Utilization of gut microbiome for pig breeding in feed conversion ratio

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K06349
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42010:Animal production science-related
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Uemoto Yoshinobu 東北大学, 農学研究科, 准教授 (50606837)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 腸内細菌叢 / 遺伝率 / ホストジェネティクス / ブタ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we evaluated the genetic effects of feed conversion ratio in purebred pigs, and showed that the estimated heritability for feed conversion ratio is moderate, suggesting that genetic improvement of feed conversion ratio is possible. Next, the relationship between gut microbiome and feed conversion ratio was investigated, suggesting that the higher the diversity of gut microbiota in a pig, the higher the feed utilization. Furthermore, we investigated the genetic influence on the diversity of the gut microbiome by estimating heritability, suggesting that the diversity of the gut microbiome is influenced by a genetic factor. These results suggest that the information of gut microbiome in pig can be utilized as a new selection index for genetic improvement of feed conversion ratio in pigs.

Free Research Field

動物遺伝育種学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ブタにおいて、一部の腸内細菌叢の個体間差が宿主の遺伝的背景の違いによって生じ、表現型に重要な役割を果たしていることが報告されている。本研究は、このような個体間の腸内細菌叢の違いの遺伝的背景を明らかにすることで、育種改良に応用する初の試みであり、これまでのブタの育種手法を大きく変える可能性を秘めている。また、本研究で用いる対象集団は実際に育種改良を行っている集団であり、本研究で構築した育種手法を実際の育種改良集団に直接還元できる可能性が高い。