March 7, 2012

US scientists discover possible cure for swine disease

US scientists have discovered a genetic marker in pigs, which identifies vulnerability to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), a disease which affects the US pork industry at an estimated US$664 million per year.

The genetic marker on swine chromosome 4 is associated with whether the pig has a reduced susceptibility to infection with the PRRS virus and is also linked to improved growth, according to a statement from the Pork Checkoff, which funded initial research that led to the discovery.

Finding the marker gene responsible for increasing resistance to PRRS will allow genetics companies to focus on PRRS resistance and could lead to producers introducing new PRRS-resistant lines into their herds, said Chris Hostetler, director of animal science for the Pork Checkoff.

The researchers, from USDA, Kansas State University and Iowa State University, used blood and tissue samples and weight-gain data from 2,000 pigs at bio-0secure facilities at Kansas State.

The researchers continue to be funded by the PRRS Host Genetics Consortium, which has been supported by the National Pork Board, the Coordinated Agricultural Project program, National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the US Swine Genome Coordinator for the National Animal Genome Research Program.