Correlation analysis of microsatellite DNA markers with major growth traits of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

In order to obtain more molecule markers linked to growth-related traits of tilapia and evaluate their accuracy, 65 microsatellites loci were amplified in two Nile tilapia populations (Luye and Panyu), and the marker-trait association was analyzed by GLM（general linear model）procedure of SPSS software. The correlation analysis results showed that 8 loci(UNH130, UNH183, UNH911, GM558, UNH211, UNH176, UNH914 and UNH974) had a significant impact on major growth traits (weight, body length and body height) of Luye population(P<0.05 or P<0.01). In Panyu tilapia population, UNH914 and UNH974 had a significant impact on major growth traits (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and UNH176 just had a significant impact on body weight (P<0.05). The favorable genotypes or allele linked to growth traits including weight, body length and body height were determined by multiple comparison analysis between the phenotypic value and different genotypes of microsatellites markers linked to major growth traits. In this study, the microsatellite loci with a significant effect on growth traits were found, and they were potential valuable genetic markers for marker-assisted selection of tilapia.