Additional novel candidate genes identified from the multi-breed carcass analyses included SORCS1, ARL15 and MTCP2. SORCS1, which was associated with carcass weight in the present study, has been previously associated with obesity induced type 2 diabetes mellitus [50], as well as being implicated as a receptor in the central control of energy balance [51]. Here, ARL15 is linked to obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.