) and locus informativeness (PIC = 0.37). In the Welsh breed, allele B was dominant (ESR1: 0.52; PRLR: 0.58), and the observed heterozygosity for PRLR (Ho = 0.762) was statistically higher than expected heterozygosity (He = 0.49), likely reflecting selection favoring heterozygotes. Genetic distance analysis revealed the greatest divergence between Myrhorod and Welsh breeds (0.125) and the smallest between Poltava Meat and Welsh breeds (0.019), with an intermediate distance observed between Myrhorod and Poltava Meat breeds (0.052), consistent with the historical contribution of Myrhorod pigs to the Poltava Meat breed. The UPGMA dendrogram confirmed two main clusters: Poltava Meat and Welsh breeds are located together on the dendrogram, while Myrhorod breed is located separately, reflecting both breed specialization and genetic relationships. Conclusions. The findings indicate that the genetically distant Myrhorod and Welsh breeds are suitable candidates for hybridization programs aimed at exploiting heterosis, while crosses between Poltava Meat and Welsh breeds may optimize meat productivity by consolidating desirable traits. The genetic proximity of Myrhorod and Poltava Meat breeds suggests their potential for maintaining local gene pools and enhancing population viability.

Keywords: genetic distance, marker-assisted selection, DNA markers, single nucleotide polymorphism, pig breeds, ESR1, PRLR.

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