文摘
Disclosed herein are genetic markers for pig litter size, methods for identifying such markers, and methods of screening pigs to determine those more likely to produce larger litters and preferably selecting those pigs for future breeding purposes based on the ESR polymorphisms. The markers are based upon the presence or absence of certain polymorphisms in the pig estrogen receptor gene. Preferably, the polymorphism is a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).