Association of a microsatellite flanking FSHB gene with reproductive traits and reproductive tract components in pigs

Microsatellite FSHBMS polymorphism at the 5' flanking region of FSHB gene was geno - typed and associations with reproductive traits in several pig populations and with reproductive tract components in the Large White × Meishan F 2 offspring were studied. The results showed that FSHBMS allele 98 carriers had a non-significantly higher total number born and number born alive in multiple pari - ties; 118/118 animals had a significantly higher number of piglets at weaning than 98/98 and 98/118 ani- mals (P < 0.05) and significantly higher litter weight at weaning and individual weight at weaning than 98/98 animals ( < 0.05). The 98/118 animals had the shortest gestation length ( P < 0.05); the length of uterine horns and the length of oviducts of 98/98 individuals were shorter and longer, respectively, than those with 98/118 genotype ( < 0.05).