An intronic SNP of PPARG and its association with fat traits in four meat-type duck populations (Brief report)

Abstract. Modern strains of ducks exhibit excessive body fat deposition, which is one of the main problems encountered by duck industry today. Excess fat deposition has led commercial breeders to incorporate significant selection for reduced body fatness in breeding programs. Peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors (PPARs) belong to the nuclear receptor superfamily (SCHOONJANS et al., 1996). In particular peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma, PPARG has been implicated in the regulation of lipid metabolism and, consequently, in diseases that involve disturbances in lipid metabolism (obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, cardiac failure) (VAN et al., 2002). Thus PPARG is a candidate gene for traits related to fat deposition.