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International audience; The fatty acids profile has been playing a decisive role in recent years, thanks to technological, sensory and health demands from producers and consumers. The application of NIRS technique on fat tissues, could lead to more efficient, practical, and economical in the quality control. The study aim was to assess the accuracy of Fourier Transformed Near Infrared Spectroscopy technique to determine fatty acids composition in fat of 12 European local pig breeds. A total of 439 spectra of backfat were collected both in intact and minced tissue and then were analyzed using gas chromatographic analysis. Predictive equations were developed using the 80% of samples for the calibration, followed by full cross validation, and the remaining 20% for the external validation test. NIRS analysis of minced samples allowed a better response for fatty acid families, n6 PUFA, it is promising both for n3 PUFA quantification and for the screening (high, low value) of the major fatty acids. Intact fat prediction, although with a lower predictive ability, seems suitable for PUFA and n6 PUFA while for other families allows only a discrimination between high and low values. The proportions of fatty acids in pork fat took on a decisive role over the years, both due to the degree of fat unsaturation representing a key factor in the technological quality of processed meat and to the significant influence on qualitative parameters linked to sensory and nutritional profile 1. High quality meat demand of consumers and processing industry is increasing, in particular meat and meat-products derived from local breeds has been growing interest due to the positive perception of their quality products in terms of health and animal welfare 2 .

TREASURE is a multidisciplinary European project focused on the development of activities for the benefit of sustainable pork chains based on European local pigs. One of its main objectives is the genetic characterization of local pig breeds participating in the project, by using genetic and genomic tools. The most relevant genes and mutations associated with pig productive, meat quality, reproductive and disease resistance traits were prioritized and analysed in order to identify useful markers for authentication, traceability, conservation and breeding programmes. A panel of 32 SNPs were selected and a genotyping chip was designed and employed to genotype 48 animals from each one of 20 breeds included in the project (Schwäbisch Hällisches, Iberian, Black Majorcan, Basque, Gascon, Black Slavonian, Turopolje, Apulo Calabrese, Casertana, Cinta Senese, Mora Romagnola, Black Sicilian, Sarda, Lithuanian indigenous wattle, Old Lithuanian White, Alentejano, Bisaro, Mangalitsa, Moravka, Krskopolje). Twenty seven SNPs located in 24 genes were succesfully genotyped (MC1R, TYRP1, NR6A, PCK1, RYR1, IGF2, MC4R, PHKG1, SCD, GBP5, TAS2R39, TAS2R4, MUC4, ESR1, CYP2E1, LEP, CAST, MTTP, CYB5A, FTO, PPARGC1A, CAPN1, PPARD, CTSL). Results show very interesting findings, as lack or scarce segregation of markers in genes involved in coat color or productive and reproductive traits, such as MC1R, ESR1 or CTSL in all the analysed breeds, with useful implications for traceability. On the other hand, major gene alleles with contrasted effects on production and fatness (such as RYR1, IGF2, MC4R, LEP), meat quality (SCD, CAST, MTTP) or disease resistance (MUC4, GBP5) segregate in most breeds, in some cases with intermediate frequencies, opening selection possibilities. These results joint with ongoing genomic, transcriptomic and metagenomic assays, will provide essential information regarding genetic diversity, structure, selective signatures and population-specific biological processes responsible for specific production and quality traits. TREASURE project is funded under European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, grant no. 634476.

In the frame of the European TREASURE* project, the genetic characterization of 20 local pig breeds is being performed with genetic and genomic tools. The objectives are the study of genetic diversity in these populations and the identification of useful markers for authentication, traceability, conservation and breeding programs. In first place, a candidate gene approach has been applied and the most relevant genes and mutations associated with pig productive, meat quality, reproductive and disease resistance traits have been prioritized and analyzed. Two OpenArray® chips of 32 and 16 SNPs were designed and genotyped in 48 animals from each one of 20 breeds included in the project (Alentejana, Apulo Calabrese, Basque, Bísaro, Black Majorcan, Black Sicilian, Black Slavonian, Casertana, Cinta Senese, Gascon, Iberian, Krskopolje, Lithuanian indigenous wattle, Mangalitsa, Mora Romagnola, Moravka, Old Lithuanian White, Sarda, Schwäbisch Hällisches, Turopolje). Forty SNPs located in 34 genes were successfully genotyped (MC1R, TYRP1, NR6A, PCK1, RYR1, IGF2, MC4R, PHKG1, SCD, GBP5, TAS2R39, TAS2R4, MUC4, ESR1, CYP2E1, LEP, CAST, MTTP, CYB5A, FTO, PPARGC1A, CAPN1, PPARD, CTSL, LEPR, PRKAG3, ACACA, KIT, ACSL4, ADIPOQ, FASN, AHR, FUT1, MSTN). Results provide relevant information regarding genetic diversity and segregation of SNPs responsible for specific production and quality traits. Coat color and morphological trait-genes, showing low level of segregation, and fixed SNPs may be useful for traceability. On the other hand, we detected SNPs which may be useful for breeding programs. For instance, we observed predominance of unfavorable alleles for disease resistance and boar taint genes in most breeds, and segregation of many genes involved in meat quality, fatness and growth. These results joint with ongoing genomic assays, will provide essential information regarding genetic diversity, structure, selective signatures and biological processes responsible for specific production and quality traits.

In the frame of the European TREASURE* project, the genetic characterization of 20 local pig breeds is being performed with genetic and genomic tools. The objectives are the study of genetic diversity in these populations and the identification of useful markers for authentication, traceability, conservation and breeding programs. In first place, a candidate gene approach has been applied and the most relevant genes and mutations associated with pig productive, meat quality, reproductive and disease resistance traits have been prioritized and analyzed. Two OpenArray® chips of 32 and 16 SNPs were designed and genotyped in 48 animals from each one of 20 breeds included in the project (Alentejana, Apulo Calabrese, Basque, Bísaro, Black Majorcan, Black Sicilian, Black Slavonian, Casertana, Cinta Senese, Gascon, Iberian, Krskopolje, Lithuanian indigenous wattle, Mangalitsa, Mora Romagnola, Moravka, Old Lithuanian White, Sarda, Schwäbisch Hällisches, Turopolje). Forty SNPs located in 34 genes were successfully genotyped (MC1R, TYRP1, NR6A, PCK1, RYR1, IGF2, MC4R, PHKG1, SCD, GBP5, TAS2R39, TAS2R4, MUC4, ESR1, CYP2E1, LEP, CAST, MTTP, CYB5A, FTO, PPARGC1A, CAPN1, PPARD, CTSL, LEPR, PRKAG3, ACACA, KIT, ACSL4, ADIPOQ, FASN, AHR, FUT1, MSTN). Results provide relevant information regarding genetic diversity and segregation of SNPs responsible for specific production and quality traits. Coat color and morphological trait-genes, showing low level of segregation, and fixed SNPs may be useful for traceability. On the other hand, we detected SNPs which may be useful for breeding programs. For instance, we observed predominance of unfavorable alleles for disease resistance and boar taint genes in most breeds, and segregation of many genes involved in meat quality, fatness and growth. These results joint with ongoing genomic assays, will provide essential information regarding genetic diversity, structure, selective signatures and biological processes responsible for specific production and quality traits.

TREASURE is a multidisciplinary European project focused on the development of activities for the benefit of sustainable pork chains based on European local pigs. One of its main objectives is the genetic characterization of local pig breeds participating in the project, by using genetic and genomic tools. The most relevant genes and mutations associated with pig productive, meat quality, reproductive and disease resistance traits were prioritized and analysed in order to identify useful markers for authentication, traceability, conservation and breeding programmes. A panel of 32 SNPs were selected and a genotyping chip was designed and employed to genotype 48 animals from each one of 20 breeds included in the project (Schwäbisch Hällisches, Iberian, Black Majorcan, Basque, Gascon, Black Slavonian, Turopolje, Apulo Calabrese, Casertana, Cinta Senese, Mora Romagnola, Black Sicilian, Sarda, Lithuanian indigenous wattle, Old Lithuanian White, Alentejano, Bisaro, Mangalitsa, Moravka, Krskopolje). Twenty seven SNPs located in 24 genes were succesfully genotyped (MC1R, TYRP1, NR6A, PCK1, RYR1, IGF2, MC4R, PHKG1, SCD, GBP5, TAS2R39, TAS2R4, MUC4, ESR1, CYP2E1, LEP, CAST, MTTP, CYB5A, FTO, PPARGC1A, CAPN1, PPARD, CTSL). Results show very interesting findings, as lack or scarce segregation of markers in genes involved in coat color or productive and reproductive traits, such as MC1R, ESR1 or CTSL in all the analysed breeds, with useful implications for traceability. On the other hand, major gene alleles with contrasted effects on production and fatness (such as RYR1, IGF2, MC4R, LEP), meat quality (SCD, CAST, MTTP) or disease resistance (MUC4, GBP5) segregate in most breeds, in some cases with intermediate frequencies, opening selection possibilities. These results joint with ongoing genomic, transcriptomic and metagenomic assays, will provide essential information regarding genetic diversity, structure, selective signatures and population-specific biological processes responsible for specific production and quality traits. TREASURE project is funded under European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, grant no. 634476.

In the frame of the European TREASURE* project, the genetic characterization of 20 local pig breeds is being performed with genetic and genomic tools. The objectives are the study of genetic diversity in these populations and the identification of useful markers for authentication, traceability, conservation and breeding programs. In first place, a candidate gene approach has been applied and the most relevant genes and mutations associated with pig productive, meat quality, reproductive and disease resistance traits have been prioritized and analyzed. Two OpenArray® chips of 32 and 16 SNPs were designed and genotyped in 48 animals from each one of 20 breeds included in the project (Alentejana, Apulo Calabrese, Basque, Bísaro, Black Majorcan, Black Sicilian, Black Slavonian, Casertana, Cinta Senese, Gascon, Iberian, Krskopolje, Lithuanian indigenous wattle, Mangalitsa, Mora Romagnola, Moravka, Old Lithuanian White, Sarda, Schwäbisch Hällisches, Turopolje). Forty SNPs located in 34 genes were successfully genotyped (MC1R, TYRP1, NR6A, PCK1, RYR1, IGF2, MC4R, PHKG1, SCD, GBP5, TAS2R39, TAS2R4, MUC4, ESR1, CYP2E1, LEP, CAST, MTTP, CYB5A, FTO, PPARGC1A, CAPN1, PPARD, CTSL, LEPR, PRKAG3, ACACA, KIT, ACSL4, ADIPOQ, FASN, AHR, FUT1, MSTN). Results provide relevant information regarding genetic diversity and segregation of SNPs responsible for specific production and quality traits. Coat color and morphological trait-genes, showing low level of segregation, and fixed SNPs may be useful for traceability. On the other hand, we detected SNPs which may be useful for breeding programs. For instance, we observed predominance of unfavorable alleles for disease resistance and boar taint genes in most breeds, and segregation of many genes involved in meat quality, fatness and growth. These results joint with ongoing genomic assays, will provide essential information regarding genetic diversity, structure, selective signatures and biological processes responsible for specific production and quality traits.

13 Pág., Preserving diversity of indigenous pig (Sus scrofa) breeds is a key factor to (i) sustain the pork chain (both at local and global scales) including the production of high-quality branded products, (ii) enrich the animal biobanking and (iii) progress conservation policies. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chips offer the opportunity for whole-genome comparisons among individuals and breeds. Animals from twenty European local pigs breeds, reared in nine countries (Croatia: Black Slavonian, Turopolje; France: Basque, Gascon; Germany: Schwabisch-Hällisches Schwein; Italy: Apulo Calabrese, Casertana, Cinta Senese, Mora Romagnola, Nero Siciliano, Sarda; Lithuania: Indigenous Wattle, White Old Type; Portugal: Alentejana, Bísara; Serbia: Moravka, Swallow-Bellied Mangalitsa; Slovenia: Krškopolje pig; Spain: Iberian, Majorcan Black), and three commercial breeds (Duroc, Landrace and Large White) were sampled and genotyped with the GeneSeek Genomic Profiler (GGP) 70 K HD porcine genotyping chip. A dataset of 51 Wild Boars from nine countries was also added, summing up to 1186 pigs (~ 49 pigs/breed). The aim was to: (i) investigate individual admixture ancestries and (ii) assess breed traceability via discriminant analysis on principal components (DAPC). Albeit the mosaic of shared ancestries found for Nero Siciliano, Sarda and Moravka, admixture analysis indicated independent evolvement for the rest of the breeds. High prediction accuracy of DAPC mark SNP data as a reliable solution for the traceability of breed-specific pig products., This work has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 634476 for the project with acronym TREASURE. The content of this article reflects only the authors’ view and the European Union Agency is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. MŠ and MČP received core-financing by the Slovenian Research Agency (grant number P4-0133).

8 Pág. Departamento de ​Mejora Genética Animal, Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can be useful in order to determine meat quality traits as a rapid and non-destructive technique. The aim of the present study is to assess the accuracy of NIRS technique to determine meat quality traits on Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle of open-air free-range Iberian pig (n = 287) both in intact and minced samples. Traits were measured by instrumental-chemical techniques: colour (L*, a* and b*), myoglobin content, centrifuge force water loss and texture: shear force and texture profile analysis (TPA: hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, chewiness). Calibration models between instrumental-chemical measures and NIRS spectral data were developed employing partial least square regressions (PLS). The samples were split in two random datasets (80 % in training set, 20 % in external validation set). An internal full cross-validation method was applied. Results were evaluated in terms of coefficient of determination (R2), root-mean-square error (RMSE), residual prediction deviation (RPD) and range error ratio (RER). Full spectral range was used to develop mathematical equations. As regard external validation procedure, the highest coefficients of determination (R2p) in intact loin samples were achieved for hardness, redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) (0.70.7. The models developed suggest the ability of NIRS for quantitative prediction of shear force and for a rough classification of colour parameters L*, a*, b* in minced samples as well as hardness in intact samples., This work was financially supported by CON15-078, CON17-125 (INIA-SRC) and IDI- 20171141 (CDTI) grants. Miguel Ángel Fernández-Barroso was funded by FPI Ph.D. grant from the INIA institution.

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of breed and sex on carcass and meat quality traits of purebred Black Slavonian pigs and their crossbreds with Duroc. The study included 30 purebred Black Slavonian pigs and 30 crossbred pigs with Duroc (both experimental groups with equal number of gilts and barrows) reared under extensive keeping conditions. Feeding was based on cereal mixture (50% corn, 30% barley, 10% oats, 10% soybean) supplemented with alfalfa. During the winter period, pigs were fed alfalfa hay. When pigs reached a predetermined slaughter weight of approximately 130 kg, they were transported to the commercial abattoir and slaughtered after stunning with CO2 (90%). At the slaughter line following carcass traits were measured: carcass weight, carcass lengths, muscle and backfat thickness, surfaces of LD (longissimus dorsi) muscle and belonging backfat, as well as ham length and circumference. Meat quality traits measured included pH values and electric conductivity (at m. semimembranosus and LD muscle), meat colour (L*a*b*), cooking loss and instrumental tenderness. Crna slavonska purebreds had significantly higher backfat surface, as well as ham length and circumference. Breed did not influence other carcass traits. Purebred Black Slavonian pigs had higher pH45 values in LD muscle and pH24 values in SM muscle than crossbred pigs. Also, they exhibited lower L* values and higher a* values in SM than the crossbreds. However, the experimental groups did not differ in L* values measured in LD muscle, while crossbreds had higher a* values in the same muscle compared to purebred animals. Significant effect of sex was found for carcass length (both a and b), and ham length and circumference, where barrows exhibited higher values in all traits. The results of the study indicate that crossing the Black Slavonian pig with Duroc does not compromise meat quality of the crossbred animals, however, it does not improve its carcass traits when reared in the extensive system.

The aim of this work was to analyse the distribution of causal and candidate mutations associated to relevant productive traits in twenty local European pig breeds. Also, the potential of the SNP panel employed for elucidating the genetic structure and relationships among breeds was evaluated. Most relevant genes and mutations associated with pig morphological, productive, meat quality, reproductive and disease resistance traits were prioritized and analyzed in a maximum of 47 blood samples from each of the breeds (Alentejana, Apulo- Calabrese, Basque, Bísara, Majorcan Black, Black Slavonian (Crna slavonska), Casertana, Cinta Senese, Gascon, Iberian, Krškopolje (Krškopoljski), Lithuanian indigenous wattle, Lithuanian White Old Type, Mora Romagnola, Moravka, Nero Siciliano, Sarda, Schwäbisch-Hällisches Schwein (Swabian Hall pig), Swallow-Bellied Mangalitsa and Turopolje). We successfully analyzed allelic variation in 39 polymorphisms, located in 33 candidate genes. Results provide relevant information regarding genetic diversity and segregation of SNPs associated to production and quality traits. Coat color and morphological trait-genes that show low level of segregation, and fixed SNPs may be useful for traceability. On the other hand, we detected SNPs which may be useful for association studies as well as breeding programs. For instance, we observed predominance of alleles that might be unfavorable for disease resistance and boar taint in most breeds and segregation of many alleles involved in meat quality, fatness and growth traits. Overall, these findings provide a detailed catalogue of segregating candidate SNPs in 20 European local pig breeds that may be useful for traceability purposes, for association studies and for breeding schemes. Population genetic analyses based on these candidate genes are able to uncover some clues regarding the hidden genetic substructure of these populations, as the extreme genetic closeness between Iberian and Alentejana breeds and an uneven admixture of the breeds studied. The results are in agreement with available knowledge regarding breed history and management, although largest panels of neutral markers should be employed to get a deeper understanding of the population’s structure and relationships.