Abstract：Adiponection (AdipoQ), a protein hormone secreted from adipose tissue, modulates a number of metabolic processes, including fatty acid catabolism and regulation of insulin sensitivity. The expression changes of AdipoQ and its receptor genes (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in longissimus dorsi and psoas major muscles of Rongchang (a fatty, indigenous, Chinese breed) and Landrace pigs (a leaner, Western breed) were measured using a Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR approach. Results showed that the AdipoQ, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 were ubiquitously expressed in all tissues analyzed, nonetheless, their mRNA abundances existed notable differences among pig breeds, genders and tissue types. The mRNA abundances of AdipoQ and AdipoR1 genes exhibited a negative correlation with the POI (porcine obesity index) and IMF (intramuscular fat) content traits, and a positive correlation with longissimus dorsi muscle area. Additionally, the mRNA abundance of AdipoR2 gene exhibited a strongly negative correlation(P<0.05) with IMF content. These results are in accordance with the well-annotated function of AdipoQ and its receptor genes, which increase fatty acid oxidation and decrease fat deposition, and highlight AdipoQ, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 as candidate genes for porcine meat quality and carcass traits.
