The initiative, which includes participation from the company Selección Batallé, focuses on identifying epigenetic markers potentially related to the animals' natural resilience. This factor is of growing interest in pig production for improving genetic selection.
Epigenetics studies how the environment can regulate gene activity without altering the DNA sequence. Researchers are analyzing whether pigs that respond better to stress exhibit differences in these epigenetic marks. Two populations of Duroc breed pigs were exposed to situations like reduced space or mild immunological stimulation.
Initial preliminary results show differences in the regulation of a limited group of genes related to metabolism, gene regulation, and immune and inflammatory responses. These findings will allow researchers to focus on genetic variants that explain the different responses of animals to stress.
The project was presented during the innovation cycle Breakfast for Inno, organized by Agrotecnio, the University of Lleida (UdL), Parc Agrobiotech Lleida, and the Diputació de Lleida. Researchers Houda Laghouaouta (Agrotecnio), Yuliaxis Ramayo (IRTA), and Sofia Gol (Selección Batallé) participated, moderated by Romi Pena (UdL).
In a second phase, epigenetic results will be combined with gene activity information to find molecular signatures that differentiate animals based on their stress response. These markers will be subsequently validated in an independent pig population to confirm their relationship with respiratory disease response, with potential applications in genetic selection and animal welfare.
