Enhancing the accuracy of genomic prediction is a key goal in genomic selection (GS) research. Integrating prior biological information into GS methods using appropriate models can improve prediction accuracy for complex traits. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) is widely utilized to identify potential candidate loci associated with complex traits in livestock and poultry, offering essential genomic insights. In this study, a GWAS was conducted on 685 Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire (DLY) pigs to extract significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as genomic features. We compared two GS models, genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) and genomic feature BLUP (GFBLUP), by using imputed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data on 651 Yorkshire pigs. The results revealed that the GBLUP model achieved prediction accuracies of 0.499 for backfat thickness (BFT) and 0.423 for loin muscle area (LMA). By applying the GFBLUP model with GWAS-based SNP preselection, the average prediction accuracies for BFT and LMA traits reached 0.491 and 0.440, respectively. Specifically, the GFBLUP model displayed a 4.8% enhancement in predicting LMA compared to the GBLUP model. These findings suggest that, in certain scenarios, the GFBLUP model may offer superior genomic prediction accuracy when compared to the GBLUP model, underscoring the potential value of incorporating genomic features to refine GS models.

During the process of pork production, the carcasses of pigs are divided and sold, which provides better economic benefits and market competitiveness for pork production than selling the carcass as a whole. Due to the significant cost of post-slaughter phenotypic measurement, the genetic architecture of tenderloin weight (TLNW) and rib weight (RIBW)—important components of pig carcass economic value—remain unknown. In this study, we conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for TLNW and RIBW traits in a population of 431 Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire (DLY) pigs. In our study, the most significant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associated with TLNW was identified as ASGA0085853 (3.28 Mb) on Sus scrofa chromosome 12 (SSC12), while for RIBW, it was Affx-1115046258 (172.45 Mb) on SSC13. Through haplotype block analysis, we discovered a novel quantitative trait locus (QTL) associated with TLNW, spanning a 5 kb region on SSC12, and a novel RIBW-associated QTL spanning 1.42 Mb on SSC13. Furthermore, we hypothesized that three candidate genes, TIMP2 and EML1, and SMN1, are associated with TLNW and RIBW, respectively. Our research not only addresses the knowledge gap regarding TLNW, but also serves as a valuable reference for studying RIBW. The identified SNP loci strongly associated with TLNW and RIBW may prove useful for marker-assisted selection in pig breeding programs.

Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the localized or widespread absence of skin in humans and animals. Individuals with ACC may experience developmental abnormalities in the skeletal and muscular systems, as well as potential complications. Localized and isolated cases of ACC can be treated through surgical and medical interventions, while extensive cases of ACC may result in neonatal mortality. The presence of ACC in pigs has implications for animal welfare. It contributes to an elevated mortality rate among piglets at birth, leading to substantial economic losses in the pig farming industry. In order to elucidate candidate genetic loci associated with ACC, we performed a Genome-Wide Association Study analysis on 216 Duroc pigs. The primary goal of this study was to identify candidate genes that associated with ACC. This study identified nine significant SNPs associated with ACC. Further analysis revealed the presence of two quantitative trait loci, 483 kb (5:18,196,971–18,680,098) on SSC 5 and 159 kb (13:20,713,440–207294431 bp) on SSC13. By annotating candidate genes within a 1 Mb region surrounding the significant SNPs, a total of 11 candidate genes were identified on SSC5 and SSC13, including KRT71, KRT1, KRT4, ITGB7, CSAD, RARG, SP7, PFKL, TRPM2, SUMO3, and TSPEAR. The results of this study further elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying and genetic architecture of ACC and identify reliable candidate genes. These results lay the foundation for treating and understanding ACC in humans.

Congenital developmental abnormalities in piglets, such as intersex and aproctia, adversely affect survival rates, growth performance, and genetic breeding efficiency in pig populations. To elucidate their genetic basis, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 1030 Large White pigs. We combined 50 K SNP chip data with SWIM-based genotype imputation to enhance the resolution of genetic variation detection, followed by MLM analysis. Our results identified 53 significant SNPs, with 52 associated with intersex and 1 with aproctia. Key candidate genes included MAD1L1, ID4, EFNA5, and PPP1R16B for intersex and ARNT2 for aproctia. Functional enrichment analysis highlighted pathways related to gonadal development (e.g., progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation) and embryonic morphogenesis. Collectively, the identification of these SNPs and candidate genes advances our understanding of the genetic architecture of intersex and aproctia in piglets. These findings provide actionable insights for optimizing genetic breeding strategies and improving health management in Large White pig production, with potential implications for reducing economic losses caused by congenital disorders.

Background: The gut microbiota constitutes a highly diverse, complex, and dynamically evolving ecosystem within the host. However, the domestication process may alter microbial community composition and function. Here, we investigate these shifts using metagenomic analysis. Methods: Microbial diversity was evaluated using alpha and beta-diversity analysis. Furthermore, LEfSe and Functional analyses were employed to delineate significant disparities in microbial abundance and functional potential between wild boars (WB), Chinese domestic pigs (CDP), and Western domestic pigs (WDP). Results: Our analysis revealed distinct microbial signatures across populations. WB exhibit greater diversity differentiation from WDP, while showing higher similarity to CDP. WB were significantly enriched in the genera Treponema, Oscillibacter , and Pseudoflavonifractor . In contrast, Chinese domestic breeds were characterized by Lactobacillus, Prevotella and Ruminococcus , while WDP retained high abundances of Alistipes, Bacteroides and Clostridium . Functionally, the wild boar microbiome showed significantly higher activity in pathways related to plant secondary metabolite degradation and nutrient biosynthesis. Conversely, domestic pig microbiomes showed significant enrichment in antimicrobial resistance genes and DNA damage repair pathways. Conclusions: These findings indicate that domestication has influenced the swine gut microbiota, contributing to distinct compositional and functional divergences. Future research may explore the potential of reintroducing wild-derived probiotics to enhance domestic pig health.