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Cattle Breeds (cattle + breed)
Selected AbstractsVolatile Compounds of Raw Beef from 5 Local Spanish Cattle Breeds Stored Under Modified AtmosphereJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 4 2002K. Insausti ABSTRACT Volatile compounds of raw beef from Asturiana de los Valles, Morucha, Parda Alpina, Pirenaica, and Retinta cattle breeds were studied. Steaks were packaged under 60% O2, 30% CO2, and 10% N2, and 53 volatile compounds were tentatively identified by purge-and-trap extraction and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry after 0, 5, 10, and 15 d of chill storage. The degradation of beef quality with increasing storage time was evidenced by the increase in 2,3,3-trimethylpentane, 2,2,5-trimethylhexane, 3-octene, 3-methyl-2-heptene, 2-octene, and 2-propanone and by the decrease in dimethyl sulfide. Consequently, some of the volatile compounds, which are believed to be formed by thermal degradation of meat, might be formed during chill storage, and the rate of formation of some was dependent on the specific compound. [source] Estimation of genetic parameters of type traits in Asturiana de los Valles beef cattle breedJOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 2 2002J. P. GUTIÉRREZ Ten type traits and a final score were analysed in 5868 records of the Asturiana de los Valles beef cattle breed. Traits were grouped into two classes: (i) traits scoring skeletal and muscular development and (ii) traits scoring adjustment to the breed standard. Heritabilities were moderate to low, ranging from 0.04 to 0.26. Genetic correlations among traits were, in general, in the same direction as, but higher than, phenotypic correlations. The genetic variability shown, in general, for the analysed traits would justify the inclusion of morphological assessment in the Asturiana de los Valles beef cattle breed sire selection programme. Main characteristics of the current type classification system are criticized. The knowledge of (co)variances among type and economically important productive and reproductive traits is recommended before revision of the classification methodology. Schätzung genetischer Parameter für Exterieurmerkmale in der Asturiana de los Valles Fleischrinderrasse 5868 registrierte Asturiana de los Valles Tiere wurden bezüglich 10 Exterieurmerkmalen und eines Gesamtwertes auf der Basis einer gewichteten Berücksichtigung dieser Einzelmerkmale untersucht. Die Merkmale wurden in zwei Klassen unterteilt: (i) Merkmale, die Skelett- und Muskelentwicklung betreffen und (ii) rassespezifische Merkmale. Die Heritabilitäten lagen zwischen 0,04 und 0,26. Genetische Korrelationen zwischen den Merkmalen waren allgemein mit den phänotypischen Korrelationen gleichgerichtet, aber mit höheren Werten. Die aufgezeigte genetische Variabilität der untersuchten Merkmale würde deren Eingliederung in die morphologische Bewertung im Rahmen des Asturiana de los Valles Fleischrinder Selektionsprogrammes für Bullen rechtfertigen. Wichtige Charakteristika der gegenwärtigen Exterieurbeurteilung werden kritisiert. Es wird empfohlen erst (Ko-)varianzen zwischen Exterieur und ökonomisch wichtigen Produktions- und Reproduktionsmerkmalen zu ermitteln, bevor die Bewertungsmethodik überarbeitet wird. [source] Blood Supply in the Tongue of Nellore Bos indicus (Linnaeus, 1758)ANATOMIA, HISTOLOGIA, EMBRYOLOGIA, Issue 2 2009J. R. Ferreira Summary Aspects of the vascularization of the tongue of Nellore Bos indicus (Linnaeus, 1758) were evaluated through the vascular injection technique (with latex-type Neoprene 450, Du Pont do Brasil S.A. and Sulvinil coloring, Glassurit), fixed in formaldehyde at 7% and dissected with magnifying glass. The material was collected at Goiás Carnes Freezer Warehouse in Goiania, Goias. It was found that the deep lingual artery penetrated the lower lateral region of the prominence of the dorsal area of the tongue, advancing rostrally between the hyoid bone and the hypoglossal muscle. In the intravisceral initial third, the artery represents the deep, sinuous continuation branch of the lingual artery, in which path the sublingual artery was stressed in the ventral plan. Then, the artery deepened in the interior of the hypoglossal muscles and genioglossal, supplying dorsal branches (from three to nine) for the lingual torus; from one to five dorsal collateral branches for the lingual cavity; and one or two ventral collateral branches. At the lingual apex, the artery undergoes bifurcation supplying collateral, dorsal and ventral branches with anastomoses between the parallel vessels in the same antimere and between branches of lower caliber hierarchy between opposite antemeres. The large presence of microvessels indicates a significant blood supply to the organ. These results, in comparison with those found in literature, suggest a peculiar vascular pattern for this cattle breed of Indian origin. [source] Confirmation and refinement of a QTL on BTA5 affecting milk production traits in the Fleckvieh dual purpose cattle breedANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 1 2010A. Awad Summary We analysed a QTL affecting milk yield (MY), milk protein yield (PY) and milk fat yield (FY) in the dual purpose cattle breed Fleckvieh on BTA5. Twenty-six microsatellite markers covering 135 cM were selected to analyse nine half-sib families containing 605 sons in a granddaughter design. We thereby assigned two new markers to the public linkage map using the CRI-MAP program. Phenotypic records were daughter yield deviations (DYD) originating from the routinely performed genetic evaluations of breeding animals. To determine the position of the QTL, three different approaches were applied: interval mapping (IM), linkage analysis by variance component analysis (LAVC), and combined linkage disequilibrium (LD) and linkage (LDL) analysis. All three methods mapped the QTL in the same marker interval (BM2830-ETH152) with the greatest test-statistic value at 118, 119.33 and 119.33 cM respectively. The positive QTL allele simultaneously increases DYD in the first lactation by 272 kg milk, 7.1 kg milk protein and 7.0 kg milk fat. Although the mapping accuracy and the significance of a QTL effect increased from IM over LAVC to LDL, the confidence interval was large (13, 20 and 24 cM for FY, MY and PY respectively) for the positional cloning of the causal gene. The estimated averages of pair wise marker LD with a distance <5 cM were low (0.107) and reflect the large effective population size of the Fleckvieh subpopulation analysed. This low level of LD suggests a need for increase in marker density in following fine mapping steps. [source] The population genetic effects of ancestry and admixture in a subdivided cattle breedANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 4 2009T. C. Bray Summary The genetic structure of the Dexter, a minority cattle breed with complex demographic history, was investigated using microsatellite markers and a range of statistical approaches designed to detect both admixture and genetic drift. Modern representatives of two putative ancestral populations, the Devon and Kerry, together with the different populations of the Dexter, which have experienced different demographic histories, were analysed. Breed units showed comparatively high levels of genetic variability (HE = 0.63,0.68); however, distinct genetic subgroups were detected within the Dexter, which could be attributed to known demographic events. Much lower diversity was identified in three small, isolated Dexter populations (HE = 0.52,0.55) and higher differentiation (FST > 0.13) was found. For one of these populations, where strong selection has taken place, we also found evidence of a demographic bottleneck. Three methods for quantifying breed admixture were applied and substantial method-based variation in estimates for the genetic contribution of the two proposed ancestral populations for each subdivision of the Dexter was found. Results were consistent only in the case of a group consisting of selected Traditional Dexter animals, where the ancestor of the modern Kerry breed was also determined as the greater parental contributor to the Dexter. The inconsistency of estimation of admixture proportions between the methods highlights the potentially confounding role of genetic drift in shaping small population structure, and the consequences of accurately describing population histories from contemporary genetic data. [source] Stearoyl CoA desaturase (SCD) gene polymorphisms in Italian cattle breedsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 1 2008E. Milanesi Summary Stearoyl CoA desaturase (SCD) is the key enzyme involved in the endogenous synthesis of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in ruminants. Changes in the enzymatic activity as a result of SCD gene polymorphism and regulation have been hypothesized to cause diet-independent variations of CLA content in milk. Evidences for the direct influence of SCD polymorphism on fatty acid composition of milk and beef have also been reported. To evaluate genetic differences because of breed and/or selection goal, we investigated the polymorphism of three previously reported single nucleotide polymorphisms located in exon 5 of the SCD gene in 11 cattle breeds raised in Italy and selected for different production goals. Results obtained: (i) evidenced a high variability in the allele frequencies across breeds; (ii) detected three novel haplotypes, one of which is private to indigenous beef breeds, and (iii) showed a significant association between haplotypes and selective goal. [source] Tuscany autochthonous cattle breeds: an original genetic resource investigated by AFLP markersJOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 1 2006R. Negrini Summary The aim of this study was to assess the genetic diversity of four autochthonous cattle breeds of Tuscany and their relationships in comparison with Italian Friesian and Italian Brown, using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. A total of 212 individuals were genotyped with three primer combinations generating 102 polymorphic markers. Average expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.23 in Mucca Pisana to 0.26 in Chianina, Italian Friesian, Italian Brown and Maremmana. The differences resulted not significant (Kruskall,Wallis test, p = 0.416). Gst-B index revealed that 86% of the total genetic variance is retained within population and only 14% is accounted by the between populations component. Multivariate analysis at individual and population level indicated that: (i) Calvana and Chianina are quite separate from the other breeds as an effect of the bottleneck experienced or as a signature of different origin; (ii) Podolian, Maremmana and Italian Brown clustered with the double purpose Mucca Pisana, revealing their contribution to its admixed genetic make up; (iii) Italian Friesian behaved always as out group. The ,analysis of molecular variance' recovered a significant subdivision clustering the six populations into three groups: Italian Friesian and Italian Brown versus Maremmana and Mucca Pisana versus Chianina and Calvana (6% of the total variance). [source] Molecular cloning and characterization of bovine PRKAG3 gene: structure, expression and single nucleotide polymorphism detectionJOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 5 2005S.L. Yu Summary The protein kinase adenosine monophosphate-activated ,3-subunit (PRKAG3) gene encodes a muscle-specific isoform of the regulatory gamma-subunit of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, which plays a key role in regulating energy homeostasis in eucaryotes. It is well known that mutations in the PRKAG3 gene affect high glycogen content in the porcine skeletal muscle and, consequently, meat quality. The genomic structure and sequence of the bovine PRKAG3 were analysed from a Korean cattle BAC clone. The bovine PRKAG3 gene comprises 13 exons and spans approximately 6.8 kb on BTA2. From 5, and 3,-rapid amplification of cDNA ends experiments, the full-length cDNA of bovine PRKAG3 has been identified, encoding a deduced protein of 465 amino acids. Two splice isoforms, generated by the alternative splicing of exon 2, were also identified. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that, similar to other species, the bovine PRKAG3 transcript was only expressed in skeletal muscle. Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms, including two previously identified variants, were detected in four Bos taurus cattle breeds. The bovine PRKAG3 gene described in this study may be involved in muscle-related genetic diseases or meat quality traits in cattle. [source] Genetic structure and differentiation of 12 African Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle breeds, inferred from protein and microsatellite polymorphismsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 1 2005E.M. Ibeagha-Awemu Summary Level of genetic differentiation, gene flow and genetic structuring of nine Bos indicus and three Bos taurus cattle breeds in Cameroon and Nigeria were estimated using the genetic information from 16 microsatellite, five blood protein and seven milk protein markers. The global heterozygote deficit across all populations (Fit) amounted to 11.7% (p < 0.001). The overall significant (p < 0.001) deficit of heterozygotes because of inbreeding within breeds (Fis) amounted to 6.1%. The breeds were moderately differentiated (Fst = 6%, p < 0.001) with all loci except CSN1S2 contributing significantly to the Fst value. The 12 populations belong to two genetic clusters, a zebu and a taurine cluster. While inferred sub-clusters within the taurine group corresponded extremely well to predefined breed categorizations, no real sub-clusters, corresponding to predefined breeds, existed within the zebu cluster. With the application of prior population information, cluster analysis achieved posterior probabilities from 0.962 to 0.994 of correctly assigning individuals to their rightful populations. High gene flow was evident between the zebu populations. Positive and negative implications of the observed genetic structure of the breeds on their development, improvement and conservation are discussed. The study shows that the breeds are threatened by uncontrolled breeding and therefore are at risk to become genetically uniform in the future. This situation can be avoided by putting in place effective breeding and management measures aimed at limiting uncontrolled mating between the breeds and to preserve special characteristics, genetic as well as breed biodiversity. The first step towards realizing these goals might be to geographically demarcate the breeds. [source] Analysis of two Chinese yak (Bos grunniens) populations using bovine microsatellite primersJOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 4 2003Wang Minqiang Summary Two Chinese domestic yak populations representing the Plateau type and the Huanhu Alpine type were analysed with 12 bovine microsatellite primers. All primer pairs functioned in the yak genome and polymorphism was found at all loci. The allele size ranges and frequencies of the two yak populations were similar and there was considerable overlap with the allele size ranges observed in cattle. Data for European cattle breeds was obtained from the Cattle Diversity Database (CaDBase) to interpret the heterozygosity and genetic distance estimates in yak populations. Heterozygosity estimated for the two yak populations was comparable with that of European cattle while Nei's Genetic Distance DA between the two yak populations was less than distances between the most closely related German cattle breeds. Bovine microsatellite primers proved to be a valuable tool for characterization of yak populations. Zusammenfassung Untersuchungen von zwei chinesischen Yak (Bos grunniens) Herden mittels Primersequenzen von Rindermikrosatelliten Primersequenzen von Rindermikrosatelliten wurden verwendet, um zwei chinesische Yak-Herden zu analysieren, eine vom Plateau-Typ und eine andere vom Huanhu-Bergtyp. Alle 12 Primerpaare führten zu polymorphen Amplifikationsprodukten mit den DNA-Proben der Yaks. Der Allelgrößenbereich und die Allelfrequenzen aller 12 Marker waren in den beiden Yak-Herden sehr ähnlich. Zum Vergleich wurden Typisierungsergebnisse der 12 Mikrosatellitengenorte von 15 europäischen Rinderassen aus der Rinderdiversitätsdatenbank CaDBase entnommen. Ein großer Teil der Yak-Allele hatte die gleiche Größe wie beim Rind und auch der geschätzte Heterozygotiegrad der beiden Yak-Populationen war vergleichbar mit dem durchschnittlichen Heterozygotiegrad der 15 Rinderrassen. Die genetische Distanz (Nei's DA) zwischen beiden Yak-Herden wurde jedoch geringer geschätzt als zwischen zwei Paaren eng verwandter Rinderrassen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Sequenzinformationen von Rindermikrosatellitenprimern für die Charakterisierung von Yak-Populationen auf der molekularen Ebene nützlich sein können. [source] Simultaneous genotyping to detect myostatin gene polymorphism in beef cattle breedsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 6 2002M. E. Miranda Summary The myostatin gene codes for a growth factor involved in muscle development, and polymorphism in this gene can have important economic consequences. Nine mutations affecting the amino-acidic sequence have already been described, six of which are disruptive, inactivating the protein and causing bovine muscular hypertrophy. As the number of known mutations grows, it is necessary to develop a simple, routinely usable technique able to screen individuals in all populations. The oligonucleotide ligation assay (OLA) is proposed here for the rapid genotyping of the nine mutations known affecting the coding sequence in the main breeds of beef cattle. This technique showed its ability to reveal the genotype of individuals being a good tool to determine the frequency of each mutation in a population. The procedure is very flexible as new mutations can be added and removed at any time. Depending on the genotype of each individual, the technique allows breeders to make quick decisions on matings and general selection tendencies. Zusammenfassung Simultane Genotypisierung von Polymorphismen im Myostatin-Gen in Fleischrinderrassen Das Myostatin-Gen kodiert für einen Wachstumsfaktor, der in die Muskelentwicklung eingebunden ist und Polymorphismen in diesem Gen können daher wichtige ökonomische Konsequenzen haben. Bisher wurden neun Mutationen, die Auswirkungen auf die Aminosäuresequenz haben, beschrieben. Sechs davon inaktivieren das Protein und verursachen bovine muskuläre Hypertrophie. Da die Anzahl der bekannten Mutationen in diesem Gen steigt, ist es notwendig, eine einfache, in der Routine einsetzbare Methode zu entwickeln, um Individuen in allen Populationen untersuchen zu können. Zur schnellen Genotypisierung der neun bekannten Mutationen, welche die kodierende Sequenz in den Hauptfleischrinderrassen betreffen, wird hier der Oligo-Ligationsassay (OLA) vorgeschlagen. Durch diese Technik ist es möglich, den Genotyp jedes Individuums und die Frequenz jeder einzelnen Mutation in der Population festzustellen. Die Prozedur ist sehr flexibel, da zu jedem Zeitpunkt neue Mutationen hinzugefügt bzw. weggelassen werden können. Diese Methode erlaubt dem Züchter, in Abhängigkeit vom Genotyp jedes Individiums schnelle Entscheidungen über die Anpaarung und die allgemeine Selektionsrichtung zu treffen. [source] Volatile Compounds of Raw Beef from 5 Local Spanish Cattle Breeds Stored Under Modified AtmosphereJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 4 2002K. Insausti ABSTRACT Volatile compounds of raw beef from Asturiana de los Valles, Morucha, Parda Alpina, Pirenaica, and Retinta cattle breeds were studied. Steaks were packaged under 60% O2, 30% CO2, and 10% N2, and 53 volatile compounds were tentatively identified by purge-and-trap extraction and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry after 0, 5, 10, and 15 d of chill storage. The degradation of beef quality with increasing storage time was evidenced by the increase in 2,3,3-trimethylpentane, 2,2,5-trimethylhexane, 3-octene, 3-methyl-2-heptene, 2-octene, and 2-propanone and by the decrease in dimethyl sulfide. Consequently, some of the volatile compounds, which are believed to be formed by thermal degradation of meat, might be formed during chill storage, and the rate of formation of some was dependent on the specific compound. [source] Geographic distribution and frequency of a taurine Bos taurus and an indicine Bos indicus Y specific allele amongst sub-Saharan African cattle breedsMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2000O. Hanotte Abstract We report for the first time, and for the whole of sub-Saharan Africa, the geographical distribution and the frequency of an indicine and a taurine Y specific allele amongst African cattle breeds. A total of 984 males from 69 indigenous African populations from 22 countries were analysed at the microsatellite locus INRA 124. The taurine allele is probably the oldest one on the continent. However, the taurine and the indicine alleles were present in 291 males (30%), and 693 males (70%), respectively. More particularly, 96% of zebu males (n = 470), 50% of taurine males (n = 263), 29% of sanga males (crossbreed Bos taurus × Bos indicus, n = 263) and 95% of zebu × sanga crossbred males (n = 56) had the indicine allele. The Borgou, a breed classified as zebu × taurine cross showed only the zebu allele (n = 12). The indicine allele dominates today in the Abyssinian region, a large part of the Lake Victoria region and the sahelian belt of West Africa. All the sanga males (n = 64) but only one from the Abyssinian region had the indicine allele. The taurine allele is the commonest only among the sanga breeds of the southern African region and the trypanotolerant taurine breeds of West Africa. In West Africa and in the southern Africa regions, zones of introgression were detected with breeds showing both Y chromosome alleles. Our data also reveal a pattern of male zebu introgression in Mozambique and Zimbabwe, probably originating from the Mozambique coast. The sanga cattle from the Lake Victoria region and the Kuri cattle of Lake Chad, cattle populations surrounded by zebu breeds were, surprisingly, completely devoid of the indicine allele. Human migration, phenotypic preferences by the pastoralists, adaptation to specific habitats and to specific diseases are the main factors explaining the present-day distribution of the alleles in sub-Saharan Africa. [source] Global geographies of innovation diffusion: the case of the Australian cattle industryTHE GEOGRAPHICAL JOURNAL, Issue 1 2010MATTHEW TONTS The geographies and histories of the introduction of cattle breeds to Australia in the period since white settlement are documented as an example of the diffusion of agricultural innovations. Three phases of development are identified: a colonial expansion phase from the late eighteenth to the early twentieth century during which a number of primarily British cattle breeds were imported by the colonial settlers; an innovative phase in the mid twentieth century when both governments and private interests sought to produce or import new breeds deemed to be better adapted to Australian environments; and a multifunctional phase in recent decades. In this final phase, government deregulation and new technologies, such as the long distance transport of genetic packages, have facilitated the importation and development of many new cattle breeds in Australia. While this has produced a significant rise in the total number of breeds represented nationally, many recent and historic breeds currently exhibit extremely small numbers and a few generally well-established breeds such as Holstein, Hereford and Angus still dominate the national herd. This study of changing breed types and introductions provides some evidence of post-productivism and of a multifunctional transition in that several cattle breeds favoured by hobby farmers and boutique breeders are now represented, but the aggregate numbers for these breeds remain small and the numbers for several of the traditional (or colonial) breeds are currently in decline. Overall, it is apparent that Australia's cattle industry retains a strongly productivist ethos and that, particularly given the country's very great environmental variation, its levels of breed diversity remain low. [source] The evolution of tropical adaptation: comparing taurine and zebu cattleANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 5 2010E. K. F. Chan Summary Beef cattle breeds consist of three major genetic subdivisions. The taurine group is adapted to temperate environments, and the zebu and Sanga groups are both adapted to tropical environments. With the advent of genotyping and sequencing technologies in agriculture, genome-wide exploration of the genetic basis for the differences in tropical adaptation has only just become possible. In this study, approximately 9000 single nucleotide polymorphism markers were genotyped on 317 animals of a selection of taurine, zebu, and composite breeds to characterize any systematic differences between these groups. We identified 91 intra-breed-class markers; 78 were polymorphic only within the zebu animals, while 13 were polymorphic only in the taurine animals. There were no fixed differences (fixed for alternate alleles between the two breed types) between zebu and taurine animals. We found 14 regions with significantly different allele frequencies between zebu and taurine animals indicative of variable selection pressure or genetic drift. We also found 12 independent regions of differential extended haplotype homozygosity (EHH), indicative of recent selection or rapid fixation of the alternate allele within a short period of time in one of the two breed classes. A preliminary functional genomics analysis of these regions pointed towards signatures of tropical attributes including keratins, heat-shock proteins and heat resistance genes. We anticipate this investigation to be a stepping-stone for future studies to identify genomic regions specific to the two cattle groups, and to subsequently assist in the discrimination between temperate and tropically adapted cattle. [source] Discovery, validation and characterization of 1039 cattle single nucleotide polymorphismsANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 4 2010R. Donthu Summary We identified ,13 000 putative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by comparison of repeat-masked BAC-end sequences from the cattle RPCI-42 BAC library with whole-genome shotgun contigs of cattle genome assembly Btau 1.0. Genotyping of a subset of these SNPs was performed on a panel containing 186 DNA samples from 18 cattle breeds including 43 trios. Of 1039 SNPs confirmed as polymorphic in the panel, 998 had minor allele frequency ,0.25 among unrelated individuals of at least one breed. When Btau 4.0 became available, 974 of these validated SNPs were assigned in silico to known cattle chromosomes, while 41 SNPs were mapped to unassigned sequence scaffolds, yielding one SNP every ,3 Mbp on average. Twenty-four SNPs identified in Btau 1.0 were not mapped to Btau 4.0. Of the 1015 SNPs mapped to Btau 4.0, 959 SNPs had nucleotide bases identical in Btau 4.0 and Btau 1.0 contigs, whereas 56 bases were changed, resulting in the loss of the in silico SNP in Btau 4.0. Because these 1039 SNPs were all directly confirmed by genotyping on the multi-breed panel, it is likely that the original polymorphisms were correctly identified. The 1039 validated SNPs identified in this study represent a new and useful resource for genome-wide association studies and applications in animal breeding. [source] Genetic heterogeneity at the bovine KIT gene in cattle breeds carrying different putative alleles at the spotting locusANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 3 2010L. Fontanesi Summary According to classical genetic studies, piebaldism in cattle is largely influenced by the allelic series at the spotting locus (S), which includes the SH (Hereford pattern), S+ (non-spotted) and s (spotted) alleles. The S locus was mapped on bovine chromosome 6 in the region containing the KIT gene. We investigated the KIT gene, analysing its variability and haplotype distribution in cattle of three breeds (Angus, Hereford and Holstein) with different putative alleles (S+, SH and s respectively) at the S locus. Resequencing of a whole of 0.485 Mb revealed 111 polymorphisms. The global nucleotide diversity was 0.087%. Tajima's D- values were negative for all breeds, indicating putative directional selection. Of the 28 inferred haplotypes, only five were observed in the Hereford breed, in which one was the most frequent. Coalescent simulation showed that it is highly unlikely (P < 10E-6) to obtain this low number of haplotypes conditionally on the observed number of segregating SNPs. Therefore, the neutral model could be rejected for the Hereford breed, suggesting that a selection sweep occurred at the KIT locus. Twelve haplotypes were inferred in Holstein and Angus. For these two breeds, the neutral model could not be rejected. High heterogeneity of the KIT gene was confirmed from a phylogenetic analysis. Our results suggest a role of the KIT gene in determining the SH allele(s) in the Hereford, but no evidence of selective sweep was obtained in Holstein, suggesting that complex mechanisms (or other genes) might be the cause of the spotted phenotype in this breed. [source] A shared 336 kb haplotype associated with the belt pattern in three divergent cattle breedsANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 3 2010C. Drögemüller Summary We recently mapped the belt mutation in Brown Swiss cattle to a 922 kb interval on BTA3. In this study, we analysed two additional cattle breeds with the belted phenotype: Galloway and Dutch Belted (Lakenvelder). By genotyping microsatellites in solid-coloured and belted Galloways, we confirmed that the belt mutation in Galloways is strongly associated with the same chromosomal locus as in Brown Swiss cattle. Subsequently, we analysed 36 SNPs in the belt interval in three breeds. We identified a single belt-associated haplotype for each of the analysed breeds. The three breed-specific belt haplotypes share alleles in four blocks. Three of these blocks comprise only one single or two consecutive markers, while the largest shared haplotype block encompasses nine consecutive SNPs in a 336 kb interval. The large shared haplotype across divergent breeds suggests a common mutation for the belt phenotype in all three breeds. We identified a potential candidate gene within this interval coding for the developmental transcription factor HES6. We re-sequenced the complete HES6 coding sequence in belted and solid-coloured cattle but did not find belt-associated polymorphisms. In conclusion, our data provide strong evidence in favour of a common founder for the belt phenotype in different cattle breeds and have resulted in an improved fine-mapping of the causative mutation. [source] Genetic structure of Eurasian cattle (Bos taurus) based on microsatellites: clarification for their breed classification,ANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 2 2010M.-H. Li Summary We pool three previously published data sets and present population genetic analyses of microsatellite variation in 48 Bos taurus cattle breeds from a wide range of geographical origins in Eurasia, mostly its northern territory. Bayesian model-based clustering reveals six distinct clusters: besides a single-population cluster of the Yakutian Cattle from Far Eastern Siberia and a cluster of breeds characteristic of an early origin, the other four major clusters largely correspond to previously defined morphological subgroups of Red Lowland, Lowland Black-Pied, Longhorned Dairy and North European Polled cattle breeds. The results highlighted past expansion events of the productive breeds such as Danish Red, Angeln, Holstein-Friesian and Ayrshire in northern and Eastern Europe. Based on genetic assignment of the breeds and the availability of breed information, we provide a preliminary classification of the five breeds that were to date undefined. Furthermore, in the analysis of molecular variance, despite some correspondence between geographical proximity and genetic similarity, the breed classification appears to be a better predictor of genetic structure in the cattle populations (the among-group variance component: breed classification, 2.47%, P < 0.001; geographical division, 0.77%, P < 0.001). [source] Indels within promoter and intron 1 of bovine prion protein gene modulate the gene expression levels in the medulla oblongata of two Japanese cattle breedsANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 2 2010G. Msalya Summary Genetic differences which exist in the prion protein gene (PRNP) have been reported to influence susceptibility of humans, sheep and goats to prion diseases. In cattle, however, none of the known coding polymorphisms has a direct effect on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). It has been reported that 23-bp insertion/deletion (indel) polymorphisms within the promoter region have a tentative association to BSE susceptibility in German cattle, and a lower number of 24-bp repeat units in the open reading frame (ORF) was reported to reduce BSE susceptibility in transgenic mice. In this study, because of the hypothesis that bovine PRNP promoter polymorphisms cause changes in PRNP expression, we genotyped PRNP polymorphisms in the promoter and intron 1 using 218 genomic DNA samples from two Japanese cattle breeds. We also analysed the expression levels of prion in 40 animals by quantification of real-time PCR using mRNAs extracted from the medulla oblongata to study the relationship between PRNP genotypes and PRNP expression. We found a significant correlation between promoter indel polymorphisms and PRNP -mRNA expression (P0.0413) and therefore hypothesize that differences in polymorphisms could be one of the causes of differences in PRNP expression levels. We also report a novel difference in PRNP expression (P < 0.0001) between Japanese Black and Japanese Brown cattle breeds. There was no significant difference based on age and sex of the animals. [source] Assessment of selection mapping near the myostatin gene (GDF-8) in cattleANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 5 2009P. Wiener Summary Domestic species provide a unique opportunity to examine the effects of selection on the genome. The myostatin gene (GDF-8) has been under strong selection in a number of cattle breeds because of its influence on muscle conformation and association with the ,double-muscling' phenotype. This study examined genetic diversity near this gene in a set of breeds including some nearly fixed for the allele associated with double-muscling (MH), some where the allele is segregating at intermediate frequency and some where the allele is absent. A set of microsatellites and SNPs were used to examine patterns of diversity at the centromeric end of bovine chromosome 2, the region where GDF-8 is located, using various statistical methods. The putative position of a selected gene was moved across the genomic region to determine, by regression, a best position of reduced heterozygosity. Additional analyses examined extended homozygous regions and linkage disequilibrium patterns. While the SNP data was not found to be very informative for selection mapping in this dataset, analyses of the microsatellite data provided evidence of selection on GDF-8 in several breeds. These results suggested that, of the breeds examined, the allele was most recently introduced into the South Devon. Limitations to the selection-mapping approach were highlighted from the analysis of the SNP data and the situation where the MH allele was at intermediate frequency. [source] Characterization and genetic analysis of bovine ,s1 -casein I variantANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 4 2009G. Lühken Summary The aim of this study was to identify the molecular genetic origin underlying the I variant of ,s1 -casein and to develop a DNA-based test for this polymorphism as a tool for genetic analyses independent of milk sample testing. All coding exons and flanking regions of the ,s1 -casein gene were sequenced in DNA samples from cattle of known ,s1 -casein genotypes (BI, CI, II, CC), determined by isoelectric focusing of milk samples. A nucleotide substitution (A>T) in exon 11 (g.19836A>T) leads to the exchange of Glu with Asp at amino acid position 84 of the mature protein (p.Glu84Asp) and perfectly co-segregated with the presence of the ,s1 -casein I variant in the milk of the analysed animals. Genotyping of a total of 680 DNA samples from 31 Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle breeds and from Bos grunniens, Bison bison and Bison bonasus by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis revealed the occurrence of Asp at position 84 at low frequencies in Bos taurus and Bos indicus breeds and established its origin from the ,s1 -casein C variant (p.Glu192Gly). Ten different intragenic haplotypes in the gene region from intron 8 to intron 12 were observed by sequencing, of which two occurred in Bison bison and one in Bison bonasus only. Using available casein gene complex information, an association of Asp at position 84 to ,-casein A2 and ,-casein B was shown in the Bos indicus breed Banyo Gudali. Taken together, we can postulate that the ,s1 -casein variant I is caused by a non-synonymous nucleotide substitution in exon 11 of the gene and that it originated within Bos indicus and spread to Bos taurus subsequently. [source] Discovery, characterization and validation of single nucleotide polymorphisms within 206 bovine genes that may be considered as candidate genes for beef production and qualityANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 4 2009J. L. Williams Summary A large number of putative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified from the bovine genome-sequencing project. However, few of these have been validated and many will turn out to be sequencing artefacts or have low minor allele frequencies. In addition, there is little information available on SNPs within coding regions, which are likely to be responsible for phenotypic variation. Therefore, additional SNP discovery is necessary to identify and validate polymorphisms both in specific genes and genome-wide. Sequence-tagged sites within 286 genes were resequenced from a panel of animals representing a wide range of European cattle breeds. For 80 genes, no polymorphisms were identified, and 672 putative SNPs were identified within 206 genes. Fifteen European cattle breeds (436 individuals plus available parents) were genotyped with these putative SNPs, and 389 SNPs were confirmed to have minor allele frequencies above 10%. The genes containing SNPs were localized on chromosomes by radiation hybrid mapping and on the bovine genome sequence by Blast. Flanking microsatellite loci were identified, to facilitate the alignment of the genes containing the SNPs in relation to mapped quantitative trait loci. Of the 672 putative SNPs discovered in this work, only 11 were found among the validated SNPs and 100 were found among the approximately 2.3 million putative SNPs currently in dbSNP. The genes studied in this work could be considered as candidates for traits associated with beef production and the SNPs reported will help to assess the role of the genes in the genetic control of muscle development and meat quality. The allele frequency data presented allows the general utility of the SNPs to be assessed. [source] Fine mapping of quantitative trait loci for mastitis resistance on bovine chromosome 11ANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 4 2009N. F. Schulman Summary Quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting clinical mastitis (CM) and somatic cell score (SCS) were mapped on bovine chromosome 11. The mapping population consisted of 14 grandsire families belonging to three Nordic red cattle breeds: Finnish Ayrshire (FA), Swedish Red and White (SRB) and Danish Red. The families had previously been shown to segregate for udder health QTL. A total of 524 progeny tested bulls were included in the analysis. A linkage map including 33 microsatellite and five SNP markers was constructed. We performed combined linkage disequilibrium and linkage analysis (LDLA) using the whole data set. Further analyses were performed for FA and SRB separately to study the origin of the identified QTL/haplotype and to examine if it was common in both populations. Finally, different two-trait models were fitted. These postulated either a pleiotropic QTL affecting both traits; two linked QTL, each affecting one trait; or one QTL affecting a single trait. A QTL affecting CM was fine-mapped. In FA, a haplotype having a strong association with a high negative effect on mastitis resistance was identified. The mapping precision of an earlier detected SCS-QTL was not improved by the LDLA analysis because of lack of linkage disequilibrium between the markers used and the QTL in the region. [source] Development of a 25-plex SNP assay for traceability in cattleANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 3 2009B. Karniol Summary Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are amenable to automation and therefore have become the marker of choice for DNA profiling. SNaPshot, a primer extension-based method, was used to multiplex 25 SNPs that have been previously validated as useful for identity control. Detection of extended products was based on four different fluorochromes and extension primers with oligonucleotide tails of differing lengths, thus controlling the concise length of the entire chromatogram to 81 bases. Allele frequencies for Holstein, Simmental, Limousin, Angus, Charolais and Tux Cattle were estimated and significant positive Pearson-correlation coefficients were obtained among the analysed breeds. The probability that two randomly unrelated individuals would share identical genotypes for all 25 loci varied from 10,8 to 10,10 for these breeds. For parentage control, the exclusion power was found to be 99.9% when the genotypes of both putative parents are known. A traceability test of duplicated samples indicated a high genotyping precision of >0.998. This was further corroborated by analysis of 60 cases of parent,sib pairs and trio families. The 25-plex SNaPshot assay is adapted for low- and high-throughput capacity and thus presents an alternative for DNA-based traceability in the major commercial cattle breeds. [source] A genome map of divergent artificial selection between Bos taurus dairy cattle and Bos taurus beef cattleANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 2 2009B. J. Hayes Summary A number of cattle breeds have become highly specialized for milk or beef production, following strong artificial selection for these traits. In this paper, we compare allele frequencies from 9323 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers genotyped in dairy and beef cattle breeds averaged in sliding windows across the genome, with the aim of identifying divergently selected regions of the genome between the production types. The value of the method for identifying selection signatures was validated by four sources of evidence. First, differences in allele frequencies between dairy and beef cattle at individual SNPs were correlated with the effects of those SNPs on production traits. Secondly, large differences in allele frequencies generally occurred in the same location for two independent data sets (correlation 0.45) between sliding window averages. Thirdly, the largest differences in sliding window average difference in allele frequencies were found on chromosome 20 in the region of the growth hormone receptor gene, which carries a mutation known to have an effect on milk production traits in a number of dairy populations. Finally, for the chromosome tested, the location of selection signatures between dairy and beef cattle was correlated with the location of selection signatures within dairy cattle. [source] Genetic variation in BoLA microsatellite loci in Portuguese cattle breedsANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 1 2009C. Bastos-Silveira Summary Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) typing based on microsatellites can be a valuable approach to understanding the selective processes occurring at linked or physically close MHC genes and can provide important information on variability and relationships of populations. Using microsatellites within or in close proximity with bovine lymphocyte antigen (BoLA) genes, we investigated the polymorphisms in the bovine MHC, known as the BoLA, in eight Portuguese cattle breeds. Additional data from non-BoLA microsatellite loci were also used to compare the variability between these regions. Diversity was higher in BoLA than in non-BoLA microsatellites, as could be observed by the number of alleles, allelic richness and observed heterozygosity. Brava de Lide, a breed selected for aggressiveness and nobility, presented the lowest values of observed heterozygosity and allelic richness in both markers. Results from neutrality tests showed few statistically significant differences between the observed Hardy,Weinberg homozygosity (F) and the expected homozygosity (FE), indicating the apparent neutrality of the BoLA microsatellites within the analysed breeds. Nevertheless, we detected a trend of lower values of observed homozygosity compared with the expected one. We also detected some differences in the levels of allelic variability among the four BoLA microsatellites. Our data showed a higher number of alleles at the BoLA-DRB3 locus than at the BoLA-DRBP1 locus. These differences could be related to their physical position in the chromosome and may reflect functional requirements for diversity. [source] Genetic diversity and population structure of indigenous yellow cattle breeds of China using 30 microsatellite markersANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 6 2007G. X. Zhang Summary Twenty-seven domesticated yellow cattle breeds of China and three introduced cattle breeds were analysed by means of 30 microsatellite markers to determine the level of genetic variation within and among populations as well as the population structure. In all, 480 microsatellite alleles were observed across the 30 breeds with the mean number of alleles per locus of 9.093 for native breeds and 6.885 for the three introduced breeds. Mean F -statistics (0.08) for Chinese native cattle breeds implied that 92% of the total genetic variation was from genetic differentiation within each breed and 8% of the genetic variation existed among breeds. A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on Nei's genetic distances, and three clusters were obtained. According to the tree, the three introduced breeds were distinct from the 27 native breeds. The indigenous cattle breeds were divided into two clusters, one cluster including five humpless breeds and the other cluster containing 22 humped breeds. This study identifies multiple origins of yellow cattle of China from Bos taurus and Bos indicus. Furthermore, population structure analysis implies that there are possibly five independent original domestications for yellow cattle in China. Four of five origins were four different Bos indicus types, mainly in areas of the Chang Jiang, the Zhu Jiang River basin, the Yellow River and the Huai River basin. The other origin was for Bos taurus type of Mongolian descent, mainly located in Northwestern China, the Mongolian plateau and Northeastern China or north of the Great Wall. [source] Feasibility and utility of microsatellite markers in archaeological cattle remains from a Viking Age settlement in DublinANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 6 2003C. J. Edwards Summary Nineteen cattle bones from the Viking 10th and early 11th century levels in Dublin were assessed for presence of reliable genotypes from three autosomal markers. Due to the good preservational condition of the samples, it was possible to amplify and type at least two out of three of the microsatellite markers (CSRM60, HEL1 and ILSTS001) in 11 specimens. Full three-loci genotypes were obtained from a subset of seven of these samples. A comparative analysis was performed using data from the same three markers in 11 extant British, Irish and Nordic cattle breeds. Although the medieval remains displayed lower levels of diversity than the modern European breeds, the results fit within the ranges obtained from the extant populations. The results indicate a probable origin for the ancient Irish cattle as the remains group significantly more closely with breeds from the British Isles than with those from Scandinavia. The data collected indicate that microsatellites may be useful for the further study of ancient cattle. [source] Bovine melanocortin receptor 4: cDNA sequence, polymorphisms and mappingANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 4 2001A. Haegeman A cDNA encoding the bovine melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) was cloned and sequenced. Comparing human, pig and rat homologues showed a 87, 85 and 89% identity on the DNA level, respectively, and over 90% on the protein level. The bovine MC4R gene was mapped to BTU 24 by radiation hybrid mapping. Two nucleotide changes were identified by single stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and sequencing. The substitutions proved to be a T to C and G (allele B) to A (allele A) resulting, respectively, in a conservative valine to alanine substitution (Val 145 Ala) and an alanine to threonine (Ala 172 Thr). Using PCR-RFLP, 13 different cattle breeds were screened for the presence of the Ala 172 Thr substitution. With the exception of one Red Pied animal, allele A could only be detected in Red Holstein animals. [source] | ||||||||||