The present invention relates to a method for selecting a domestic animal
having desired genotypic properties comprising testing the animal for the
presence of a parentally imprinted quantitative trait locus (QTL). The
invention further relates to the use of an isolated and/or recombinant
nucleic acid comprising a QTL or functional fragment derived therefrom to
select a breeding animal or animal destined for slaughter having desired
genotypic or potential phenotypic properties. In particular, the
properties are related to muscle mass, fat deposition, sow prolificacy,
and/or sow longevity.