UE 967 – Genetics and Experimentation in Animal Production (GEPA)
©
INRA photographic collection
The unit mainly leads genetic pig experiments but also studies on Orylag rabbit selection. GEPA is situated on two locations : Magneraud (17) and Rouillé (86).
The herd of approximately 200 sows is part of many experiments :
- Search for a major gene for intramuscular fat lipid content in a F2 Duroc x Large White population ; .
- Evaluation of several segregating QTL in French commercial strains for fine mapping ;
- Management of a strain of pigs presenting spontaneous atherosclerosis ;
- Analysis of melanoma susceptibility of MeLiM strain and fine mapping of QTL ;
- Devergent selection of residual feed consumption, detection of QTL
- Genetic determinism of intramuscular fat content ;
- Analysis of genetic evolution (1977-1998) for male sex traits and semen production ;
- Sexual precocity and female reproduction traits ;
- Genetic variability of the length and dynamics of parturition, litter traits ;
- Estimation of genetic variability of maternal aptitudes of sows in a system without restraints ;
- Fine mapping of two QTL on chromosomes 2 and 7 that affect body composition.
A surgical laboratory participates in the study of the consequences of renal reperfusion ischemia in normal pigs, and more recently in atheromatous patients in partnership with the Poitiers University Hospital.
The unit also has a herd of 240 female rabbits (Rex, Laghmere . . .) and performs experiments on hair coat, fleece and fur. A laboratory is available for histology and metrology in order to analyse hair follicles and fleece. In addition to Orylag selection, experiments are performed on the selection of the Laghmere strain and the study of other genes (like Satin).
Finally, the unit has an analysis laboratory whose main activities are sample preparation, DNA extraction and intra-muscular lipid measurement.
Twenty-eight employees work at GEPA.
Writing:
WBW
Creation date: 30 August 2007
Update: 26 January 2009
