Serum leptin concentration in pigs selected for high or
low daily food intake
Genetical Research (2000) 75 : 209-213
Selection for high or low daily food intake (DFI) in Large White pigs
resulted in higher serum leptin concentration, fat deposition and food
intake in the high DFI line. The response in serum leptin concentration
indicated that the higher fat deposition of the high DFI line was not due
to insufficient leptin production, as in the Lepob/Lepob
mouse. Serum
leptin was more highly correlated with fat deposition than with food intake
indicating that the response in serum leptin was primarily due to
increased fat deposition rather than to higher energy intake per se. The
low correlations between serum leptin measured at 30 kg and performance
test traits indicate that serum leptin would not be efficient for selection
of animals prior to performance test. However, the consistent positive
correlations between serum leptin and a measure of fat deposition suggest
that serum leptin could usefully be incorporated in selection criteria for
genetic improvement of carcass lean content in pigs.
Return
to Publications 
Return
to Home Page