Genetic variation in Luman/CREB3 and association with stress and meat quality traits in Yorkshire pigs

LUMAN/CREB3 is a stress regulatory gene that affects activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in mice and presents promising avenue for exploring variable stress-responsiveness pigs. Pigs with similar characteristics to LUMAN-deficient mice, including greater resilience receptivity human handling, would be valuable pork industry from animal welfare production efficiency perspectives. We previously identified eight genetic variations five haplotypes throughout LUMAN locus Yorkshire In this study we analysed associations between behavioural response during three tests (open field test, novel object approach test), physiological (cortisol), carcass/meat quality measurements purebred Haplotypes A1 A2 were associated decreased levels environments plasma cortisol concentrations at slaughter. Haplotype was lower carcass scratch scores meat cooking losses tenderness. B1 B2 opposite traits increased losses, marbling, paler coloured meat. conclude DNA could potentially used as markers resistance pig breeding.